You should not give your dog any NSAID without your veterinarian determining the specific drug and dose. Every FDA-approved NSAID for dogs is prescription-only, and the dosing varies dramatically depending on which medication is used, your dog’s weight, and their kidney and liver health. What’s safe for humans can be toxic or fatal for dogs, even in small amounts.
Why You Can’t Just Pick a Dose
Unlike human pain relievers with standard over-the-counter instructions, canine NSAIDs span a wide dosing range depending on the specific drug. Meloxicam, for example, is dosed at 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight once daily. Firocoxib is dosed at 5 mg per kilogram once daily. That’s a 50-fold difference between two common veterinary pain relievers. Giving the wrong amount of the wrong drug could mean your dog gets no relief or ends up in the emergency room.
Your vet also needs to check your dog’s bloodwork before starting any NSAID. Dogs with existing kidney disease, liver problems, or dehydration face a much higher risk of serious complications. Age, breed, and other medications all factor into which NSAID is chosen and at what dose.
FDA-Approved NSAIDs for Dogs
Six NSAIDs currently have FDA approval for use in dogs. All require a prescription:
- Carprofen (Rimadyl and generics): one of the most widely prescribed, typically used for osteoarthritis and post-surgical pain
- Meloxicam (Metacam and generics): available as oral liquid and injection
- Deracoxib (Deramaxx): approved for both chronic arthritis pain and short-term post-surgical use
- Firocoxib (Previcox): once-daily dosing for osteoarthritis and surgical pain
- Grapiprant (Galliprant): a newer class of pain reliever that works differently from traditional NSAIDs
- Robenacoxib (Onsior): approved for a maximum of 3 days only
These medications were specifically developed and tested for dogs. They target inflammation while being formulated for canine metabolism, which processes drugs very differently than human metabolism does.
Human NSAIDs Are Dangerous for Dogs
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) are among the most common causes of NSAID poisoning in dogs. The toxic thresholds are alarmingly low. Ibuprofen causes gastrointestinal damage at doses above 25 mg/kg, kidney injury above 100 mg/kg, and nervous system damage above 400 mg/kg. A single 200 mg ibuprofen tablet could cause GI problems in a dog weighing under 18 pounds.
Naproxen is even more dangerous. It causes GI toxicity at just 5 mg/kg and kidney damage at 25 mg/kg. One standard 220 mg Aleve tablet can poison a 40-pound dog.
Aspirin is sometimes prescribed by veterinarians for dogs, but it is not FDA-approved for veterinary use and carries more side effects than modern alternatives like carprofen. If your vet does recommend aspirin, they will specify buffered (not enteric-coated) aspirin, since dogs often can’t properly digest the enteric coating designed for human stomachs.
How Grapiprant Differs From Older Options
Grapiprant (Galliprant) works through a fundamentally different mechanism than traditional NSAIDs. Instead of broadly blocking the enzymes that produce inflammatory compounds, it selectively blocks one specific receptor involved in pain and inflammation. This means it doesn’t interfere with the protective functions those compounds serve in the gut, kidneys, and liver.
In safety studies, dogs given 25 times the normal dose of grapiprant daily for 9 months remained clinically normal, with no changes in appetite or behavior. At the standard dose of 2 mg/kg once daily, side effects like vomiting and diarrhea occurred at roughly the same rate as in dogs receiving a placebo. This makes it a particularly useful option for dogs that need long-term pain management or those with pre-existing conditions that make traditional NSAIDs riskier.
Side Effects to Watch For
Vomiting is the most common side effect of NSAIDs in dogs. More concerning is gastrointestinal ulceration, which is the most common life-threatening complication. Bleeding from these ulcers can be subtle, gradually causing anemia, or it can be obvious, showing up as blood in vomit or dark, tarry stools.
Kidney and liver problems are rarer but do occur, especially in dogs that are older, dehydrated, or on other medications. Signs to watch for include changes in drinking or urination habits, loss of appetite, yellowing of the gums or eyes, and unusual lethargy. If your dog shows any of these while taking an NSAID, stop the medication and contact your vet.
Never Combine NSAIDs or Mix With Steroids
Only one NSAID should be given at a time. Combining two NSAIDs, or giving an NSAID alongside a corticosteroid like prednisone, dramatically increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and perforation. The FDA specifically warns against both practices.
If your vet decides to switch your dog from one NSAID to another, a “washout period” is required. This is a gap of several days where your dog receives no NSAID at all, allowing the first drug to fully clear from the body before the new one starts. The same applies when transitioning between a steroid and an NSAID. Never overlap these medications on your own, even if your dog seems to be in pain during the gap.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate an NSAID
If your dog swallowed human ibuprofen, naproxen, or an overdose of a veterinary NSAID, act quickly. Time matters. Inducing vomiting early (when recommended by a vet or poison control) is associated with fewer complications during treatment. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. Have the medication bottle handy so you can report exactly what was ingested, how much, and when.
At the hospital, treatment typically involves decontamination (inducing vomiting if it hasn’t been too long, sometimes followed by activated charcoal), medications to protect the stomach lining, and IV fluids to support the kidneys. In severe cases, more advanced treatments may be needed. The prognosis depends heavily on how much was ingested, how quickly treatment begins, and whether kidney injury develops.