The last thing we want for any dog, especially our own pup, is for them to be in pain. It’s not only awful for them, it’s emotionally wrenching for pet parents.

But rest assured, we’re here to help you recognize the signs of dog discomfort and give you medication options and tips to ease their pain.

 

What Are the Signs Your Dog is in Pain?

This is when the dog / human language barrier serves up its greatest challenge.

As your pup can’t say “I’m hurting here,” and point to the area, there’s some detective work involved in figuring out what’s wrong.

Before we explore pain medications for dogs, you first need to know if your pup is in pain. The signs that usually indicate discomfort, often range from one to all of the following:

• Whimpering or whining

• Excessive barking or panting

• Reduced (or no) appetite

• Lethargy or listlessness

• Not into exercising

 

If your dog’s suddenly acting differently or their behavior shifts from cheerful and sprightly to sullen, oddly hyperactive, or aggressive and unfriendly — this often means there’s a problem or the onset of a chronic pain condition.

 

In some cases, acute pain (sharp and intense) can cause a dog’s heart rate to elevate, raising their blood pressure and speeding up breathing into panting-like, inhale-exhales. If your dog’s breathing seems hurried, or they’re wincing as they breathe, take them to your local vet asap.

Thankfully, most of us know our dog(s) pretty darn well, so we’re likely to notice signs of discomfort. Once we (or our trusted vet) figures out what’s causing the pain, it’s time to explore medication.

Pain Medicine for Dogs

As we’re not medical experts, we’ll leave the prescribing to your vet, but here are some common drugs used to reduce pain in dogs.

 

Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs Otherwise known as NSAIDs, help relieve pain by decreasing inflammation. While inflammation is a normal immune response to injury, or dog-body invaders, it can also become a chronic condition. One of the most prescribed NSAIDs for dogs is Galliprant®. Keep reading for a deeper dive on NSAIDs.

 

Super important: Even though ibuprofen and naproxen are also NSAIDs (given to humans) — they should never be given to your dog. Always consult with your vet before giving your dog a new pain med.

 

Opioids are typically reserved for more severe pain and they’re often prescribed after surgery. They work by limiting pain perception in the brain. We’ll touch more on this later.   

 

Gabapentin (or similar) affects a dog’s nervous system by limiting pain-signal perception.

 

Supplements are often natural, available over the counter, and used for mild to moderate pain. In some treatment plans, they’re recommended in tandem with prescribed pain meds.

 

What if Your Dog Can’t Tolerate Medication?

If this happens, you really have no choice but to honor your dog’s body chemistry. Fortunately for your pup, there are some great alternative options to pain meds:

• Physical therapy

• Acupuncture

• Chiropractic manipulation

• Lifestyle adjustments

What are NSAIDs for Dogs?

Our brief intro to NSAIDs gave you the basics. Now we’ll make you an expert, starting with how NSAIDs work.

NSAIDs reduce your dog’s bodily response to inflammation which helps alleviate pain. They can be a real dogsend for pups dealing with osteoarthritis or the gradual loss of cartilage, the buffer between their joints.

 

As mentioned, certain NSAIDs are approved by the FDA for safe use in dogs but ibuprofen isn’t one of them. It’s important — more like crucial — to only give your dog vet-approved NSAIDs. 

A Few Things to Note About NSAIDs

 

Unfortunately, not all dogs can take NSAIDs, especially those with pre-existing liver problems or kidney disease. As these organs are the power washers of your dog’s system, they need to be in tip- top shape to clear NSAIDs from their bloodstream.

 

Be sure to work closely with your vet while your dog’s on pain meds. Here’s why:

• You want to be sure your dog’s not experiencing any uncomfortable / dangerous / toxic side effects (because who needs that on top of pain!) 

• In some cases NSAIDs can disrupt a dog’s bodily functions, upsetting the lining of their tummy or intestines.

 

It’s pretty standard for your vet to order bloodwork and a urinalysis before your dog starts NSAIDs. And they’re likely to order it again after a while, just to make sure your dog’s organs are working as they should.

 

If your dog is not tolerating NSAIDs well or you suspect an overdose, don’t hesitate to call your vet immediately. Not all heroes wear capes! You could be saving your pup’s life.

 

When Do Vets Prescribe NSAIDs?

 

If that last section made you a bit weary of NSAIDs, the reality is, they’re typically safe and a very effective medication for helping dogs with pain.

 

When might your vet prescribe them? While we can’t list every occasion, here are some of the more common:

• A short time after performing surgery like a spay, neuter, or dental procedure.

• For chronic, longer-term diseases like hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis.

Oh, and another thing to note is that NSAIDs can be taken safely with other medications like tramadol, gabapentin, or natural supplements for joint health.

