Carprofen for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage

Carprofen for dogs is one of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) veterinarians prescribe for dogs. So there is a good chance your dog will take it at some point in his or her life. To help you understand a bit more about this helpful pain medication, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains the uses, dosage, side effects, and contraindications of carprofen for dogs.

I’m a veterinarian who loves senior dogs and spends a lot of time helping dog parents navigate their dogs’ golden years. So it is only natural that I see and hear about a lot of dogs who have arthritis or other orthopedic diseases that make them stiff and painful.

I know it is heartbreaking for dog parents to see their best friend suddenly limping or showing signs of pain. And it’s hard for me to watch too. This is why, as a veterinarian, one of my favorite things to discuss with senior dog parents (or the parents of any dog in pain) is pain management.

Thankfully, there are many great options for natural pain relief for dogs—from dog chiropractors to laser therapy—and more. And there are also a wide variety of pain medications for dogs, including one of my favorites—carprofen for dogs.

Carprofen for dogs at a glance

Brand names…	Rimadyl®, Novox®, Vetprofen®, Rimifin®, Carpox®, Norocarp®, and Levafen®
Often used to treat…	Acute or chronic pain and inflammation due to surgical procedures, orthopedic problems, cancer, ear infections, UTIs, or other conditions
Some common side effects…	Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite, lethargy
Available by…	Prescription only

What is carprofen for dogs?

Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly prescribed for dogs to reduce pain and inflammation. Carprofen is the generic name. But is also available under several different brand names like:

• Rimadyl®
• Novox®
• Vetprofen®
• Rimifin®
• Carpox®
• Norocarp®
• Levafen®.

All of these products are available by prescription only.

In veterinary medicine, carprofen is FDA approved to treat pain and inflammation in dogs. But vets sometimes use it off-label (or extra label) for other animals like small mammals and reptiles. However, in general it should not be used for cats.

How does carprofen work?

Like other NSAIDs, carprofen works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. Among other things, COX enzymes are responsible for stimulating the release of different inflammatory mediators that cause inflammation and pain in dogs.

But since carprofen blocks the action of these enzymes, it prevents them from starting the inflammatory cascade. As a result, carprofen can reduce inflammation and the dog’s pain at the same time. This makes it different than other pain relievers like tramadol, gabapentin, and amantadine, which only target pain, not inflammation.

What is carprofen used for in dogs?

Carprofen is effective for both acute (i.e. sudden) and chronic (i.e. long-standing) pain and inflammation. Some of the many uses for carprofen include:

• Control of postoperative pain and inflammation after soft tissue surgeries (e.g. spay, neuter, tumor removal, etc.), dental procedures (e.g. dog tooth extraction), or orthopedic surgeries (e.g. dog hip replacement)
• Relief of pain and inflammation from conditions such as UTIs or ear infections
• Management of pain and inflammation due to orthopedic conditions such as elbow or hip dysplasia, IVDD, torn ACL, luxating patella, osteoarthritis, fractures, soft tissue injuries, etc.
• Reduction of cancer-related pain (e.g. osteosarcoma in dogs or prostate cancer in dogs)
• Control of fever or other painful or inflammatory conditions

What forms does carprofen come in?

Conveniently, carprofen is available as an injection, chewable tablet, and caplet (non-chewable tablet).

Carprofen injection for dogs

Typically, veterinarians use the injectable form of carprofen in the hospital setting. For example, they may administer a carprofen injection before or after surgery. Or they may give injectable carprofen to a hospitalized dog.

Carprofen chewable tablets or caplets

Then, for at-home use, the vet will prescribe carprofen chewable tablets or caplets. These pills come in 25 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg sizes that you can split in half. This makes it easy to find the right dose for a variety of sizes of dogs.

Dogs tend to find chewable carprofen quite tasty, which is good for getting them to take it. However, this also means that dogs may chew up the bottle and eat all the tablets. Plus, some cats may eat a chewable carprofen tablet that gets dropped or left out. Both of these situations can lead to carprofen toxicity, which is dangerous for the dog or cat.

Therefore, it is important to store carprofen out of reach of your dog. And always watch carefully to ensure that your dog actually swallows the carprofen when you administer it. This helps cut down on the wrong dog (or cat) eating the carprofen instead.

Other forms of carprofen

It is also possible to get carprofen compounded into a liquid if your dog won’t take pills. However, if you think you need to crush the carprofen for your dog, please consult your veterinarian. Depending on the brand and form, it may or may not be ok to crush carprofen.

What is the carprofen dosage for dogs?

