How much aspirin can I give my 60 lb dog?

People instinctively reach for an aspirin when they experience any kind of pain. Aspirin is a painkiller that helps with various types of pain; remember how it helped with that headache you had all the time? These discomforts include headaches, cramps in the stomach, and aches in the muscles.

While that aspirin pill relieves your headache, it is not advisable to give it to your pet dog as a pain reliever. Dogs and humans are different creatures with different biological systems. Drugs that are effective for humans sometimes have chemical ingredients that are harmful to pets and other animals. The best course of action when your dog is in pain is to consult a veterinarian to determine what exactly is hurting them.

If you think about giving aspirin to your dogs, you strictly follow a veterinarian’s prescription. It implies that you shouldn’t give your dog aspirin without a doctor’s prescription for the recommended dosage. This article will go over the effects of aspirin on dogs, how to administer it, and what to watch out for.

Symptoms of Overdose or Allergic Reactions

Similar symptoms could appear in severe situations, such as an allergic reaction or overdose. However, many of these symptoms are more serious and may even be fatal.

The following signs of an overdose or allergic reaction include:

Follow your dog’s behavior closely whenever they take a new medication. Consult a veterinarian if you think your dog may be allergic to aspirin before symptoms get worse. To prevent an overdose, always administer the medication as prescribed by your veterinarian.

When is Aspirin Given to Dogs?

Dogs with joint pain, inflammation, a limp, or post-surgical pain frequently receive aspirin. Although it can treat any kind of pain in dogs, it is not as frequently prescribed as other NSAIDs like carprofen. Consult your veterinarian for the best treatment options for your dog’s wounds.

If your dog requires aspirin, your veterinarian will inform you of the recommended dosage. Never give your dog new medications without your vet’s approval. Aspirin for dogs should be administered once or twice daily.

Here is the typical aspirin dosage for dogs based on weight: Your veterinarian will give you a recommended dosage.

0 – 5 pounds: 25 – 50 mg

5 – 10 pounds: 50 – 100 mg

10 – 20 pounds: 100 – 200 mg

20 – 40 pounds: 200 – 400 mg

40 – 60 pounds: 300 – 600 mg

60 – 80 pounds: 400 – 800 mg

80 – 100+ pounds: 500 – 1,000 mg

One adult aspirin contains about 325 milligrams, so the recommended dosage for a dog weighing 20 to 40 pounds is roughly one pill at a time. You may need to cut the pill in half if you have a small dog. However, large dogs might require additional medications to ease their discomfort.

Baby aspirin for dogs dosage: If you have a small dog under 20 pounds, it might be preferable to use baby aspirin for dogs.

Small dogs under 5 pounds only require about half of a baby aspirin pill. One baby aspirin tablet at a time can be given to dogs between 5 and 10 pounds. Then, dogs weighing between 10 and 20 pounds might be able to take 1.5 and 2 baby aspirins. However, it might be simpler to administer a half adult aspirin pill at that point.

Once more, these aspirin dosages for dogs are only suggestions. To determine how much aspirin is safe and beneficial for your dog, always consult your veterinarian.

Aspirin can be a great source of pain relief for your dog. But for some canines, it can also have its downsides. Whenever you give your dog a new medication, keep an eye out for unusual behaviors.

Here are some common side effects of aspirin for dogs:

Nausea

Decreased appetite

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Mucosal erosion

Ulceration

Black, tar-like stool

Skin irritation

Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after taking aspirin. Do not administer additional medication to your dog until your veterinarian has performed tests to determine the cause of these issues.

Where to Get Low Dose Aspirin for Dogs

Low dose aspirin for dogs is available at pet supply stores and other big box stores:

Nutri-Vet Aspirin is available at Chewy for about $11.

Vets Best Aches and Pains is available at Chewy for about $9.

Vetality Canine Aspirin is available at Petsmart for about $11.

While aspirin can be effective and is readily available, there are possible adverse side effects, as well as reasons aspirin use is not advisable in some circumstances.

Stomach upset – Aspirin can upset a dogs stomach, which can interfere with the ultimate goal of relieving your dogs pain if he throws up the medication. Buffered aspirin is usually easier on a dogs stomach than non-buffered aspirin, especially if your vet advises you to give repeated doses.

Stomach ulcers – Long-term usage could lead to stomach ulcers. Watch for dark, tar-like blood in your dogs stools since this is usually a strong indication his stomach has been bleeding.

Blood thinning – Aspirin does thin the blood, which can lead to excessive bleeding if your dog is injured or undergoes surgery while on the medication. It should never be administered to a dog with Von Willebrands Disease or pregnant or nursing dogs.

Kidney damage – Aspirin should never be given to a dog that already has kidney disease. In otherwise healthy dogs, watch for signs such as increased or decreased thirst, and well as changes in appetite and onset of vomiting, since these signs are often associated with kidney problems.

Giving your dog too much aspirin can produce serious complications that require emergency care. According to PetMD.com and VetInfo.com, signs of an overdose can include:

Lethargy/weakness

Anxious or depressed behavior

Loss of appetite

Loss of coordination

Vomiting (Usually blood)

Diarrhea

Pale gums (Sign of possible shock)

Intestinal hemorrhage

Rapid breathing/panting

Seizures

Loss of consciousness

A toxic dose of aspirin can also cause dogs to pass away quite suddenly.

FAQ

Can I give my 60 lb dog a baby aspirin?

The short answer is no. While your veterinarian might advise giving your dog aspirin to ease their pain when they’re hurt, you shouldn’t administer the same medicine you keep in your medicine cabinet. Even in small doses, medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can be toxic to dogs.

How much aspirin can I give my dog chart?

Dog’s Weight (Pounds)Aspirin Dosage20 – 30150 to 300 milligrams or half an adult aspirin40 – 40200 to 400 milligrams or one and a half adult aspirin50 – 60300 to 600 milligrams or one to two adult aspirin

Is it OK to give dogs 81 mg aspirin?

Never try to treat your dog’s discomfort with over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen (e. g. , Aleve), acetaminophen (e. g. , Tylenol), or aspirin. Human anti-inflammatories can have potentially fatal toxic effects on pets, so you should only give your dog medications that a veterinarian has prescribed.

How much aspirin can you give a dog per pound?

Directions For Use Consult your veterinarian prior to use. Every 12 hours, administer 8–12 mg for each pound of body weight. Every 12 hours, roughly 1 chewable tablet per 30–40 pounds of body weight is taken.