Buffered aspirin is considered to be safe in dogs, with a dosage of 10 mg per pound your dog weighs, given every 12 hours. It HAS to be regular buffered aspirin, not ibuprofen (Advil), OR Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can actually be dangerous for your dog. You don’t want the enteric coated, as dogs have a difficult time digesting the coating. To find a buffered dog aspirin, look for brand names such as Bayer and Bufferin. Read the label and ensure there are no additives such as caffeine or codeine. You can find dog aspirin at pet stores as well, that are basically liver flavored buffered aspirin.
The dosage of buffered aspirin given to dogs, can be adjusted depending on pain level. The range is somewhere between 5-15 mg per pound your dog weighs, given every 12 hours. As with any drug, giving your dog aspirin has inherent risks. You need to be careful with dosaging, as too high of a dose of dog aspirin, can cause renal failure. As with people, it can cause gastrointestinal upsets, and ulcers in long term use. If your going to start giving your dog aspirin, a recent blood test is a good idea, since aspirin should never be given to a dog with kidney issues, or certain medical conditions, such as von Willebrand’s Disease.
In conclusion, the most common use for dog aspirin is arthritis and joint pain. It’s advantage is that it’s cheap, readily available, and can relieve discomfort from arthristis pain. It not necessarily something you would want to give long term, as chronic use can cause kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal problems. Before administering any drug, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian first.
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