Advice For Reducing Your Dog’s Aches And Pains

It’s very distressing to see your dog in pain. We know because we’ve been there!

Various illnesses, physical injury, infection and arthritis are the common culprits. Some causes, on the other hand, aren’t so easy to pin down.

Can I Give My Dog Something For Pain?One thing is for sure:

Lingering pain must be addressed. If you can, get a diagnosis. Otherwise, pain can cause a pet dog to develop aggressive behavior and a vicious cycle of unhappiness ensues.

Are you looking for a safe solution for a furry friend (rather than using potentially dangerous medications)? There are ways to help! Keep reading…

Your Dog Does Not Have To Suffer With Pain

Let’s touch on medications first, but also look at various other options.

Conventional Pain Meds

Providing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory to your dog certainly isn’t without risks.

They are often effective, but also quite dangerous. You must talk with your vet before administering any potent drugs.

The thing is…

Powerful drugs can easily cause more suffering. Pain reducing pharmaceuticals are a double edge sword and this is particularly true for puppies and dogs with liver, kidney, heart and/or intestinal problems.

That’s not to say all brands are totally off limits!

Rimadyl has a pretty good reputation for helping dogs as does Metacam and Previcox. Talk to your vet about those particular names.

A Hot or Cold Compress

A hot or cold compress is a proven way to, at least temporarily, ease your buddy’s pain.

This will also relax and soothe your dog.

Watch this video!

A cold compress minimizes swelling, while a hot compress can reduce most aches and pains. Heat is especially useful for a pulled muscle but also for arthritis.

Acupuncture Alternative

Keep an open mind and consider unconventional alternatives.

Many dogs, having struggled with pain for a long time, can be helped with acupuncture.

Yes, it’s a pain solution for pets. In fact, vets are increasingly taking interest in this ancient field of medicine because it works!

A Diagnosis Comes First

We understand it can be expensive, but you really should get your dog properly diagnosed.

There may be something going on with their internals and that would require a thorough check-up.

Avoid experimental treatments whatever you do and, instead, do your best to address the actual source. That’s how you can truly eliminate a pet’s pain problems.


FYI: A top contributor to dog depression is ongoing, debilitating pain.


More Pet Pain Pointers

Constant movement may worsen your dog’s condition.

Temporarily crating them can prevent injuries when they’re most vulnerable.

You may need to put a stop to extended walks for the time being. Have your dog take it easy until their pain subsides.

Eating may also become a challenge. Pets tend to lose their appetites when not feeling well. The same goes for water, so focus on keeping your dog hydrated.

The Bottom Line

As we have discussed here, there are several options for easing a precious pet dog’s pain.

The most popular treatment remains NSAIDs, though there are considerable downsides that need to be well understood.

A vet’s diagnosis and expert care is, by far, smartest way to go about treating a dog with persistent pain.

But, at least in the short term, quality pet pain pills are much preferred to human drugs.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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41 thoughts on “Advice For Reducing Your Dog’s Aches And Pains”

  1. My dog weighs about 70 pounds. She hurt her knee while running. Everything the vet has given her is too expensive. I’m retired and I can’t afford it. I also giver her Phenobarbital for her seizures. What can I give for her knee pain?

  2. I have a Cavapoo-mixed and today, while he playing was in the house, he got his nail caught on one of my door rugs. Now he is limping. I was wondering is there anything I can give him for the pain?

  3. Most of my dogs have lived to nearly 20 years old. As a result, they suffer from pain/old joints and inflammation. I can’t afford to go to the vet for a prescription so I’ve started giving my dog a Cox-1 inhibitor.

    Based on 90 pounds, for example, I take a 200mg tab and cut it in half. Then in half again and then crush that 1/4 tablet and put it in food just before dinner. It helped a lot, but I noticed that it had negative results on some of my dogs.

    Later I learned that a Cox-2 Inhibitor is better, but I had to downsize the dose. I would take a 350mg tab and cut it in half then 1/4 and then cut the quarter tab in half again. Crush that 1/8 of a pill, put it in American cheese.

    I have done some reading on this and dogs do not process their food as fast as we do so it’s more of a danger for them because those kinds of meds will sit in their stomach. Plus Cox-1 inhibitors block enzymes that protect the stomach. Cox-2 inhibitors don’t normally do that.

    Never give your pet Aspirin or Tylenol (not even in low doses). I have had a dog all my life and I love them, but their care has gotten so expensive. Vets are a necessary part of owning a dog but we need to be realistic. My dog’s care cost me more then my own care!

  4. There are lots of natural anti-inflammatories and pain killers available especially indicated for pets. I don’t see any reason why anyone should give their dog a human painkiller since they’re often contraindicated for animals.