The carprofen dosage for dogs is based on a dog’s weight. Depending on how your veterinarian prefers to dose carprofen, you may be instructed to give your dog the tablet or caplet once a day or twice a day by mouth. Also, the vet will typically recommend giving carprofen with food to avoid stomach upset.

Safety note: You should NOT give your dog Advil (ibuprofen), naproxen, or other human NSAIDs as these medications are not safe for dogs. Instead, your dog should take NSAIDs such as carprofen which were designed and studied for dogs specifically.

How long does it take carprofen to work?

Carprofen is rapidly absorbed and usually begins working in one to two hours. After this time, your dog’s symptoms should begin to improve as the pain decreases. Then, by following your veterinarian’s dosing instructions carefully, the carprofen will hopefully keep your dog’s pain under control.

However, if your dog’s pain does not seem to be responding, please contact your veterinarian for advice. Do not modify your dog’s carprofen dose or frequency on your own. The dosage for once-a-day administration is double that for twice-a-day administration, so it is important that you follow the label directions. Otherwise, you run the risk of over dosing your dog, which can be dangerous and lead to an increased risk of side effects.

What are the side effects of carprofen?

Carprofen is a safe medication for most dogs when used according to the veterinarian’s directions. However, even at the labeled dose and frequency, some dogs may experience side effects, which may be mild or more serious.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Of the many NSAIDs for dogs, Carprofen is one of the ones that tends to have less GI side effects. However, some dogs still experience:

• Vomiting—Vomiting is one of the more common side effects of carprofen. Your dog may be licking his or her lips or drooling due to nausea, and some dogs actually vomit. Most of the time the vomiting is mild and resolves if you give the Carprofen with food. However, some dogs will experience more profuse vomiting which may contain blood.
• Diarrhea—GI upset from carprofen can cause diarrhea (including blood in dog diarrhea). Diarrhea is the other most common side effect of carprofen.
• Constipation—While less common that diarrhea, some dogs on carprofen may strain to produce a hard stool or not poop as frequently as usual.
• Decreased appetite—Your dog may not want to eat as much as usual, only want to eat treats, or not want to eat at all.
• Stomach pain—The dog may stand in a hunched up or play bow position due to abdominal pain.

Stomach ulcers

Additionally, carprofen (and other NSAIDS that inhibit the COX pathway) can cause stomach ulcers in dogs. One arm of the COX pathway (COX-2) mediates inflammation. But the other arm (COX -1) has housekeeping effects in the body such as protecting the stomach lining from the acidic stomach contents.

While carprofen mostly blocks COX-2, it does have some COX-1 blocking effects. Therefore, carprofen may make the stomach lining more vulnerable to ulceration. These ulcers may bleed or eat through the stomach wall.

Dogs with GI bleeding from a carprofen-induced stomach ulcer may have black or tarry stool due to the presence of digested blood. If they lose enough blood to cause anemia in dogs, they may also have pale gums. Plus, dogs with stomach ulcers can have the other GI signs listed above.

Side effects related to liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

While it isn’t common, some dogs, especially older Labrador Retrievers, have an idiosyncratic reaction (i.e. unexpected individual reaction that could not be predicted) to the carprofen that leads to liver damage. It more commonly occurs within the first three weeks of therapy and can be associated with long-term use of carprofen. Signs of hepatoxicity (liver damage) from carprofen include:

• High liver enzymes in dogs—The dog may have elevations in ALT, AST, bilirubin, and ALKP on blood work.
• Yellow skin or eyes —Liver damage may lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes (i.e. jaundice). It is usually easiest to see a yellowish tint to the skin on the inside of the ears, belly, and other minimally-haired areas.
• GI upset—Dogs suffering from liver damage may also vomit or have a poor appetite. Thus, it is best to check in with your vet if you notice GI-related symptoms.

Thankfully, carprofen-associated hepatocellular toxicity in dogs generally resolves after stopping the carprofen.

Kidney-related side effects

In healthy dogs, no studies have found an association between kidney injury and standard doses of carprofen. However, carprofen can contribute to acute kidney failure in dogs if the dog has poor blood flow to the kidneys or is already at risk for kidney disease. Signs of kidney disease include:

• Changes in thirst—Depending on the situation, you may notice increased thirst in dogs or your dog may not be drinking as much as usual.
• Changes in urination—Your dog may urinate more or less frequently than normal or the urine may have an abnormal smell or color.
• Poor appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea—Since these signs are nonspecific, it is important to make a veterinary appointment to help distinguish between GI upset from the carprofen and kidney disease.

Does carprofen make a dog sleepy?

