Can I give my small senior dog OTC meds for severe arthritis pain?

Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that I would recommend - while aspirin can be given to dogs it has a high risk for causing stomach ulcers with even a couple of doses and it will limit what your vet might be able to prescribe. While you could consider starting a gluocosamine supplement or fish oil it won't work right away. I think your best bet is to wait until you see your vet. If you feel Rufus is truly painful then you could see an emergency vet. tonight.

Unfortunately there are not OTC pain relievers you can give Kira. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal to dogs. If she is in a lot of pain, I'd take her into an ER vet now to get her safe pain medications. Best of luck.

Hi there. There are many prescription medications that are safe and effective for arthritis pain in dogs, so I would encourage you to take Abby to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can discuss some options with you and get her started on an NSAID or appropriate pain medication to help make her more comfortable. In the meantime, you can try starting her on a daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplement such as Dasuquin or Cosequin, as well as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement like Welactin - both of these are very safe, and have been shown to help with arthritis in dogs. These can be purchased over the counter or ordered online without a prescription.

Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that are safe for dogs. I would recommend discussing with your veterinarian if there is something you can switch him to that is more cost effective and still approved for use in dogs. You can also check into online pharmacies or box stores (such as Costco) that offer pet medications at a lower price.

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.

Poor Willow! Unfortunately no, there are no safe effective over-the-counter pain medications for dogs. The best thing to do for her is minimize her activity and keep her quiet until she can get to the vet. If she needs help getting around, you can loop a towel under her tummy to use as a sling and take some of the weight off her legs. I would discourage even giving aspirin, as anything you give may interfere with the medications your vet may start tomorrow. If her pain level is excessive and you feel she can't wait that long, the next best thing would be to take her to the nearest emergency vet. I know it's hard to see our pets in pain! Hope she feels better soon.

Unfortunately there are no safe OTC pain medications for dogs. Many are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. In addition, aspirin should never be given to dogs, it causes GI ulcers and bleeding. The only safe pain medications for dogs are prescription from the vet. If Bear is in pain, you will need to take him into the vet to get pain meds. Best of luck.