Aspirin For Dogs: What Are The Side Effects and Alternatives?

Nali Macklin - March 11th 2020

When we see our dog in pain, it's natural for us to want to take immediate action to help them feel better.

Before you grab your dog aspirin from the medicine cabinet, STOP.

Dogs should never be given human medication except under the direction of a veterinarian. The results can be hazardous and even fatal in some cases.

What is Aspirin
Dosage Of Asprin
Side Effects Of Asprin
Cost Of Asprin
How does Aspirin interact with other drugs?
Are there any Alternatives to Aspirin?

What is Aspirin?

Aspirin is a widely used over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

As Aspirin is so readily available, people often ask the question: can I give my dog Aspirin?

In some cases, vet's may prescribe Aspirin for dogs suffering from a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal inflammation.

Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the pain and swelling from many ailments.

Dosage of Aspirin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved Aspirin for use; therefore, there is no definitive research to determine the proper dosage of Aspirin for dogs.

Overdoses of Aspirin can be fatal, so you should always talk to your vet and confirm the dosage before giving it to your dog.

As a general guideline, you can use the following table to determine the recommended dosage.

Dog’s Weight	Aspirin Dosage
5 (or less) lbs.	25-50 mg.
5-10 lbs.	50-100 mg.
10-20 lbs.	100-200 mg.
20-40 lbs.	200-400 mg.
40-60 lbs.	300-600 mg.
60-80 lbs.	400-800 mg.
80 (or more) lbs.	500-1000 mg.

Side effects of Aspirin

If your dog is displaying one or more of the following symptoms, immediately stop giving your dog aspirin and contact your vet.

Vomiting
Diarrhea or black, tarry stool
Mucosal erosion
Ulceration
Change in appetite

The following symptoms could indicate an Aspirin overdose:

Liver or kidney disease
Acid-based abnormalities
Hemorrhage
Seizure
Coma
Death

Aspirin can have more severe side effects than other NSAIDs, so you must watch your dog closely while they are taking this medication.

Cost of Aspirin

You can buy and administer Aspirin to your dog in different forms, such as tablets, chewable, or liquid drops. The price will differ depending on the brand, dosage, and quantity per bottle.

The drug store or vet office you buy it from can also impact the difference in price.

How does Aspirin interact with other drugs?

As many drugs can have harmful interactions when taken with Aspirin, you may want to seek safer, natural alternatives. Here are few drugs which can have potentially harmful interactions with Aspirin:

Drug	Drug
ACE inhibitors	Alendronate
Aminoglycosides	Anticoagulants
Blood glucose-lowering agents	Calcium Channel Blockers
Carbonic Anhydrase inhibitors	Captopril
Corticosteroids	Digoxin
Enalapril	Furosemide
Gentamycin	Glucosamine
Heparin	Hyaluronidase
Insulin	Methotrexate
Oral Anticoagulants	Other NSAIDs
Pentosane Polysulfate Sodium	Phenobarbital
Probenecid	Propranolol
Spironolactone	SSRI antidepressants
Sulfinpyrazone	Tetracycline
Tiludronte	Urinary Acidifying
Urinary Alkalinizing	Valproate products
Vitamin E

If you are still planning to give your dog aspirin, it’s important to tell your vet about any medications (including supplements or vitamins) that your dog is taking to avoid potentially harmful side effects.

Are there any Alternatives to Aspirin?

Many studies show that CBD may be a viable alternative to pharmaceuticals for pain in dogs, including pain from arthritis, mobility issues, and inflammation.

One of the various side effects of Aspirin is seizures, unlike CBD, which has the potential to reduce the frequency of or even stop seizures.

Additionally, dogs who suffer from phobias, allergies, anxiety, and many other issues can potentially benefit from CBD.

Some dogs may experience side effects, including dry mouth, lowered blood pressure, or drowsiness, but these are all reversible by merely reducing the dosage or stopping.

In conclusion, CBD has the potential to help to relieve many ailments and improve the health and quality of life in dogs.