You can give a dog pain relief medications, but only those specifically prescribed or approved by a veterinarian, as many human pain medications are toxic to dogs. Safe options for dog pain management include:

• Veterinary-approved NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): These are commonly prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation, especially for conditions like arthritis or post-surgery pain. Examples include carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), firocoxib (Previcox), meloxicam (Metacam), and galliprant. These drugs work by blocking inflammation pathways but must be used under veterinary supervision due to possible side effects on the stomach, kidneys, and liver

• Opioids: For severe pain such as after surgery or cancer pain, veterinarians may prescribe opioids like buprenorphine, butorphanol, tramadol, fentanyl, or morphine. These are strong painkillers and require careful dosing and monitoring due to side effects like sedation, nausea, constipation, and respiratory depression

• Gabapentin: Often used for nerve pain or chronic pain conditions, gabapentin can help reduce discomfort and improve mobility. It may cause drowsiness initially and is prescribed by vets for specific conditions

• Corticosteroids: Drugs like prednisone may be used to reduce inflammation and associated pain, especially in autoimmune or allergic conditions, but they have significant side effects and must be used cautiously under veterinary guidance

• Monoclonal antibody therapy (Librela): A newer FDA-approved monthly injection that targets nerve growth factor to relieve osteoarthritis pain with fewer side effects than NSAIDs

Important: Never give your dog human pain medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve) without veterinary approval, as these can be toxic or even fatal to dogs. Aspirin may be used only under strict veterinary supervision

. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog to ensure safety, proper dosing, and appropriate treatment for your dog’s specific pain condition.