What Can I Give My Dog for Pain? Safe Options for UK Dog Owners

What can I give my dog for pain? Nothing from your own medicine cabinet: ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and similar human painkillers can seriously harm dogs, even in small amounts. The safest effective pain relief is a dog-approved medication prescribed by your veterinarian after a proper examination, because the right choice depends on where the pain comes from. For everyday comfort alongside that plan, some owners add a daily hemp CBD oil for dogs routine, with their vet setting the amount. The research on CBD is mixed, and we lay it out honestly below, positive and negative results included.

Is it sudden pain or long-term pain?

Acute pain is tied to tissue damage or the threat of it: a sprain, a broken tooth, an operation. It calls for a prompt exam, short-term pain control and rest. Chronic pain, loosely defined as lasting more than three months (osteoarthritis is the classic example), needs a layered plan of medication, weight control, exercise and home changes.

Which option fits which kind of pain?

Use this table to prepare for your vet visit, not replace it. The last column is daily comfort support, never pain treatment.

What do vets prescribe for dog pain?

Your vet chooses after an exam and, for long-term drugs, blood tests. Many plans are "multimodal", combining approaches that work in different ways.

Dog-approved NSAIDs: carprofen, deracoxib, firocoxib, meloxicam

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the backbone of most dog pain plans. The US FDA has approved several for dogs, all prescription-only: carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), firocoxib (Previcox), meloxicam (Metacam) and robenacoxib. In the UK, veterinary medicines are authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). They block the COX enzymes that drive inflammation. Common side effects include vomiting, poor appetite, decreased activity and diarrhoea; serious effects can include stomach ulcers or perforation, kidney or liver failure and death, which is why vets run blood tests before and during long-term use. Two rules never bend: do not give two NSAIDs together, and do not combine an NSAID with a steroid such as prednisone. Your vet will tell you how long to wait when switching drugs. Our drug guides cover carprofen for dogs and meloxicam for dogs in detail, and our dog arthritis medicine guide compares the options.

Grapiprant (Galliprant)

Grapiprant is approved by the US FDA for dogs and grouped with the NSAIDs, but it is not a COX inhibitor: it blocks one prostaglandin receptor (EP4). Never combine it with another NSAID or a steroid. Read more in our Galliprant for dogs guide.

Bedinvetmab (Librela)

Approved by the US FDA on 5 May 2023, bedinvetmab was the first monoclonal antibody for osteoarthritis pain in dogs. It binds nerve growth factor and is given by your vet as an injection under the skin once a month. In field studies the most common finding was increased BUN. In December 2024 the US FDA sent a Dear Veterinarian letter describing adverse events reported in dogs treated with Librela, including incoordination, seizures and other neurological signs; some reports involved death or euthanasia. The US label was updated in 2025 to include these post-approval reports and to advise vets to discuss possible side effects before each injection. Causation has not been established, so talk through benefits and risks with your vet. More detail is in our Librela for dogs guide.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is used "off label" in dogs, often alongside other drugs for chronic pain, especially nerve pain. Sedation and wobbliness are the main side effects, so vets usually raise the dose gradually. Never substitute a human oral liquid: some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. See our full gabapentin for dogs article.

Amantadine

Amantadine is an add-on, not a stand-alone painkiller, and it is not approved by the US FDA for dogs. In a placebo-controlled study of 31 arthritic dogs not helped enough by an NSAID alone (Lascelles and colleagues, 2008), adding amantadine to meloxicam improved owner-rated activity and vet-rated lameness at day 42. Vets use it to reduce "wind-up", the way the nervous system amplifies long-standing pain. Our amantadine for dogs article has more.

Tramadol

In a randomised, blinded crossover trial in dogs with elbow or stifle arthritis (Budsberg and colleagues, 2018), tramadol showed no improvement over baseline or placebo, while carprofen improved results significantly. The 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines place tramadol in tier 3, citing a "demonstrated lack of efficacy in dogs".

Steroids

Steroids such as prednisone are potent anti-inflammatory drugs your vet may use for specific conditions. They must never be given with an NSAID.

Opioids

The Merck Veterinary Manual calls opioids a cornerstone of treatment, and an opioid and an NSAID are routinely used together; VCA notes opioids may play a role in severe chronic pain. After surgery, Merck describes three to five days of pain control as a useful guideline, with doses given on a schedule rather than only when the dog seems sore. Opioids for dogs are vet-dispensed only. Never give your dog a human opioid prescription.