    With my dog we give her an all natural anti-inflammatory that I buy online. It has Devil’s Claw and Yucca and doesn’t have any bad side effects. I use it to treat discomfort associated with arthritis.

    However, if my dog started to be in obvious discomfort for an unknown reason, I would first take her to the vet immediately.

  5. I have a Toy Poodle who is 11 years old. She is overweight and has been drinking a lot of water. I noticed that she has knots on her back area. She won’t let me clip her and is temperamental and has bit me in the past. She seems to be constipated and had a large bowel movement that was stuck to her butt.

    I put her in the tub of warm water 2 times to try to remove it and got some off. She won’t let me touch her to get the rest off and tries to bite me. She has been crying off and on since last night. I don’t have the money to have her groomed or take her to the vet, since I am a senior on a fixed income. What should I do to help her?

  6. We have a 7 year old miniature Pinscher Chihuahua mix. He has developed a severe fear of the vet after having his nail cut which made him bleed. Now when we get into the vet’s clinic parking lot he just goes crazy and we are unable to even get him out of the car.

    He bit my husband in his frenzy last time. We have tried going to other vets but the same thing happens when we get into the building and we were refused service the last time. Now he is acting like he has pain.

    I remember that he was trying to go out of the door yesterday and it hit him in the side and he yelped. He was okay after that but today he is acting like something hurts. When I picked him up, holding him under his belly, he yelped and jumped down. What can I do?

    1. Ask your vet about a calming drug, natural or man made.

  7. My dog Walter went the groomer last Saturday, the same groomer for the last 5 years. He looked good and I brought him home. Later he began to scratch his shoulders with his hind legs, so bad that the shoulders began the bleed. I called the groomer and they claimed nothing new was used. Walter has an injury so bad, he can’t jump at all and has trouble walking sometimes.

  8. Thank you for sharing this information on what we can do when our dog is injured. I just bought a Golden Retriever and he is so much fun. Recently he has been having problems with his back leg. He seems to be limping quite a bit. I am not sure what to do. Like you said, it’s important to find a good veterinarian to provide a proper diagnosis.

  9. We got a 6 month old Yorkiepoo from a breeder who was going to put the pup down because he broke his leg and it never set properly. He’s always limped but he’s now 2 1/2 years old and limps more noticeably when the weather is humid. Any ideas on how to treat this?

    1. I would take him to the vet to have x-rays done. Then they’ll be able to make a suggestion. They will likely want to re-break the bone and set it correctly, and may even want to put a plate in to keep in strong. I’d do it now, while he’s young, as the time to heal will be less than later down the road.

      Plus, depending on the severity of the injury, it may be affecting his kneecap which will cause unnecessary stress and eventually arthritis including Patellar luxation.

  10. I have an 11 month old Morkie who is normally very active. He was fine one minute, and then the next he was limping. I didn’t see it happen, but I believe he may have jumped from my king size bed and landed incorrectly. I checked his leg and he lets me touch it with no problem. There are no issues with his nails or webbing. I’m not sure how to ease his discomfort. Please help, it breaks my heart to see him uncomfortable.

  11. My girl’s puppy can’t walk and I think she may have a broke leg. What can I do for pain? The pet hospitals are too expensive. I don’t like to see her suffer like this. Can she have any pain meds?

    1. Take your dog to the veterinarian so they can set her leg if it’s broken. She is your baby so don’t let her suffer. If you can’t afford a vet, then surrender her to a vet so they can take care of her.

  12. I have a puppy that cut her foot open on top. It is quite small, about 1 centimeter, but I can see in her actions and movements that she’s in pain. Can I give her aspirin?

    1. No, do not give aspirin or paracetamols like Panadol. Those are poisons for dogs!

  13. I have an eight month old Labradoodle-Dogue de Bordeaux. He is really limping and very quiet. He’s always lying down and lost a lot of weight. What I can do to get my lively happy puppy back?

  14. My sister’s dog is a 14 year old Boston Terrier with very bad dental disease. She can’t afford a vet and I feel the dog is suffering. She has all the symptoms of periodontal disease. Her nose runs and she has few teeth as well as the worst breath on earth. She is thinning due to not eating much, feeling bad, old age and lack of teeth. How can my sister help her ease her way out of this life without the expensive care of a veterinarian? It pains me to watch both my sister and the dog, Molly, go through this. Can you help us relieve the pain for the dog?

    1. You need to put her down. 14 years is the end of the road for a dog. Your sister shouldn’t just keep her living a painful life.

      1. Thanks Zack. I would put her down if she were mine but she’s not and my sister has an extremely hard time dealing with it. I feel for the both of them.

      2. When a dog can no longer enjoy life, or receive care to help, you can make that decision. Age is not a disease and I had a 4 1/2 pound Toy Fox Terrier who lived 21 years, good years. I put him down at 21 due to his quickly declining health. Age is not the only factor.