Carprofen shouldn’t make dogs sleepy because it doesn’t have any sedative effects. However, you may still notice some lethargy or increased sleeping in dogs who are taking carprofen. This could happen for a few reasons.

Painful dogs may be restless and not sleep as well. When you decrease their pain with carprofen, they sleep more simply because they feel better and can rest more comfortably. However, if your dog is sick from the carprofen, he or she might also not be feeling good and therefore be more lethargic.

Thus, you and your vet will need to look for clues such as your dog’s overall demeanor and other symptoms to try to figure out why your dog seems more lethargic or sleepy.

Miscellaneous side effects

Occasionally, dogs may also have side effects that don’t fit into those other categories. Additional side effects of carprofen include:

• Behavior changes—Dogs may become restless, disoriented, or aggressive while taking carprofen.
• Dermatitis—Rarely, dogs may experience inflamed, itchy, or red skin and/or increased shedding.
• Incoordination or paralysis—Your dog might be stumbling or having trouble getting up and walking.
• Seizures—While uncommon, seizures have occasionally been reported.
• Allergic reactions—Like any medication, dogs can have an allergic reaction to carprofen. Signs include facial swelling, hives, itching, and skin redness.
• Changes in blood clotting—Carprofen can block platelet clumping, which is necessary for clotting. Therefore, some dogs may be prone to excessive bleeding.

Is panting a side effect of carprofen?

Carprofen should not cause panting directly. However, there are several possible explanations for a dog who is taking carprofen and panting. Since panting is a sign of pain or anxiety, it is possible that the carprofen is not sufficient to control the dog’s pain or that the dog is feeling anxious. Alternatively, the dog may be panting due to another condition such as Cushing’s disease.

Side effects of long term use of carprofen for dogs

Several studies, plus the clinical experience of many veterinarians, have demonstrated that the majority of dogs tolerate carprofen well on a long-term basis. Many dogs end up taking carprofen daily for weeks, months, or even years for orthopedic conditions or other problems that cause ongoing pain and do not experience significant side effects.

However, your vet will mostly likely want to check your dog’s blood work three to four weeks after starting the carprofen and then every three to six months while taking the carprofen. This can help ensure that the carprofen isn’t having any negative effects on your dog’s kidneys, liver, or other organs.

Additionally, it is important to continue to watch your dog for new symptoms or side effects and report them to your vet promptly. Your vet can help you determine if they could be related to the carprofen or something else and what the best course of action would be.

What should I do if my dog develops side effects from the carprofen?

If you notice any side effects (whether mild or severe), call your vet right away, and don’t give your dog any more carprofen until you speak to your vet. This is especially important if your dog is having a severe reaction to the carprofen.

Depending on your dog and the symptoms, your veterinarian will make a decision on how to proceed. Sometimes he or she may simply switch to a different pain medication. Other times, the vet may recommend you bring your dog to the office for an exam.

Your vet may want to run blood work such as a complete blood count to check for low red blood cell count, which may indicate GI bleeding. Or the vet may recommend a chemistry panel to evaluate your dog’s kidney and liver values. This is important because side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, or lethargy can just be due to GI upset. But they could also point to much more serious problems like kidney or liver dysfunction.

Which dogs should not take carprofen?

While I know that these side effects (especially liver and kidney toxicity) can sound scary, the good news is that carprofen doesn’t cause any issues for many dogs. However, there are some situations where carprofen is contraindicated. If that is the case, your veterinarian will help you find safer alternatives for treating your dog’s pain.

Dogs with liver or kidney problems

Let’s take a look at some conditions where carprofen may not be the best choice—starting with kidney disease or liver disease in dogs. Since the liver and kidneys help break down and excrete carprofen, it is typically contraindicated in dogs with either condition.

Therefore, your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork to screen your dog for pre-existing kidney and liver disease before starting carprofen and periodically while on carprofen. This screening is especially important for dogs who may be on carprofen long-term (rather than for an acute problem) or those with risk factors that may predispose them to adverse effects.

Other conditions where carprofen is contraindicated

Additionally, other contraindications for carprofen include:

• Bleeding disorders like Von Willebrand disease
• Low platelets in dogs, such as from immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP)
• Severe dehydration
• Severe heart disease in dogs—Dogs with significant heart failure may have decreased blood flow to the kidneys, which puts them at higher risk for kidney injuries due to carprofen. However, dogs with more mild heart disease may be able to safely take NSAIDs like carprofen.
• Chronic gastrointestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or GI ulceration
• Pregnant dogs
• Lactating dogs—Safety in lactating dogs has not been well established, however a 2022 study in Theriogenology demonstrated that low levels of carprofen pass into the milk when used for post-op pain. Thus, some veterinarians may choose to use carprofen in lactating dogs for pain control after a c-section. However, mastitis (mammary gland infection) increases the amount of carprofen that crosses into the milk, so using it in that situation may be more risky.
• Puppies who are less than six weeks old
• History of allergic reactions to carprofen or other NSAIDs

Since there are a wide range of conditions that may make carprofen more risky, your vet will perform a thorough physical exam and possibly bloodwork before starting the carprofen. Plus, he or she will review all of your dog’s current medications and supplements.

