If your Pug isn’t feeling well, you’ve probably wondered, “can I give my Pug baby aspirin.” That’s what I used to wonder when I noticed Mindy my black Pug was experiencing joint pain as she got older. Before I gave it to her, I did some research and this is what I found.
Can I Give My Pug Baby Aspirin?
The short answer is yes, you can give your dog buffered aspirin or even baby aspirin, as long as your pooch isn’t pregnant or a puppy. Make sure to administer the proper dosage for your Pug, and do not give it to them daily.
You NEVER want to give your dog adult aspirin. It’s only safe to give them the proper dosage of the baby kind. Read this article to find out how much Benadryl to give a Pug.
The dosage will vary depending on the size of your Pug and other factors, which we will discuss later.
If your Pug is hurting, you may want to contact your veterinarian. They will be able to recommend the proper medication based on your Pug’s health history.
Now, let’s take a look at what aspirin is.
What Is Aspirin?
It is an NSAID also known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, that has been used to help reduce fevers and relieve moderate muscle pain, toothaches, headaches, and common colds.
Due to it being an anti-inflammatory, many people also use it to help with short term pain from major injuries or pain from a major surgery.
Aspirin is pretty much the same as ibuprofen, carprofen, and naproxen. You can check out the long list of NSAID’s. (source)
Baby Aspirin vs Aspirin: Is There A Difference?
The only difference between Aspirin and Baby Aspirin is the strength of the drug. Baby Aspirin contains a lower dosage of the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid, which is found in the adult aspirin.
One baby aspirin pill contains 81mg of the active ingredient, while one adult pill contains 325 mg of acetylsalicylic.
Baby aspirin is good for small and medium-sized dogs.
Side Effects of Aspirin For Dogs
As I mentioned above, it is safe to give your pooch aspirin according to their weight. Some veterinarians will even prescribe aspirin for dogs with musculoskeletal inflammation, and osteoarthritis or other conditions.
It’s important to know that your four-legged friend can also have adverse reactions if administered incorrectly or too often. You should be aware of the side effects and symptoms of an overdose before giving your Pug baby aspirin.
If you notice any of the symptoms below, stop giving your dog aspirin and call your vet immediately.
Side effects from aspirin:
- Loss of appetite
- Gastric ulcers (due to prolonged use)
- Black tarry stool
Signs of overdosage from aspirin:
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhage
- Coma
- Vomiting
- Death
Whenever you give your Pug any type of medication, make sure that you monitor their behavior closely for the next 24-48 hours afterward. Pay close attention to any changes in appetite, bowel movements, personality, activity level, and urination.
If you notice any unusual changes in their behavior, you will want to contact your veterinarian.
Can Cause Reactions From Other Medications
If your pooch is already taking any type of medications, you will want to check with your veterinarian before giving them baby aspirin. Some medications can cause a reaction if taken with baby aspirin.
Some of the medications that can cause an adverse reaction are:
- Other NSAID’s
- Digoxin
- Captopril
- Enalapril
- Propranolol
- Spironolactone
These are just a few of the medications on the list that may react with aspirin. Here’s the full list of the medications you should know about.
How Often Can I Give My Dog Baby Aspirin?
Whenever I gave Mindy baby aspirin, I always gave it to her on the low dosage side. I was scared to give her aspirin, even though we did it a few times. Thank goodness she never experienced any side effects from the baby aspirin.
If you do give your Pug baby aspirin for injuries or pain, make sure that you do it short-term and palliative care. Never give it to your dog for more than a week.
Giving your dog too much aspirin for prolonged use can irritate your pooches stomach and intestinal lining which can lead to inflammation and ulcers.
Start with small dosages and see if that helps relieve Fido’s discomfort. One important thing to remember is that aspirin should never be used if your four-legged friend has osteoarthritis or arthritis.
Do Veterinarians Prescribe Aspirin?
Most veterinarians, with the exception of holistic veterinarians, will usually prescribe some form of aspirin for dogs that are in pain.
In the video above, Greg Martinez, DVM states that you want to use about 5-10mg per pound of the weight of your dog.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it is no longer called baby aspirin anymore, so you need to look for low dose aspirin.
How Much Baby Aspirin Can I Give My Dog Chart
This is an informational chart that should only be used for informational purposes. If you’ve never given Fido baby aspirin before, I highly recommend consulting with your veterinary first. It’s best to consult your vet before giving your dog any type of over the counter medications.
Make sure that you’re giving your Pug the proper dosage, based on your dog’s weight.
Here’s a general guideline to follow that I found online.
| Weight | Amount of Baby Aspirin |
| 5 pounds | 25 mg |
| 10 pounds | 50 mg |
| 20 pounds | 100 mg |
| 30 pounds | 150 mg |
| 40 pounds | 200 mg |
| 50 pounds | 250 mg |
| 60 pounds | 300 mg |
| 70 pounds | 350 mg |
| 80 pounds | 400 mg |
*Remember one baby strength pill contains (81 mg). If you don’t see your Pug’s weight on the chart, you can use this dosage chart.
You will most likely want to use a pill cutter to cut the pills to the appropriate dosage. you can find a pill cutter and dosage calculator at your local pharmacy.
Investing in a pill cutter and calculator will ensure that you give your dog the proper dosage amount. As I mentioned, if you’re unsure on how much to give them, always opt for the lower dosage.
What About Chewable Baby Aspirin?
As long as it is baby strength, you shouldn’t have an issue. Your dog isn’t necessarily going to chew the pill, you just need them to swallow it.
The best way to do this is to wrap the pill in a small piece of cheese. This is how we used to get Mindy to eat something we wanted her to eat like aspirin or supplements.
Alternatives to Using Baby Aspirin
Many dog owners are looking for alternative methods to treat their dog’s ailments. There are several dog owners that swear by pet-safe cannabis-derived treats that have a calming effect without the compound THC.
Many sites such as Canna-Pet and PetHealthCBD maintain the highest quality of testing standards they swear by. The best part is it is easy to administer and completely safe.
These Hemp soft dog chews are also perfect if your Pug has joint pain.
As always before giving your pet any new medication or supplements, you want to contact your veterinarian beforehand. You may also want to check with your state and local laws to ensure that it is legal to give your pets CBD for pets.
I’d recommend looking for a holistic vet in your area. They will be more likely to know about CBD for pets and be able to tell you more about it.
Final Word About Giving Your Pug Aspirin
Every pet owner will have different opinions about giving their dog low dose aspirin. If you don’t feel safe doing it, then look for alternative treatments.
I’m sure there are plenty of alternative treatments to get your Pug some relief. I’ve listed one that many pet owners have started using.
References and Further Reading
PetMD – Aspirin
Assissi Animal Health – Aspirin and Advil for Pain Relief In Dogs