Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Pain pills and pups: What you should know

Rebecca Wolken
By

One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner is seeing your furry baby in pain. When you do, you might wonder if you can give human pain medication to dogs. It can also be hard to know if they are in pain. Let’s dive into this topic and get your pup on the road to recovery.

How to tell if your pup is in pain

Unlike humans, dogs can’t tell us when something’s hurting. On top of that, many dogs have a high pain tolerance and won’t show signs of discomfort even if they are in terrible pain. You know your pet better than anyone, so here are some signs to watch for if you suspect your dog is hurting.

dog-laying-on-owners-lap
Image used with permission by copyright holder
  • Unusually anti-social: If your pup typically runs to greet you or others at the door but suddenly seems not to care, this could be a sign they are in pain. Dogs are pack animals, and when they begin to deny themselves the pleasure of being around their pack — which includes you — it’s a red flag.
  • Changes in eating or drinking: If your dog has gone many days without eating (and it’s unusual for them), you may want to take them to their vet to get checked out.
  • Not sleeping well: If you’re noticing them walking around the house at night or tossing and turning, or just standing at the foot of your bed, this could be cause for concern.
  • Unusual vocalizations: Barking, howling, growling, whining, and yelping could all be ways your dog is trying to tell you that something isn’t right. These vocalizations typically happen during walks, feeding times, or playtime. If your dog is talking to you, listen.
  • Excessive licking: Licking can be a dangerous symptom of pain if not noticed in time. Just as people might rub a bumped head, dogs can lick the parts of their bodies that hurt. Although this can be a great way for you to identify a problem, your pup could lick themselves raw and cause infection if unnoticed.
  • Breathing or panting heavily: If your pup is panting or breathing heavily when they have not been exercising, this could be a sign of pain. Panting is normal for many dogs, but excessive or nonstop panting is something to watch out for.
  • Moving around less: A typically rambunctious and energetic dog suddenly lying around or avoiding movement is another sign that your pup might be in pain. Stiffness or limping is an obvious sign that they might be injured. If your puppy is reluctant to jump into your lap, take them to see a vet.
  • Unusual aggression: This uncharacteristic behavior can present itself during mealtime, playtime, or snuggle time — a dog that suddenly begins growling while being petted could be a dog in pain.
  • Changes in posture or body: Internal pain can sometimes present itself in a change of posture. Your dog could hunch their back or hold up a paw or hang their head if something feels off.
  • Trembling or shaking: Although some smaller dogs shake and tremble from habit, many times this can also mean they are in pain. If your pup shakes or trembles as they sit on your lap or while you’re petting them, it’s a good idea to get them checked out.
Recommended Videos

What to do if your pup is in pain

You think your dog might be in pain; what do you do now?

  1. Begin by noting your pup’s symptoms on your phone or a notepad. Bringing that information to a vet visit will help you and your veterinarian identify what could be the problem.
  2. Set up an appointment for your pup to see their vet. Even though there are many sources of information on diagnosing dog pain, it is always safest to consult your pet’s veterinarian before doing anything else.
  3. After your vet has diagnosed your pet’s condition and provided medication to help, it’s critical to give the prescribed medicine exactly as your vet instructed. The best way to get your pup back to normal is to follow a veterinary professional’s instructions.

Until you get to your appointment, here are several ways you can help alleviate some of the pain your dog may be experiencing.

  • Limit their activity and movement.
  • Provide a soft, comfortable bed.
  • Eliminate stressors such as loud TVs or rowdy children.
  • Give them gentle petting and massages.
  • Keep them company; loneliness can cause stress and inhibit your dog’s ability to relax.

Following your vet’s instructions and these tips will be the best way to get your pup back to their usual self.

Should you give your pup human pain meds?

The short answer is no. Although some human over-the-counter pain medications are not likely to harm your pet, without proper dosage, giving your dog pain meds from your cabinet can be extremely dangerous. Often, giving pups human medication can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and more.

If your dog is experiencing pain, the best thing you can do for them is call their doctor and get them in for an appointment as soon as possible. Until then, give them lots of love and a soft place to lie. Then follow the vet’s instructions to a T to ensure a fast recovery for your furry baby.

If you’d like to know more about your puppy, you can check our guide on when you should give your puppy a bath.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebecca Wolken
Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
Is your dog’s breathing problems old age or something else? What to know
Signs to watch out for if your senior dog has respiratory issues
A gray-faced, old cocker spaniel smiles at the camera

It's hard to watch the beloved family dog get older. Often, advanced age is accompanied by new medical conditions, and it’s difficult for the untrained observer to determine what is a serious problem and what is simply a part of aging. You might notice an increase in dog breathing problems in old age, which can be especially tricky.

Is your senior pup just panting from the heat, or is something more sinister happening? Keep reading to learn more about the types of abnormal breathing to watch for, the causes of dogs' breathing problems in old age, and some tips for easing your pup’s troubles.

Read more
Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy
Himalayan dog chews are still trendy, but are they safe for your pup?
A close-up shot of a pug standing in the grass with a bone-shaped treat in his mouth

What do blueberries, kale, and broccoli all have in common? In addition to being delicious, all three are superfoods, labeled by the health food world. Unfortunately, there's no federally regulated definition for the term, but Harvard scientists claim food that "offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value" can be labeled superfoods. 

Just like you might add chia seeds to your granola or spirulina powder to your smoothies for additional vitamins and minerals, you also want to make sure your dog's food and treats pack a beneficial wallop. Made famous on Shark Tank, Himalayan dog chews have become one of the most hotly debated treats in the pet food game, which begs the question, "Are Himalayan dog chews as healthy as some people think?"

Read more
What you need to know about dogs with blue eyes
Here are the facts behind blue eyes in dogs, a rarity that comes with some health risks
Upside down brown dog

Blue-eyed dogs are striking, mostly because they are such an unusual sight. After all, even though all puppies are born with blue eyes, 95% of them will change color within the first eight to 10 weeks of life. And while there’s almost nothing sweeter than staring into the brown eyes of an adoring pet, those dog breeds with blue eyes are, well, a sight to behold.

If you’re lucky enough to own a dog with blue eyes, congratulations. If, like the rest of us, you’re just curious about what causes that beautiful abnormality, read on. We’ll share which dog breeds naturally have blue eyes, why that occurs, and if blue-eyed dogs are at risk for health problems as a result.

Read more