What Can I Give My Dog for Pain?

Doggo. Furbaby. Floofer. Pupper.

We’ll go ahead and guess that you’ve got a variety of names and nicknames for your dogs. Because your pups are just as much a part of the family as humans (and sometimes even more so… don’t tell Uncle Joe).

You want to give your doggos the best: the best care, the best food, the best products that will keep them happy, healthy, and in top tail-wagging, tongue-blepping shape for years to come. 

That’s why when your dog is in pain, you start looking for the best treatment. But what constitutes the “best”? What can you give your dog for pain that’s safe, effective, and reliable?

Let’s look at some common forms of pain relief for dogs that you can trust, including:

• Common causes of pain in dogs
• Common mistakes in treating pain in dogs
• Safe over-the-counter pain relief 
• How Paramount Pet Health can help 

Ready? Sit. Stay. Read. 

Common Causes of Pain in Dogs

Throughout your dog’s life, he or she may show signs of pain that include limping, licking, and loss of appetite. Some of these have fairly common causes, like… 

Puppy Mishaps

Puppies are soooo cute — but they’re not always, shall we say, the smartest pups in the pack. Younger dogs can get themselves into some pretty perilous predicaments.  

Common puppyhood injuries and incidents include:

• Bee and insect stings from curious noses and paws
• Pain or complications from spay and neuter procedures
• Chewing or eating things other than chew toys
• Fighting, wrestling, and tumbling with littermates or other pets

How can you address these common occurrences?

Well, baking soda paste and/or an oatmeal bath can help with bee stings and bug bites. 

Your veterinarian will probably give or recommend something for any pain associated with spaying and neutering. (And a trip to the vet might also be in order if your puppy eats something unusual.)

And as for boo-boos from rough-and-tumble play, the severity of the injury will determine what treatment you give your dog. Anything from gently cleaning and bandaging wounds to a trip to the vet may be in order. 

Paw Injuries

Dogs spend a great deal of time on their feet, especially if they’re active and healthy. Paw injuries are not uncommon. The most common signs of painful paws are limping, chewing or licking on the paws, and a reluctance to walk.  

Paw pain can come from several sources, including foreign objects stuck in the paw pads and cracked, dry skin on your dog’s paws. Removing anything stuck in or between your dog’s paw pads should be done carefully to ensure that the entire object is removed. 

And a good daily coating of coconut oil or shea butter (or even a pair of booties for outside wear) can heal and prevent dry, cracked, painful paws. 

Athletic Injuries

Just like any active human, your dog can suffer injuries and minor aches and pain from her daring feats of athleticism.  

Frisbee-catching, dock-diving, and sometimes, even a good game of fetch can all result in sore muscles and aching joints. (Though just try to stop a happy pup from diving head-first into a lake… we dare you.)

Aging and Arthritis

Studies have shown that as many as one in four dogs suffers from osteoarthritis. And while we may think of this as a senior-dog issue, some pups experience symptoms as early as 2 years old. 

Signs of arthritis in dogs include:

• Limping
• Lameness (favoring one or more paws)
• Reluctance to move/walk/play
• Whining, yelping, or growling when touched
• Licking or chewing in one or more spots over joints
• Grouchiness/Irritability
• Changes in behavior, such as not greeting you at the door, not eating, not playing, etc.

Pain management in these cases is just as important as pain relief and prevention. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements is most common to relieve and manage your dog’s pain from arthritis. Your vet will be able to diagnose and provide the right meds in the case of osteoarthritis.

Common Mistakes in Treating Your Dog’s Pain

Because we want the best for our dogs, seeing them in pain is stressful and sometimes scary for us humans. We want to make it all better, as fast as we can.  

This concern over our dogs’ health and welfare can lead us to stress out. And in our stress and concern, we end up scrambling for answers that sometimes lead to mistakes.

The Most Common Mistake: Thinking Like a Human

The most common mistake when relieving your dog’s pain is to think they’re just like humans. You probably reach into the medicine cabinet and pull out the acetaminophen or ibuprofen when we are hurt. These over-the-counter pain medications work so well for you — so they should work for your dog, too, right?

