Can I Give My Dog Advil? No! A Vet Explains Why

If your dog seems painful or otherwise out of sorts, you may be wondering, “Can I give my dog Advil?” The answer is a resounding, “No!” While it may seem convenient to share this affordable, readily available human medication with our pups, Advil (ibuprofen) is not safe for dogs. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains why Advil is dangerous for dogs, and what to do if your dog ingests any.

Just like with people, aging often brings some aches and pains for senior dogs. Plus, even younger dogs can take a bad step while chasing the frisbee and wind up injured. No one likes to see their beloved dog in pain, but it is critical that you don’t give your dog human pain relievers like Advil® (ibuprofen).

There’s not even a grey zone on this one. Giving your dog Advil (or ibuprofen sold under any other brand name), is never in his or her best interest. In fact, it is downright dangerous.

The best thing you can do if your dog is in pain is to contact your veterinarian, not head to your medicine cabinet. Your vet can determine what is going on with your dog and then prescribe safe and effective pain medications or other treatments to give your dog some relief.

Can dogs take Advil?

No, absolutely not. Advil is toxic to dogs. Especially at higher doses, it can cause kidney or liver damage, bleeding ulcers, or neurological issues—all of which have the potential to be life-threatening. But even at lower doses it is problematic. No amount of ibuprofen, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sometimes sold under the brand name “Advil”, is safe for dogs.

Additionally, Motrin® (another brand name for ibuprofen), Midol® (which sometimes contains ibuprofen), and any other name brand or genetic product containing ibuprofen are dangerous for dogs and should never be given to them.

Can you give a dog just one Advil?

Some well-meaning dog owners believe it will be safe to use a human NSAID if administered in a lower dose. Although one tablet of Advil may not be lethal for a large dog, the margin of safety is very narrow.

Ibuprofen toxicity can be seen at doses as low as 25mg/kg for a single ingestion, and 8mg/kg for repeated dosing. Even for just one tablet, the potential for very serious side effects is not worth the risk.

Can I give my dog children’s Advil?

When searching online, you might find articles that talk about how children’s Advil is safe for dogs. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Remember that even lower doses of these medications can cause adverse reactions. Children’s liquid medications may also contain alcohol or xylitol (the artificial sweetener in gum and many other human consumables), which is toxic for dogs.

So in short, just say no to giving your dog Advil of any amount or formulation. It isn’t worth the risk.

What are the symptoms of Advil toxicity in dogs?

Because dogs metabolize NSAIDs differently than humans, giving them Advil can cause severe illness and even death. Signs of ibuprofen toxicity can start to show within a few hours of ingestion, but more serious side effects may not be evident for several days.

If your dog ingests Advil, he or she may experience:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Inappetance
• Excessive salivation
• Pale gums
• Dark, tarry stool (also called melena)
• Seizures
• Coma

Why is Advil (ibuprofen) so dangerous for dogs?

Advil and other human NSAIDs can significantly damage the kidneys and/or liver, leading to acute kidney failure in dogs and acute liver failure in dogs. Additionally, Advil toxicity can cause intestinal or stomach ulcers in dogs. These ulcers are not only uncomfortable, but also potentially life-threatening. Deep ulcers can cause internal bleeding which could be fatal.

Sometimes GI ulcers grow so deep that they actually erode through the stomach or intestines. These are called perforating ulcers, and usually lead to sepsis (i.e. life-threatening organ or tissue damage due to the body’s abnormal response to infection). Dogs with sepsis are in critical condition, and sometimes even intensive care treatment isn’t enough for them to pull through.

What should I do if I accidentally give my dog Advil or he or she gets into the bottle?

If your dog has ingested ibuprofen, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control helpline right away for advice. The vet or veterinary toxicologist will want to know how many milligrams of ibuprofen the dog ingested and how long ago it happened, so it is helpful to have that information ready when you call.

The ASPCA Poison Control hotline connects you with amazing board-certified veterinarian toxicologists. The Pet Poison Helpline is another hotline that can give you advice over the phone. Please know that a fee for these services may apply.

It is important to follow the instructions given by the veterinarian or pet poison control center. The vast majority of the time, they will advise you to immediately make an emergency vet visit to hopefully prevent any ill effects from the Advil.

How do veterinarians treat ingestion of Advil in a dog?

Your veterinarian will create a treatment plan based on:

• The number of milligrams of ibuprofen your dog ingested per kilogram of body weight
• How long ago the ingestion took place
• The clinical signs your dog is experiencing

Depending on when your dog got the Advil, the vet may take measures to decrease the absorption of the drug such as administering activated charcoal (which should only be done by the vet) or inducing vomiting (don’t do this at home without consulting your vet or a veterinary toxicologist).