Is your dog in pain? A quick checklist

Dogs instinctively hide pain. Answer yes or no:

• Groaning or whimpering when lying down?
• Restless, pacing, or unable to settle?
• Slow to get up, or avoiding stairs, furniture or the car?
• Withdrawn, or eating and sleeping differently?
• Accidents in the house?
• Licking or chewing one spot?
• Panting at rest, squinting or grimacing?
• Growling or snapping when touched?
• Standing or lying in an unusual posture?

Signs of mouth pain: less interest in dry food or hard treats, slower chewing, dropping food while chewing, heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, and resisting having the face touched.

Signs of ear pain: head shaking, scratching, redness and odour in the ear. A head tilt, loss of balance, circling, pain when opening the mouth or vomiting can point to a deeper inner-ear problem.

One yes is enough to call your vet; lameness over 24 hours or a swollen joint should be seen within a day.

Is there an over-the-counter pain reliever that is safe for dogs?

The US FDA notes that no over-the-counter NSAIDs are approved for dogs. A few non-prescription options are used for everyday comfort, but each one needs your vet's approval first, especially if your dog takes other medication.

CBD oil

The honest picture on CBD is mixed. In a placebo-controlled crossover trial in arthritic dogs (Gamble and colleagues, 2018), owner pain scores improved with CBD. A small double-blind trial of 20 dogs (Verrico and colleagues, 2020) also reported better scores at higher amounts. Both were small and industry-linked. A 2020 study (Brioschi and colleagues) that added CBD to standard pain medication in 21 dogs reported better owner scores than a control group, but it had no placebo. And a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 23 dogs (Mejia and colleagues, 2021) found no differences between CBD and placebo on any outcome, while 14 dogs showed raised liver enzymes. An independent evidence summary rated support for CBD as an add-on for arthritis as "weak".

Safety points to know:

• Several studies saw a rise in the liver enzyme ALP, so your vet may suggest periodic blood tests.
• CBD is processed by liver enzymes and may interact with other medications; one study saw liver enzymes rise when CBD was given with NSAIDs.
• Drowsiness and digestive changes are possible.
• The US FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals, says it cannot ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products, and recommends talking with your vet before use.

Quality is a real issue: when researchers tested 29 over-the-counter hemp pet products (Wakshlag and colleagues, 2020), only 10 were within 10% of their label claim and two had no detectable cannabinoids. That is why a clearly labelled, batch-tested product matters. Pure Majesty Pets Hemp CBD Oil lists each amount per mL (30 mg CBD, 25 mg CBDA and 5 mg CBG in a coconut MCT oil base), contains no intentionally added THC, and comes with a certificate of analysis for every batch. Your vet sets the amount, measured in mL. It is not for puppies under 6 months or pregnant or nursing dogs. To go further, read our article on CBD for dog pain and our guide to choosing CBD for dogs.

Aspirin

Aspirin is not a safe do-it-yourself choice. It is an NSAID, it can erode the stomach lining (the Merck Veterinary Manual reports erosions in half of dogs given aspirin every eight hours for two days), and it must never be combined with a prescribed NSAID or steroid. Vets now have dog-approved NSAIDs. Use aspirin only if your vet specifically directs it.

Joint supplements

Joint supplements are for long-term care, not acute pain. Small studies on ingredients such as fish-oil omega-3s, green-lipped mussel and undenatured type II collagen suggest they may support mobility. Our Hip & Joint Chews combine 17 actives, including glucosamine, green-lipped mussel and UC-II; Liquid Glucosamine and Liquid Collagen suit dogs that prefer a liquid. None of them replaces pain medication. For the full joint picture, read what can I give my dog for joint pain.

Can I give my dog human painkillers?

No. Dogs process these drugs differently from people, so a dose that is fine for you can harm them. Our can dogs take ibuprofen guide covers the details.

• Ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen): a narrow safety margin in dogs; it can cause stomach ulcers, kidney injury and, at high doses, seizures.
• Naproxen: stays in a dog's body for days; for a small dog, a single tablet can exceed the amount that has caused bleeding in the gut.
• Paracetamol (e.g. Panadol): not an NSAID, but it can damage the liver and red blood cells in dogs, and it is deadly to cats.
• Aspirin: only under direct veterinary instruction, never alongside a prescribed NSAID.

If a tablet was swallowed, call your vet or the nearest out-of-hours emergency vet clinic straight away rather than waiting for vomiting, black stools or lethargy.

What can I give my dog for pain relief at home?