Nope.

Your veterinarian will tell you that those over-the-counter pain relievers are some of the worst things you can give your dog for pain. Why? Because they’re actually harmful to your dog. 

You can, under veterinarian orders and for only a short while, give your dog a low dose of aspirin. Otherwise, leave the other human pain medications in the cabinet and find safer sources of pain relief for your floof.

Other Common Mistakes

There are several other common mistakes people make when giving their dog pain medications. These include:

• Not following veterinarian directions for proper medication dosage
• Leaving the medication where the dog can get to it, causing an overdose
• Not recognizing the side effects of medications
• Giving your dog medications or supplements that counteract each other

That’s why we highly recommend keeping in touch with your vet on a regular basis, and making sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations and preventive care. When your vet knows your dog’s history, they can better weigh in on how to care for your dog.

Some Safe, Reliable, and Effective Over-the-Counter Pain Relief for Dogs

We’ve already mentioned that for general pain, you may be able to give a low dose of aspirin to your dog. But remember: never give anything without first consulting with your veterinarian. 

Glucosamine and Arthritis Pain

If your dog has been diagnosed with or is showing signs of arthritis, you can safely give glucosamine products made for dogs. 

Glucosamine is often veterinarian-recommended for arthritis pain in dogs. What IS glucosamine? It’s a natural substance made by a dog’s body that plays a crucial part in the building and repair of the soft tissues surrounding the joints.

A dog with arthritis experiences a breakdown of those tissues, which can lead to aching, soreness, pain, and stiffness as joints lose their natural cushion. 

By helping to build and repair the tissue, glucosamine can help arthritic dogs maintain the joint tissue they still have. Many owners of arthritic pups say they’ve seen a complete turnaround in their dog’s happiness and energy after beginning a daily glucosamine regimen.

Glucosamine does have a few side effects, but they are considered rare and mild. These include fatigue, insomnia, and excessive thirst. 

If your dog is allergic to shellfish (a common source of the glucosamine used in both human and animal supplements), they might experience tummy upsets or skin irritation. If that’s the case, there are also vegetarian glucosamine supplements that are perfect for dogs who can’t eat shellfish. No nasty side effects here! 

How Paramount Pet Health Can Help

Americans spend billions on pet food, toys, and equipment like leashes, beds, and even clothing. And yes, pet health products (when I said we want only the best for our dogs, I wasn’t joking).

Paramount Pet Health is dedicated to helping pet owners experience the most joy possible with their pets. That’s why we create the finest nutritional supplements to keep your pets healthy and happy.

Here’s what we can offer to dogs in pain and discomfort from arthritis:

Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs

Our most popular glucosamine supplement for dogs offers flexible dosing that works for dogs small to large! Small dogs will get just the right dose without worries of overdosing, while large dogs can get their daily dose without emptying the bottle every time. 

We’ve also created a smaller bottle that’s more convenient for pint-sized pups like Yorkies and Chihuahuas. AND if your dog is more horse than canine, you might want to check out Liquid Glucosamine for Large Dogs (it’s our most potent formulation, so you don’t have to constantly keep replacing the bottle)!

Regardless of size, you can treat your dog for joint pain, free of worry and hassle. Choose the bottle that’s right for your dog — and let us know how it goes. 

Moving on… remember what to do if your dog is allergic or sensitive to shellfish?

Vegetarian Glucosamine for Dogs

If your dog has an allergy to shellfish (or if you don’t know if your dog has an allergy to shellfish), you might be reluctant to try reliving their pain with glucosamine. Most glucosamine products are made from mussels, which can trigger a reaction in sensitive pups.

That’s why we’ve made a vegetarian glucosamine product. This glucosamine is just as effective on joint pain as the shellfish product but without the worries of an allergic reaction in your dog. 

Whichever of the above products you choose, your dog can be assured that arthritis joint pain and discomfort will soon be a thing of the past. We stake our 30-day money-back guarantee on it.