Dogs who have ibuprofen toxicity may need to be hospitalized for IV fluid therapy to help support kidney function and decrease the risk of kidney injury. Plus, the vet may start your dog on antacids like famotidine, pantoprazole, or omeprazole for dogs to help protect the lining of the stomach and intestines. Sucralfate, a “GI band aid” which can coat and protect damaged areas of the GI tract, can be helpful in many cases of Advil ingestion too. Vomiting dogs may benefit from anti-nausea medications like Cerenia for dogs.

If your dog is suffering from anemia in dogs due to a bleeding GI ulcer, he or she may also need a blood transfusion. Dogs with seizures or tremors may need anticonvulsants or other medications to decrease the neurological symptoms.

In more mild cases, your dog may be able to go home with you after the veterinary visit or spending the day at the vet clinic. However, if your dog is very sick, your vet may refer you to a 24 hour emergency clinic that can provide round-the-clock intensive care.

What can my dog take for pain?

It is not safe to give your dog Advil or other human over-the-counter pain medications. However, your veterinarian has a variety of pain medications and alternative therapies at his or her disposal that can help control your dog’s pain.

Veterinarian-prescribed NSAIDs for dogs

There are several NSAIDs your veterinarian can prescribe that are safe for dogs. I’ve listed a few below along with the brand names in parentheses, but this is not an exhaustive list:

• Carprofen for dogs (Rimadyl/Quellin)
• Firocoxib (Previcox)
• Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
• Grapiprant (Galliprant)

All of the veterinarian-prescribed medications listed above work well short term for minor injuries or post-surgical pain. They are also effective when used long term for joint pain and other injuries resulting in chronic pain. However, long-term use of NSAIDs can affect kidney or liver function so your vet may recommend routine blood tests for dogs every 6 to 12 months as a precaution.

It is also important to note that even when dog-safe NSAIDs are used, occasionally some dogs will experience side effects such as lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or GI ulceration. If your dear dog develops any of these signs, promptly contact your veterinarian.

Other pain medications for dogs

In addition to NSAIDs, there are several other medications that are safe for pain control in dogs. Opioids (narcotics) are also effective for pain management, although this class of medications can cause drowsiness and nausea. Veterinarians typically use injectable versions for hospitalized patients and oral tablets like tramadol for dogs for at-home care.

Additionally, methocarbamol for dogs (a muscle relaxer) and gabapentin for dogs (a medication for nerve pain) are especially useful for treating painful conditions such as intervertebral disc disease in dogs.

Supplements and alternative therapies for pain control

As a complement to pain medications, your veterinarian may recommend using some forms of natural pain relief for dogs such as:

• Joint supplements for dogs
• Laser therapy for dogs
• Acupuncture for dogs
• Underwater treadmill therapy for dogs
• And many other options

There really are so very many ways to help a painful dog feel better. So there is no need to try Advil or other human NSAIDs.

Advil toxicity: One dog’s story

A few years ago, I saw a patient named Lizzy. She was an adult Papillon who came in for a visit due to vomiting and limping. The limping began after a fall at home. The cause of the vomiting was less clear to her owner.

While we discussed the circumstances of Lizzy’s injury, her owner mentioned he had given her half a tablet of Advil, thinking it would help her pain. An alarm went off in my head. I was pretty sure I found the reason for my patient’s vomiting. 

Human NSAIDs (i.e. Aleve or Advil) can be dangerous for dogs and lead to gastrointestinal issues and damage to the kidneys.

My suspicions were confirmed when I noted elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values on her bloodwork. This elevation, known as azotemia, suggested that there was something wrong with this precious Papillon’s kidneys. We started treating her for NSAID toxicity right away.

Fortunately, by the third day of hospitalization and supportive care, my patient’s kidney values had gone back to normal, and she was no longer vomiting. We started a safe course of treatment for her injured leg, and it quickly improved. As for her owner, he made sure to keep his own medications out of sight! 

What’s best for your senior dog’s health

Even though we sometimes make use of human medications in veterinary medicine, dogs process medications very differently than humans. This may mean dogs need a higher dose for a medication to work, or that a very small dose could do significant harm.

Advil is the perfect example of a human medication that you should not give to your dog because it can have devastating effects. Remember, whenever you are tempted to give your dog a human medication, consult your veterinarian first. Just like you—your veterinarian wants what’s best for your dog’s health!

How do you comfort your canine companion when he’s in pain?

Share your experience in the comments so we can support our furry friends together!