Introduction
A dog owner needs to understand dog medication and know what can you give a dog for pain relief at home. If you notice a negative change in your dog’s behavior, it could be because they are in pain and need medication.
Dogs are more sensitive than humans, and you need to know how to medicate them without putting them in danger.
This article will detail the best painkillers for dogs and guide you on using them at home. Let’s get into the details;
What Can You Give A Dog For Pain Relief At Home?
Your dog could get an injury, infection, or illness that causes pain, which will change their behavior. Such issues get more severe with older dogs, and you must help your pet feel better when they are in pain.
Painkillers are a temporary solution, but you need to go to the vet as soon as possible to get a permanent solution. Seeing a vet will also help you understand any allergies and medication side effects that could affect your pet. So what can you give for pain relief for dogs at home?
- Chondroitin and Glucosamine
These compounds are a crucial part of healthy joints, making up a large percentage of high-quality dog supplements.
These compounds are found in animal cartilage and can improve lubrication in the joints and protect them by improving shock absorption.
Chondroitin and glucosamine also prevent cartilage from breaking down, ensuring a better joint lifecycle for your dog.
Numerous supplements have these compounds, and you can get them in tablets, powders, capsules, and chews.
They will effectively relieve pain from arthritis or other conditions relating to joints, and they work better over time as they improve the nutrient level in the dog.
- Turmeric
Tumeric is a natural source of an amazing anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin. This compound can help fight cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal complications, and arthritis in dogs.
Turmeric is an easy-to-find plant, but it has a large enough concentration of curcumin to help your dog.
Research shows that curcumin is very effective as an anti-inflammatory drug and can help with pain better than aspirin and ibuprofen.
Mix a small amount of turmeric into fish oil or coconut oil to simplify digestion, and it will help your dog feel better.
- Heat Therapy
Heat and cold therapy is one of the best remedies for joint pains, both in humans and dogs. The specific type of therapy will depend on the cause of the pain. Heat therapy will be ideal for underlying chronic conditions like arthritis.
The additional warmth around the joints will allow the muscles to relax and stretch out, reducing pain and stiffness. A heat pack on the joints for up to 20 minutes will relax the joint and relieve pain.
If an injury has caused pain in your dog’s joints, you need to use cold therapy to alleviate the pain. The cold will create a numbing effect on the area giving your dog a more comfortable ride to the vet.
- Ginger
The most common cause of chronic pain in dogs is inflammation, and ginger is a rich source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are circulatory stimulants, and they also help reduce inflammation. Ginger has more benefits than pain-killing, which will be useful for a sick dog.
It can help prevent nausea and vomiting in dogs which will help them digest food better when sick. Grate a little ginger over your dog’s food and give it time to do its magic.
- Omega 3 fatty acids
Omega 3 is important to your dog for many reasons, from a smooth coat to allergy relief; therefore, it can help when they are in pain.
The EPA and DHA in fish oil can reduce inflammation in your dog’s body, reducing most acute and chronic pains.
The best source of this for most dogs is a dog joint supplement or fish oil. Add this to the dog’s diet, and your dog will have much better health in the future with minimal pain.
- New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel
GLM is another natural ingredient that can help alleviate arthritis and joint pains in dogs with arthritis.
This mollusk is full of nutrients, including complex proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins, giving your dog a natural, long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect.
It can also help reduce swelling and muscle stiffness; therefore, it works on many levels. This ingredient is used in Glyde Mobility chews. This product has GLM, chondroitin, and glucosamine to keep your dog’s joints at their best.
Combining chondroitin, glucosamine, and GLM in dogs can help preserve joint function and reduce pain. These scientifically proven remedies will create a better future for your dog’s joints.
Potential Side Effects Of Dog Medication
Over-the-counter medication for pets is one of the best choices when your dog is in pain. Such medication is effective, but it might have some side effects that worsen the situation. Here are some likely side effects that your dog might experience from such medications;
- Vomiting and diarrhea. The most medication goes through the mouth and digestive tract; therefore, vomiting and diarrhea are expected side effects. It can also cause poor appetite or a change in eating habits.
In most normal cases, the body will adjust to the change, and the problem will stop in a couple of days.
Antibiotics are particularly common causes of diarrhea since they disrupt the bacterial population in the gut. Check with your vet before and after administering medication to be safe.
- Lumps and bumps. This is a common problem when you give the pet medication for the skin. For instance, an injection could lead to the formation of a small bump under the skin. In other cases, it could be an allergic reaction to the medication.
- Stomach Ulcers. Steroids and NSAIDs can lead to the formation of ulcers which cause diarrhea and vomiting, mostly with blood. You should never administer these drugs simultaneously, and there is medication to reduce acidity in the gut.
- Skin irritation. This is a common issue for applied medicines that can cause irritation, flaking, hair loss, itching, and redness. For such cases, washing with soap and water will solve the problem, but severe allergic reactions to medication might have the same effects.
- Liver or kidney complications. The body must break down all medications and remove them from the body, which is the job of the kidneys and liver.
This process could damage the liver and kidneys, so you should watch for increased thirst, frequency of urination, vomiting, poor appetite, and lethargy.
- Weakness. Most drugs affect your pet’s brain, which can lead to lethargy and weakness. Sedatives or anxiety medication can dull a dog or cause dysphoria, leading to a state of unease.
How Will You Know If Your Dog Is In Pain?
You need to monitor your dog to know how well they are doing and if they need additional medication. If you spend enough time with your bet, you will know their behavioral patterns, and it will be easier for you to notice a change.
Here are some signs that might indicate your dog is in pain and in need of painkillers;
- Restlessness or being easily distracted is a textbook sign that a dog is in pain or uncomfortable. This is especially the case if the dog is at home or in an environment they have been alright with in the past.
- Whimpering, groaning, or howling without an environmental trigger can be a giveaway of pain or discomfort.
- Licking, biting, or scratching an injury site is a textbook sign of discomfort at the point where the dog is biting or scratching. It makes diagnosis and treatment at home much easier.
- Limping or shifting their weight to avoid using one foot is a sign that the dog is wounded or is experiencing joint pain. Sometimes the dog will reduce its movement to a minimum to avoid the pain.
- Aggressive behavior like barking or biting is a sign that the dog is hurting and feels threatened; therefore, you need to look closer.
- Looking worried with drooping ears in a usually cheerful environment is a clear indicator that something is wrong. It could be a change in the environment, discomfort from pain, or an injury.
- Failure to respond when you call, especially for a friendly or well-trained dog, is another typical sign of injury or pain. It could be because the dog is in pain and doesn’t want to move because it hurts more.
Go to the vet and get professional advice if you notice any behavioral changes in your dog. A proper diagnosis and medication plan will help keep your dog safe and healthy.
Conclusion
You have your solution; if you were wondering, what can you give a dog for pain relief at home? There are many natural solutions to your dog’s pain, and most options on this list will not have a negative side effect.
Ensure you get a go-ahead from your vet before administering any supplements or over-the-counter medication. Some dogs have allergies and digestive complications that might respond aggressively to some medications.