      3. My dog is 16 years old and is doing well. If she stopped eating, and was not able to enjoy life, I would have her put down. It’s a hard choice for sure.

  15. My Shih Tzu is in pain. His tail is down and I see a lot of saliva around his mouth. The vet is really expensive, are there any home remedies?

  16. My 7 month old dog has been neutered today and was wondering if I can give him some pain relief. The vet only gave him 2 days worth of pain meds. I don’t want to see him in pain.

    1. Take him back to the vet!

  17. I’ve been a parent to many animals through the years. Glucosamine, heating pad and massage are things that work for pain. Vets in Canada and the US are outrages in price, it’s amazing to me that they charge so much. If they made it cheaper to care for our pets, then maybe most of us would rush to the vet right away.

  18. My parents have 2 dogs. Their Bulldog (10 years old) has a big tumor on his lip and is developing more tumors on his body. Their French Border Collie (4 years old) has hip dysplasia and arthritis. This dog is in a lot of pain at times and can’t get up.

    He’s on strong pain meds and over time this is dangerous to his health. They spent 3,000 dollars on his knee because there was a tear. He was doing good at first but now he’s back to limping and pain. Any suggestions to sooth his pain?

    1. Try a cold compress to ease his pain. Good luck!

    2. My friend’s dog is 15 years old and couldn’t walk on his own a year ago due to limited paralysis in his hindquarters. She put him on an herbal formula called Inflapotion and he showed improvement within 48 hours. Today, he runs and plays (he’s a little stiff – but still gets his puppy on) and still takes his herbs daily.

      1. Cheryl, my dog has been experiencing pain in hind quarters as well. Where did you purchase this product called Inflapotion?

  19. My 8 year old 55 pound female dog snagged one of her nails and it broke off last night. It was bleeding for a minute or two and has not since. She is in pain and she will let out a little whine once in while. It’s her paw, I guess you would consider it her thumb, so she isn’t limping. The end of what is left of her nail is pink. Can I give her anything over-the-counter for pain?

    1. Please take your dog to the vet. You want to be sure that no infection developed or is developing. We just took Lucy, our 14 month old Labrador mix, to the vet for the same problem. There was damage to her cuticle and an infection present which wasn’t apparent to us. Had this infection worsened, amputation could have become necessary. Lucy’s nail was removed. She’s being treated with antibiotics and her nail is expected to grow back normally. Your dog is telling you something is wrong.

  20. I have a 14 year old dog Lab mix weighing about 90 pounds. She can hardly walk outside to do her business twice a day. I bring her food and water to her. She is on Tramadol for pain. She has arthritis, maybe cancer, and heart murmur.

    The vet can’t renew her prescription without seeing her again. I understand there are laws about this so I understand the vet’s standpoint. But she is not able to walk that far and I can’t get her in the car anymore to take her. Is there anything else I could give her? I don’t want her suffering through her last days.

    1. Ruth, this is not medical advice on dosage, but if the dog has already been taking it, consider going online and exploring. Google “medicine without a prescription.” Also, my sister lives near Mexico, and she makes regular trips across border.

      You can walk into pharmacies there and buy most of the drugs we in USA would need an RX for. Have you spoken directly to your vet? My vet is very accommodating with regard to this sort of thing. If they are not in the business solely to prey on your pocketbook, they might have some options.

      1. My dog was on Tramadol during his last couple of months of cancer. It was too hard and too cruel to try to get him in the car for a new script. Instead, I went to my doctor and said I was suffering from neck pain. I told the doctor the truth, that I had taken Panadeine but it never helped. I asked for a Tramadol script. It’s lucky my neck improved and I had enough to keep our precious dog comfortable.

    2. Consider an alternative to drugs. There are herbal formulas out there that work remarkably well without the harmful side effects.

  21. Pain relievers that are safe for dogs include:

    – Metacam
    Bayer
    – Aspirin
    – Baby Aspirin

    Stick to baby aspirin or very low doses for puppies or smaller dogs.

    1. Aspirin is not a great thing to give dogs or cats especially if they are bleeding or prone to bleeding easily, as it can make this worse. Aspirin is a blood thinner. Ask a vet before you give your dog any pain meds to be on the safe side.

    2. I have been a vet for 23 years. Advice from Terrance is not correct. You should never give your dog aspirin, Bayer etc. or other pain relievers which have Acetaminophen in them. Severe kidney/liver damage can occur from these over-the-counter drugs. Call you regular veterinarian and discuss this matter with him or her.

  22. My dog won’t get out of her dog bed and she is shivering. What do we give her to help?

    1. She is either cold or is afraid of something. Hold the dog like a baby in your arms until they calm down or go to a vet.

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