Which medications don’t mix with carprofen?

Some common medications that should not be used at the same time as carprofen (or used with extreme caution) include:

• Steroids (e.g. prednisone for dogs and dexamethasone)
• Anticoagulants (i.e. blood thinners)
• ACE inhibitors like enalapril for dogs
• Diuretics including furosemide
• Other NSAIDS like meloxicam or Deramaxx®
• Cyclosporine
• Methotrexate
• Aspirin or clopidogrel
• Cisplatin
• Tri-cyclic antidepressants (i.e. clomipramine)

It is always a good idea to have a list of your dog’s current medications and supplements with you at your vet appointment. That way the vet can ensure that your dog isn’t taking something that might interact poorly with carprofen.

Which medications can be used with carprofen?

Despite the list above, there are plenty of medications that do “play nicely” with carprofen. Let’s take a look at a few common medications that your dog might take at the same time as carprofen.

• Gabapentin—Your vet might recommend giving carprofen and gabapentin for dogs together to increase your dog’s pain relief. This is a helpful combination because carprofen and gabapentin work differently in your dog’s system and have an additive effect to decrease pain.
• Tramadol—In the same way, your vet may recommend using tramadol for dogs and carprofen together to provide additional pain management.
• Benadryl—If your dog has a painful condition and is itchy from allergies, it is generally fine to combine carprofen and Benadryl for dogs (or carprofen and most, but not all, other allergy medicines for dogs). Please note…
  • Make sure Benadryl doesn’t contain xylitol (a.k.a birch sugar), a sugar substitute that is dangerous for dogs.
  • Diphenhydramine should be the only active ingredient. Don’t use Benadryl products that contain any additional active ingredients as they can be harmful for dogs.
• Amantadine—To manage severe or chronic pain, the vet may recommend using carprofen and amantadine for dogs.
• Trazodone—If your dog recently had surgery and needs to remain calm, or if your dog is becoming anxious, the vet might suggest carprofen and trazodone for dogs.

Please remember—it isn’t possible to list every possible drug interaction or safe combination here. So if your dog is taking any medications or supplements, it is important that you share the names with your veterinarian. Even if you believe the medication is safe to use with carprofen, please verify that with your veterinarian before giving it.

What else do I need to know about giving my dog carprofen?

There is a lot to remember about carprofen, so I want to offer six final considerations and tips:

1. Dogs who are taking carprofen long-term should have regular monitoring and blood work performed by a veterinarian. Your vet will let you know what sort of monitoring schedule is right for your dog.
2. If you skip or miss a dose of carprofen, you can give it if it’s only a few hours late. But if the next dose is due within eight hours or less, consult your veterinarian before giving the missed dose, or wait until the next scheduled dose.
3. Keep carprofen out of reach of children and other pets at all times. As discussed earlier, the chewable tablets are apparently very tasty, so if given the chance, a dog may decide to eat the whole bottle. This could be life-threatening.
4. Dogs who are taking carprofen should be properly hydrated and have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
5. If you believe your dog received an overdose of carprofen, please consult your veterinarian immediately, take your dog to the nearest vet clinic, or contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (a fee may apply).
6. Report all side effects to your veterinarian promptly and do not give your dog any more carprofen until you get the ok from your vet. Continuing to give carprofen in the face of GI ulcers, kidney failure, or liver toxicity can make those conditions even worse.

Talk with your veterinarian about carprofen

I know that we have talked about a lot of side effects, contraindications, drug interactions, and other somewhat worrisome things. But I want you to know that overall, carprofen is a great choice for many dogs. It is highly effective at relieving pain and inflammation and typically safe when used and monitored correctly.

I’ve prescribed carprofen to hundreds of patients so far in my veterinary career and given it to my own dogs too. There have been some dogs who didn’t tolerate it well. But for the most part, my patients (and my own dogs) have greatly benefited from carprofen’s pain and inflammation-reducing properties.

So if your vet recommends carprofen, don’t be afraid to say “yes.” I think you will find that it helps your dog become less painful and more comfortable quickly. And that’s always a good thing!