6 Best Dog Pain Relief Aids of 2020 (Dog Pain Reliever Buying Guide)

As dogs grow older, their chances of developing degenerative joint diseases also increase. Instead of walking easily, they’re more likely to hobble stiffly due to painful hips and joints.

Whether your pooch is young or old, a good dog pain relief aid will offer some comfort when dogs are hurting and allow them to move more freely and pain-free.

Muscle and joint pains could be brought about by normal daily physical activity, rigorous training, genetics, old age, injury, or degenerative joint disorders.

Most pet owners will have to help a dog through a bout of aches and pains at some point in their life.

Pain problems in dogs and pain relief aids for any condition are serious matters that you must discuss with a vet.

Depending on the condition, without immediate treatment, the dog could die from incorrect meds, or they may experience complications from being given too much or wrong over-the-counter dog pain relievers.

Further in this article, we’ll talk more about the dog pain medication, over-the-counter dog pain relievers and take a closer look at these six best dog pain relief aids we review.

Using Pain Relievers for Dogs with Various Conditions

There are tons of illnesses dogs may develop that will make you think about giving a pain relief medication for dogs.

These diseases are commonly arthritis and other joint-related problems that prevent the dog from walking, sitting, lying, and even sleeping.

You cannot give most human pain relief medication to dogs in most cases.

Even though some pet owners believe that it is perfectly safe to give their dog a pain reliever made for humans, in the words of Jennifer Coates, DVM for PetMD article:

It is not safe to give your dog any amount of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen, or other anti-inflammatory meant for humans.

Here’s why you cannot give human NSAIDs to dogs:

Many common over-the-counter pain relievers formulated for humans are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

Examples of some of the most common NSAIDs for people include:

• aspirin (Excedrin, Bayer, etc…)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc…)
• naproxen (Aleve)
• baby aspirin

These products work by impeding an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. It is the enzyme responsible for the production of prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins promote fever, inflammation, and pain.

Sounds good, right? Not always.

Prostaglandins also do many other things to the canine body. They are responsible for maintaining proper blood flow to the kidneys, normal blood clotting, and producing a layer of mucus to save the inner lining of the GI tract from stomach acid.

As explained in the article on why you shouldn’t give Mobic to dogs, when the above things don’t happen, your dog could begin to vomit, have bloody diarrhea, develop intestinal problems, lose his appetite, develop bleeding disorders and suffer liver or kidney dysfunction or failure.

So avoid giving human medicine to your dog at all times.

Note that even though formulated for dogs, it’s important that you remember to talk with your veterinarian before giving one of the best dog pain relief solutions as well.

Any signs of pain need to be checked out by a certified vet. You never know when a limp could be a sign of something more serious, such as a back injury or nerve disorder.

The Best Dog Pain Relief Aids

1Nutri-Vet K-9 Aspirin

by Nutri-Vet

Nutri-Vet Wellness, a USA-made line of pet products, has developed a dog supplement to help relieve pain in arthritic dogs and improve their quality of life.

Nutri-Vet K-9 Aspirin is specially formulated to provide temporary relief from debilitating pain. A bottle contains 75 chewable liver-flavored tablets, each containing 300 mg of aspirin.

Dog owners are happy to note that their pups are bouncier with Nutri-Vet K-9 Asprin than with their previous NSAID prescription for arthritis.

After only a few weeks on this bone and joint supplement, their dogs could walk up and down flights of stairs they had been avoiding before.

When told to get up for a walk, pet owners say their pooches react with excited yelps instead of resigned groans.

Dogs think that these liver-flavored tablets are a treat, so giving these to them is almost effortless. Some pet owners have previously bought aspirin for the human-type preparation, which their vets have prescribed.

Making a comparison, they say that, unlike the human-type aspirin, Nutri-Vet does not cause stomach upset.

PROS:

• Made in the USA
• Liver-flavored tablets to increase palatability
• Each tablet contains 300 mg of aspirin

CONS:

• The chemical smell when opening the bottle

 

2Dog Pain Away (DPA) Dog Pain Reliever

by Dog Pain Away

Dog Pain Away, or DPA, relieves your pet’s pains by enhancing health in the joints, cartilage, and connective tissues.