Opioids for Dogs

As NSAIDs are not a match for every dog pain, vets often prescribe opioid medication, especially after surgery or to sedate a dog before anesthesia. 

Curious about how opioids work? They attach to things called brain “receptors” — areas in our cells that decide what level of pain dogs (and humans) experience. Opioids basically tell pain signals to “hush,” providing relief from moderate to severe pain.

 

The plus of opioids is they’re highly effective. The downside, as many of you already know, is their addictive nature if taken regularly over time. This is why opioids are a highly-regulated, controlled drug that must be prescribed by your dog's vet.

 

All vets must keep a dispensing log that can be audited at any time by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

 

As vets are highly trained, experienced professionals, they know exactly what dose (or number of pills) to give your dog to reduce their pain without getting them addicted, so don’t worry about that.

 

While on opioids, your dog might do one or more of the following so don’t be alarmed:

 

• Panting or slowed breathing

• Barking, howling, and/or crying

• Hyperexcitability

If your dog’s behavior seems drastically out of the ordinary — or their breathing becomes so shallow it’s hard to detect — call your vet immediately.

Joint Supplements for Dogs

Supplements have a lot going for them. They can help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and promote mobility. They’re a gentle, effective way of enhancing your pup’s comfort (and keeping their tail wagging!)

Having sourced the best natural supplements to ease dog pain, here are our top recs available over the counter.

 

Glucosamine helps protect your dog’s precious cartilage. It’s generally used for mild pain and conditions like hip dysplasia or spinal cord injuries, and it comes in many forms including tablets, chews, and liquids.

 

Fish oil assists with so many aches, pains, and ailments — it’s impossible to name them all, but here (more than) a few: osteoarthritis, skin disease, kidney disease, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and in some cases, it can help fight certain forms of canine cancer.

Fish oil has its omega-3 fatty acids to thank for its superhero powers.

Chondroitin is an essential part of your dog’s cartilage. Adding more as a supplement can help maintain and repair your dog's joints as they age, which also reduces pain. Nice work, chondroitin!

Eating Well Helps Reduce Inflammation

In tandem with taking supplements, giving your dog kibble packed with omega-3s, chondroitin, and glucosamine, can help support healthy joints. 

Are Human Pain Medications Dangerous For Dogs?

If we could add a BIG FLASHING WARNING SIGN here we would, but given our font limitations, we’ll simply say: Never give your dog human pain medications of any kind. Here’s why:

• Most human meds contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs

• They can cause serious health problems or even death

• Tablets we buy for ourselves are not the right size and dosage for dogs.

All said, order your dog DOG supplements or have your vet prescribe a lil’ something stronger.

Just be sure that whatever pain reliever you give your dog is 100% for pets only.

How to Help Relieve Your Pup’s Pain at Home?

Now that we’ve given you the lowdown on dog pain-relief drugs and supplements, let’s head indoors and explore ways of helping your dog at home.

Rest speeds up healing time, especially pain from injuries. Try to nurture relaxation and rest (no rigorous exercise!) so their body has time to mend.

 

Ice or an ice pack (always wrapped in a towel) is another way to help some injuries. But with ice there are are some definite no-no’s:

 

• No ice pack on open wounds

• No ice pack for internal aches (e.g belly ache)

• No ice pack if your dog’s in severe pain

• No ice pack if your dog’s really not diggin’ the experience

 

Never force an ice pack on your dog or they might hurt you or themselves. Their existing injury is enough to deal with! 

For dogs that will let you ice-ice-baby them — try it for 5-10 minutes, twice a day.

Heat therapy is another helpful option, just not for recent injuries, wounds, or swollen / inflamed areas. How to treat with heat? Use a warm washcloth in a plastic bag, then wrap it in a dish towel.

 

Human heating pads are too hot for dogs’ skin, even on the low setting, so… don’t use ‘em. Best to check with your vet before trying heat as it can sometimes make the pain worse (and pain sucks to begin with!)

 

Distraction is a great way of helping pups in pain. Gentle pets, delicious treats, a favorite chew bone, and squeaky toys can all draw attention away from their pain or injury. 

While waiting to see your vet, give your dog a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. It keeps them busy and pups looooove them some p.b.

 

Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, a natural dog anti-inflammatory which can help reduce chronic pain.

 

And no need to look far for those mighty omega-3’s! Jinx has a trio of delicious ways to help reduce inflammation: Meal-time

Salmon Kibble and Toppers, and our tasty Salmon Treats.

If you’ve made it to the end of this blog post, you are a veritable trove of knowledge on how to relieve dog pain. Next time your pup shows signs of discomfort, work with your vet to see if your dog needs meds, supplements, or maybe just an ice pack, nourishing meal, and tons of TLC.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.