• Rest: follow your vet's instructions for crate rest or lead-only walks.
• Cold for fresh injuries: in the first 24 to 72 hours, apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, never more than 30, and check the skin.
• Heat only for chronic stiffness: a warm pack with a barrier for 15 to 20 minutes can ease long-standing stiffness. Wait at least 48 hours after an injury or surgery, never heat an area that is swollen or inflamed, and never put an electric heating pad on or under your dog.
• Weight loss: in a study of 14 obese dogs with arthritis (Marshall and colleagues, 2010), lameness improved significantly once dogs had lost about 6% of their body weight.
• Controlled exercise and rehab: mild to moderate daily exercise helps arthritic dogs, while strenuous bursts should be avoided.
• Environment: rugs on slick floors, ramps for cars and sofas, extra warmth in cold, damp weather, and thick bedding.
• Acupuncture: evidence is mixed; side effects are few when a trained vet performs it.

Our guide on how to help a dog with arthritis at home goes room by room.

Why Pure Majesty Pets for everyday comfort

• Transparent CBD label: 30 mg CBD, 25 mg CBDA and 5 mg CBG per mL.
• Broad joint formula: Hip & Joint Chews with 17 actives in a soft chew.
• Quality you can check: made in North America in GMP facilities, with a certificate of analysis for every batch.
• Free worldwide shipping on every order.
• Clear prices: CBD Oil £25, Hip & Joint Chews £42, Liquid Glucosamine £25, Liquid Collagen £25, Dental Powder £38, Ear Cleaner £23, Melatonin £25.

Frequently asked questions

What can I give my dog for pain relief at home?

No human painkillers. Rest your dog, use a towel-wrapped cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes in the first 24 to 72 hours after an injury, keep weight down, and add rugs and soft bedding. Call your vet if pain lasts or is severe.

Is there an over-the-counter pain reliever that is safe for dogs?

No over-the-counter NSAID is approved for dogs by the US FDA. Some owners use CBD oil or joint supplements for everyday comfort, but these do not replace prescribed pain medication, and you should check with your vet first, especially if your dog takes other drugs.

Can I give my dog aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen?

Not on your own. Ibuprofen and naproxen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney damage in dogs, and paracetamol can harm the liver and red blood cells. Aspirin should only be used if your vet specifically directs it, and never with a prescribed NSAID or steroid.

What do vets prescribe for dog pain?

Dog-approved NSAIDs such as carprofen, meloxicam or grapiprant, a monthly Librela injection for arthritis, add-ons such as gabapentin or amantadine, and opioids for severe or surgical pain.

How can I tell if my dog is in pain?

Watch for restlessness, panting at rest, reluctance to get up or use stairs, licking one spot, appetite or sleep changes, and growling when touched. Dogs hide pain, so one sign is worth a call to your vet.

Does CBD help dogs with pain?

The evidence is mixed. Some small studies, several of them industry-funded, reported improved owner pain scores in dogs with arthritis, while a placebo-controlled trial found no difference. CBD may support everyday comfort, can raise liver enzymes and may interact with other medications, so ask your vet first.

Is gabapentin or tramadol better for dogs?

They are used differently. Gabapentin is used off label, mainly for nerve-related and chronic pain. Tramadol did no better than placebo for arthritis pain in a controlled trial, and the 2022 AAHA guidelines cite a demonstrated lack of efficacy in dogs. Your vet chooses based on the cause.

When is dog pain an emergency?

Go to your vet or an out-of-hours emergency clinic immediately for sudden severe lameness, pain after trauma, puncture wounds or heavy bleeding, a swollen belly with unproductive retching (possible bloat), severe or constant pain, or if your dog swallowed a human painkiller. Lameness lasting more than 24 hours should be checked within a day.

The bottom line

So, what can I give my dog for pain? Not anything from the human medicine cabinet. Call your vet: a dog-approved medication chosen for the specific kind of pain is the safest effective relief. Rest, well-timed cold or heat, a lean weight and a softer home all help.

Sources: FDA, Librela approval; FDA, Librela letter; AAHA, Librela label; dvm360, Librela label; FDA, pet pain relievers; Merck, analgesic toxicity; Merck, chronic pain; Merck, pain alleviation; Merck, acupuncture; Merck, when to see a vet; AAHA 2022 guidelines; VCA, pain management; VCA, gabapentin; VCA, pain signs; VCA, dental pain; VCA, otitis externa; VCA, otitis interna; VCA, bloat; Lascelles 2008; Budsberg 2018 (dvm360); Gamble 2018; Verrico 2020; Brioschi 2020; Mejia 2021; Veterinary Evidence; Wakshlag 2020; Veterinary Practice News; FDA, cannabis products; Roush 2010; Marshall 2010; Bowditch 2022.

This article is for informational purposes and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any supplement or medication, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, on medication, or has a diagnosed condition.