It contains natural ingredients, marine extracts, herbs, and natural type II collagen (UC-II) (which reduces inflammation and rebuilds cartilages in joints).

This supplement also strengthens the dog’s immune system and is highly recommended for dogs with decreased mobility and flexibility.

Ingredients are sourced from New Zealand and manufactured into the final product in a certified GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility in the USA.

Pets that have been given prescription drugs for their hip and joint pains have also been enduring the accompanying side effects.

They already noticed a great improvement in as short as only 3 days of giving Dog Pain Away (DPA) Dog Pain Reliever.

Not only were their dogs not limping or in pain anymore, but they were also actually more physically agile and playful.

Dogs that suffered from itchy skin and inflammatory issues concurrent to their joint pains also enjoyed an additional benefit; their skin cleared up within days of using DPA.

Best of all, dog owners are confident of the natural content of this pain remedy. They have peace of mind knowing that their dogs’ kidneys or liver suffer no side effects from taking this best dog pain relief solution.

PROS:

• Made with natural ingredients
• Made in the USA
• This recommended dog pain relief also strengthens the immune system
• Positive change in their pet’s mobility in as little as 3 days

CONS:

• Concerns about the ingredient Boswellia that is found in this product

 

3Vet’s Best Aspirin-Free Aches & Pains Dog Aid

by Vet’s Best

Vet’s Best tablets are probably your best bet if you want to do away with aspirin to treat your dog’s pains and aches.

It’s made from glucosamine HCL, MSM, and natural ingredients like white willow bark, bromelain, and yucca.

Willow is the main source of an anti-inflammatory agent called salicin. Bromelain relieves muscle and joint pains.

Yucca eases arthritic pain and boosts the immune system. This great product is made in the USA and prepared in easy-to-chew tablets.

Dog owners attest to how effective, and indispensable Vet’s Best Aspirin-Free Aches & Pains Dog Supplements have been to their dogs suffering from painful terminal conditions.

According to them, this supplement has proven to be a very potent painkiller. In conjunction with their dog’s medicines, it has definitely improved the quality of their pet’s remaining days.

Healthy dogs, on the other hand, also got to benefit from the Vet’s Best. They do get muscle stiffness at some point, and getting up becomes an issue.

Sometimes, too, they’d play too rough and start limping the next day. After giving this pill for a day or two, their dogs quickly recovered, picked up their appetite, and started moving about again.

This comes cheap, too, compared to other pain relief medications, so it’s a must-try.

PROS:

• Natural ingredients
• No aspirin
• Made in the USA
• Formulated for all sizes and breeds

CONS:

• Only suitable for dogs over 10 months old

 

4Dog Aspirin Pain Relief for Larger Breed Dogs

by Essential Pet Products

This top-rated dog pain relief aid contains 300 mg of aspirin in each tablet. It eases pain due to inflammation and is recommended for arthritic pains.

The tablet is enteric coated, which lessens side effects like stomach upset.

This product was specially made for dogs weighing at least 15 lb and must not be used for other pets or dogs weighing less than the specified weight.

One pill a day seems to work just fine for dogs suffering from minor pain from arthritis, muscle stiffness, and other pains due to inflammation.

Bigger dogs or those with worse conditions, such as hip dysplasia and severe degenerative joint disorders, required two pills a day.

This aspirin for dogs was the perfect choice for dog owners who didn’t want to give their dogs the usual anti-inflammatory drug but didn’t want to experiment with natural remedies.

The pills are small, which makes them easier to swallow. Dogs tolerate them well because they are enteric-coated.

This seemed to be the help that most senior dogs had been waiting for, especially those that had been living in agonizing pain.

With the Excel aspirin, they get to sleep and take their much-needed rest. Some dog owners say that their dog became a lot younger and had more spunk with this aspirin.

