What safe natural pain relief can I give my dog for a sprain without side effects?

Dogs can experience pain from a variety of health conditions, including [osteoarthritis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/arthritis-1/),[ dental disease](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/dental-disease/), [urinary tract infections](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/utis-in-dogs/) or traumatic injuries, among many others. While it is extremely difficult to see our four-legged friends in pain, there are no safe and effective over-the-counter medications for managing pain in dogs (or cats). Over the counter pain relievers for humans, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve) are all toxic to animals. Aspirin should also not be given to dogs because it causes significant irritation and potential ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract, and it inhibits a dog’s ability to clot blood. If you think that your dog is in pain, your best bet is to take him to your veterinarian. After performing a [physical exam](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-does-your-veterinarian-look-for-during-a-physical-exam/), your veterinarian will be able to prescribe safe and effective medication. Only give pain medication to the pet for which it was prescribed due to risks with drug interactions, improper doses or contraindications with certain medical conditions. ### Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Galliprant is a registered trademark of Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.

Unfortunately there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs, as the ones we use in humans can cause liver toxicity and stomach ulcers. I would recommend consulting with your veterinarian for a pain medication. The most popular are NSAIDs such as carprofen, meloxicam, and deracoxib. For long term/mild Arthritis pain a glucosamine chondroitin joint supplement like Dasuquin can help but must be taken daily for about a month before results are seen.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If can only use one, the anti-inflammatory drug would be more useful in this scenario probably. There are no safe over the counter pain control medications that can be used without the guidance of a veterinarian. The pain is likely due to a combination of factors including arthritis and the abnormal bone growth you described. Good luck!

It's not recommended to use any human medication without it being prescribed by a vet first. That's because many human pain relievers are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I would have Bruno seen by a vet to get a safe pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for him.

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Phenoleptil is phenobarbital which is commonly used to help prevent seizure activity in dogs. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used such as Previcox (Firocoxib) or Deramaxx (Deracoxib). Rimadyl (Carprofen) should be avoided due to increased risk of liver toxicity. Opioid medications such as Tramadol are used with caution as these can cause increased sedation while on phenobarbital in some pets. Depending on what the cause of the pain may be, a drug such as Gabapentin which is typically used to neuropathic pain, may be a safe option. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Siri! It may take a few days for the pain medications to work. I personally do not cast simple strains or sprains, so I would be sure that is all it was and not a fracture. If in another day or 2 Siri isn't more comfortable I would call your Vet to ask if they can add additional pain medications. We can not recommend adding medications, especially with out knowing what you are currently giving her. Also dogs will whine due to the cast or bandage alone because they do not like it. If she does only have a simple strain then she should be better in not time. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are medications to help with back pain but none of them are over the counter unfortunately. The one thing you can do at home which is often times the most important component of medical therapy for back pain is rest him. This means limiting Buddy's activity to just walks to go to the bathroom but otherwise to keep him calm. I recommend that you have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian can prescribe pain control medications. Good luck and have a good night!