Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for Pain Relief in Dogs

Yes, we can give dogs Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for pain, but use caution because Tylenol may cause harm. Do not give Tylenol to cats.

The Tylenol Dose for Dogs                

The Tylenol dose for dogs is 10-15 mg/kg up to three times a day.
Always use the lowest dose that provides pain relief. Never give your pet Tylenol if it has a poor appetite, gut upset, or liver or kidney disease until you’ve discussed it with your veterinarian.

Tylenol is sold in many different concentrations, from 80 to 650 mg/tablet, so do your math carefully to calculate the correct dose.

 For example, a healthy 10 kg dog (22 lb) can be given 100-150 mg of Tylenol every 8 hours. It would be safe to give this dog 1 and ½ of an 80 mg tablet, but it would not be safe to give this dog ½ of a 325 mg tablet.

 A 20 kg dog (44 lb) can be given 200-300 mg of Tylenol every 8 hours. It would be safe to give this dog 3 of the 80 mg Tylenol tablets, but why not start with two tablets every 8 hours and see if a lower dose provides pain relief. If not, increase to 300 mg three times a day maximum.

Extended Release Tylenol

Don’t give your dog an extended release Tylenol tablet because your pet may chew the pill, suddenly releasing a toxic amount of acetaminophen.

Tylenol Overdose, Symptoms From Giving Too Much Tylenol

Too much Tylenol can kill a dog by breaking down its red blood cells. Because red blood cells carry oxygen, dogs overdosed with Tylenol become weak, chilled, dyspnic (difficulty breathing), and cyanotic (blue). Material released from the damaged red blood cells (methhemoglobin) will be toxic to your dog’s liver and kidneys, causing brown urine (methhemoglobinuria) and yellow eyes, mucous membranes and skin (jaundice).

If you give too much Tylenol, your dog may vomit, and its paws and jowls may become puffy (oedematous) as fluid leaks from its blood vessels.

Symptoms of Tylenol toxicity are most likely in dogs that are given too much Tylenol, usually more than 100 mg/kg, but Tylenol toxicity has occurred in dogs given much less, even in dogs given a normal dose.

 Tylenol toxicity can occur with the very first dose but more commonly it occurs after extended use.

Cats and Tylenol

In cats, Tylenol toxicity can occur with a single, small dose, such as 10 mg/kg.

Don’t give Tylenol to your cat.

Tylenol Combined With Other Medication

Tylenol is often combined with other medications, including aspirin and codeine. These combination medications can be safely given to dogs if precautions are taken.

Tylenol and Aspirin

Aspirin is different than Tylenol because aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs often cause erosion of the stomach lining after only one dose.

Most dogs tolerate NSAID use because they make epilipoxins that stabilize stomach lining, preventing widespread erosion and ulcers. Use of a single NSAID is reasonably safe, but using two different NSAIDS sharply increases the possibility of severe ulcers and NSAID toxicity.

Because Tylenol is not an NSAID, it is much safer to give aspirin and Tylenol together than it is to give aspirin and with another NSAID, such as ibuprofen.

The Difference Between Tylenol and NSAIDs

Tylenol controls pain and fever, but does not reduce inflammation. NSAIDs, like aspirin, Metacam (meloxicam), Rimadyl (carprofen), Deramaxx (deracoxib) or Piroxicam (feldene) control pain, fever, and inflammation.

Washout Periods

If a dog has been using aspirin or another NSAID for more than a few doses, then don’t give another NSAID without a washout period of 1-2 weeks. Thus, if your dog has been taking aspirin for a month, wait 7-14 days before starting another NSAID, such as Metacam, Rimadyl, Deramaxx or Etogesic.

 If your dog has only been receiving Tylenol, a washout period is not necessary before it is given an NSAID.

Better than Tylenol, the Multimodal Approach

Combining several different drugs, along with supplements, laser therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care provides greater possibility of significant pain relief than does administration of Tylenol.

For significant pain relief, consider

• Tramadol 25-50 mg/kg two or three times a day
• Tylenol 10-15 mg tw0 or three times a day
• Gabapentin 50-100 mg/day
• Omega 3 fatty acids, 500-1000 mg a day
• Adequan or Ichon injections (4.4 mg/kg bi-weekly for 3 weeks, then every 2-4 weeks as needed
• Raw or homecooked meals high in antioxidants
• Turmeric and boswellia
• Acupuncture
• Laser therapy
• Chiropractic care

Regardless of what is causing pain in your dog, a multimodal approach is more effective and safer than simply giving Tylenol.

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