PROS:

• Each tablet contains 300 mg of aspirin
• Enteric-coated tablets are gentle on a pet’s stomach
• Specifically formulated to help dogs with arthritis and joint problems

CONS:

• You cannot use it in dogs weighing less than 15 pounds
• Did not work for dogs with pain and inflammation that wasn’t associated with arthritis

 

5Pet Relief Pain Relief Medicine for Dogs

by Pet Relief

So far, the remedies we’ve featured in this list of the best dog pain relief solutions are in tablet form. Here’s a pet relief solution prepared in liquid form and applied by spraying on the affected area.

This medicine from Pet Relief is made in the USA from natural ingredients like wintergreen and therapeutic-grade essential oils.

It is highly recommended for wounds, general pains, and aches and as part of pain management during post-surgical recovery.

Not all dogs take oral medicines easily or tolerate them well, so this best dog pain relief solution could be the best option for them.

Dog owners who have always gone for natural solutions and protected their dogs from the adverse effects of drugs were eager to try Pet Relief Pain Relief Medicine for Dogs.

It’s not only 100% natural, but it’s also a lot simpler for them to administer to their dog. There were no pill pockets to use or peanut butter treats to hide medicines in.

The issues on stomach upset and ill effects on the kidney and liver have also become moot and academic with this nifty medicinal spray.

They’ve tried this on dogs that have been slowed down by age and arthritis, on superficial wounds, on areas damaged by Lyme disease, on a hip after surgery, and other forms of pain and discomfort.

Just a few whiffs from this sprayer to the painful area, and voila, the dogs usually start tail-wagging as a signal that life could still go on.

And truly soon enough, they’re up and about and inspecting their surroundings.

PROS:

• In liquid form to be sprayed directly onto the affected area
• Made in the USA
• Made with therapeutic-grade essential oils
• 100% natural

CONS:

• It Will does not work for every dog’s pain
• Messy spray

 

6Amazing Turmeric Chews for Dogs with Pain

by Amazing Nutritionals

This Amazing Nutritionals product is made from turmeric root processed into bacon-and-beef flavored bite-sized chews. Turmeric curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory medicine and a potent antioxidant.

This medicinal chew also contains chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, Omega 3 fish oil, probiotics, and vitamins to help restore damaged joints, cartilage, and connective tissues.

This best dog pain relief solution is made in a GMP-certified facility in the USA.

More and more people use turmeric for its curcumin content, which has powerful healing properties.

They have also used this for their pets and observed the same therapeutic benefits. It has been particularly helpful in eliminating the pain caused by arthritic inflammation, stiffness, and lethargy in geriatric dogs.

Amazing Nutritionals Turmeric Chews made it possible for dogs to sleep without the pain, naturally, recover, and regain their old self again.

An added advantage of this chew is its antioxidant property. After the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin takes place and eliminates pain and its cause, the antioxidant property takes over.

It hastens recovery, promotes overall wellness, and keeps the dog on track again. The effect is quick – significant improvements have been noted in as short as one week.

PROS:

• Made with turmeric curcumin, natural anti-inflammatory medicine, and potent antioxidant
• Enticing bacon-and-beef flavor
• Also contains chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, Omega 3 fish oil, probiotics, and vitamins.
• Made in the USA

CONS:

• This product did not work for every dog that tried it
• Some complaints that this top-rated dog pain relief has made a few pets sick

Common Questions about Pain Relief for Dogs

If you still have questions about pain relief for dogs after reading all of the above, this FAQ should help.

Get concise answers from pain meds that may already be in your medicine cabinet to those specifically for your dog for pain.

What Pain Relief Can I Give My Dog?

If you aren’t sure what to give your dog for pain, try starting with natural pain relief. Examples include hot or cold packs, natural dog supplements, and massages.

In chronic pain, you may also want to try hydrotherapy, acupuncture, or other alternative therapies.

Can I Give My Dog Human Painkillers?

Even if your dog is in severe pain, don’t give him human painkillers. The only potential exception will be if your vet suggests doing so.

However, this is unlikely. It would also involve a minimal dose. Remember that human painkillers can cause a potentially fatal reaction in animals.

Can Dogs Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen?

NO! Never give your dog ibuprofen or Tylenol, nor another form of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If your dog needs pain medicine, your vet will prescribe pain relief for dogs. Human medications can be hazardous for dogs.

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