Comfort You Pup in Misery With the Best Dog Pain Relievers

Dog Pain Relievers Buying Guide

Here’s a comprehensive guide about all that you need to know before getting pain relievers for dogs.

How To Tell if Your Dog Is in Pain?

Dogs communicate their pain and discomfort in several different ways, some very clear or loud while others are very easy to miss and too subtle. Since our furry friends cannot speak and tell us when they’re in pain, they’ll express it in other ways.

Pet parents should always pay attention to their dog’s movements, reactions, activity levels. Keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of pain your dog might exhibit. Listed below are some of the most common signs that will indicate your dog is in pain:

• If you observe your dog has started to limp without any apparent cause (injury or fight).
• Dogs tend to lick the area that’s causing them pain, such as joints.
• Aggressive, especially when touched or lifted, or antisocial behavior.
• Difficulty in walking, lying down, settling, and overall movement.
• Excessive panting and lethargy.
• Vocalizing more than usual, including yelping, whimpering, and whining.
• Drooling more than usual.
• Swelling in the legs or around joints.
• Lowered tail, reduced level of activity.
• Changes in drinking, eating, and sleeping habits.
• Reluctance to play, run, jump or climb stairs.
• Restlessness, shaking or trembling.

If your dog displays any of these symptoms persistently, take them to the vet and get them some good dog pain relieving medicine.

Common Causes of Dog Pain

There could be many reasons your pup isn’t feeling their best. It could be an injury, infection, or pain due to their growing age. It’s best to get to the root cause of the pain to determine the best option for their treatment.

Here are some common causes for pain in dogs:

Cold

Just like us, dogs can catch a cold too. No matter how thick their coat is, always check their eating and drinking habits. You would notice a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or loss of appetite in your dog.

Make sure you never give any human cold medicine to your dog because it’s very dangerous for them. Run a humidifier and encourage your pet to rest more.

Allergies

Another common cause of pain in dogs is allergies. Dogs, just like us humans, can suffer from a variety of allergies. The most common type is akin allergies, such as dermatitis. Some dogs may be allergic to flea bites that make the base of their tails super itchy, while others are triggered by certain types of food.

Food allergies will have your dog display gastrointestinal symptoms, itchy paws, and ear or may be inflammation. Itching around eyes, groin, legs, ears, paws, or scabbed skin can also be from seasonal allergies. You’ll find them licking or biting the area of discomfort or loss of fur. Usually, Benadryl is recommended to ease pain from allergies, or your vet might prescribe some all-natural flea and tick treatment.

Hot spots

Hot spots are inflamed, and raw skin lesions may be filled with pus and often ooze out. They form from excessive scratching that opens up the skin. When your dog scratches irritated skin, licks it, or bites, it can spread the hot spot to other areas of the body as well.

It’s essential to pin down the cause of irritation. It could be arthritis, parasites, allergies, or sometimes even boredom. Usually, vets treat such pain with oral or topical steroids like an antihistamine (like Benadryl) or prednisone to combat itching, so it doesn’t worsen the spots. You can treat small hot spots with some Neosporin to prevent infection.

What Are Common Pain Relief Medication for Dogs?

Typically, your vet will prescribe an oral pain medication for a dog suffering from physical pain. There are several OTC (Over The Counter) medicines that can relieve mild signs of pain and discomfort. Some common ones include:

Chondroitin

Chondroitin is a natural substance and helps prevent the breakdown of cartilage due to aging. It’s super effective when paired with glucosamine.

Glucosamine

As dogs grow old, the natural production of glucose and glutamine slows down. Glucosamine supplements combine glutamine and glucose and help lubricate the joints. It also encourages healthy cell growth and repair of damaged cartilage cells.

MSM

Methylsulfonylmethane is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.

Aspirin

You need to be careful with aspirin, even though it is available without a prescription. Consult with your dog’s vet first, and make sure you use only aspirin for dogs.

Other than OTC medicine, prescription medication for dog pain relief include:

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common prescription medication used to treat pain in canines. They work to reduce the production of prostaglandin. It is a chemical that can cause inflammation, fever, or pain and perform several vital functions in the body.

Naproxen and ibuprofen are two common NSAIDs. One determines their doses according to the weight and age of your dog. Other common NSAIDs include Firocoxib, Meloxicam, Deracoxib, and Grapiprant.

Natural Dog Pain Relievers

Some common natural pain relievers for dogs are:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common prescription medication used to treat pain in canines. They work to reduce the production of prostaglandin. It is a chemical that can cause inflammation, fever, or pain and perform several vital functions in the body.
• Naproxen and ibuprofen are two common NSAIDs. One determines their doses according to the weight and age of your dog. Other common NSAIDs include Firocoxib, Meloxicam, Deracoxib, and Grapiprant.

Conclusion

Dog pain relievers are safe and super beneficial to let your dog enjoy the joys of jumping, playing, and moving around. You can find these in liquid, solid, biscuit, or chewable forms. Some brands offer different flavors and shapes to make them more palatable. This guide recommends the best dog pain relievers in 2021, along with tons of helpful knowledge and tips.