How to comfort a dog in pain easily
How to comfort a dog in pain: Dogs have the potential to become some of our closest companions in life. When we are sad, scared, or hurt, they stay by our sides. So when your dog is in pain and needs you to do something, it’s easy to feel helpless. Prescriptions from vets are for the strongest painkillers. But you don’t have to take your pet to the vet if you don’t want to. Check out this list of things you can give a dog to treat pain, as well as things you should never give them.
How can I know if my dog has been hurt?
The best way to tell if a dog is in pain is by how it acts. Our dogs are very good at hiding pain, especially long-term pain. But you can look for clues and do some simple tests to start.
When does a dog show signs of pain? Look for these symptoms and signs:
- Arching back Refusal to be touched Too much licking and scratching of one area
- Shaking
- Flattened ears
- Panting/crying
- Aggression
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Low posture/keeping their head below their shoulders
- Not wanting to play or work out
- Insufficiency or excess of sleep
- Hunger loss
If your dog seems to be reacting to a certain spot, give it a quick look and see how it feels when you touch it.
Look for these specific reactions and signs:
- Excessive panting
- Flinching
- Panting
- speeding up of the heart
- Getting red and swollen
- Lip-licking
- Crying or making other sounds
- Head-turning
How to comfort a dog in pain [Method 1]
Dogs can get strong pain relief through a prescription
Your vet will be able to write you a prescription for the strongest painkillers for your dog. You and your vet will decide on the best way to treat your dog, but here are some of the most common painkillers you can give your dog.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, like NSAIDs, help relieve pain by reducing inflammation. You can buy these without a prescription, but it’s important to talk to your vet and get the right one.
- Opioids are used to treat very bad pain. They work by stopping the brain and spinal cord from sending pain signals to the rest of the body.
- CBD supplements usually don’t need a prescription, but they aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you should only give them to your dog if your vet tells you to. These supplements could help dogs with problems in their nervous systems.
How to comfort a dog in pain [Method 2]
What Can I Give My Dog to Make It Feel Better If I Can’t Go to the Vet?
We recommend taking your dog to the vet when he or she is in pain, but we know that isn’t always possible. Try these things at home to help your dog feel better.
- Compresses that are hot or cold are a quick and effective way to treat dogs with arthritis or other joint and muscle pain. Use a cold compress for injuries that hurt right away, like pulled muscles. And use heat therapy for general aches and pains like stiffness, ear infections, toothaches, and muscle injuries.
- Massage the hurt area gently to reduce swelling and pain.
- Provide a quiet, comfortable place to rest. Just like people, dogs need peace and a comfortable place to sleep so that their bodies can heal.
- If your dog is in pain because it is too heavy, you might want to change its diet and give it some light exercise.
How to comfort a dog in pain [Method 3]
Alternative Pain Management For Dogs
Some dogs may have pain that lasts a long time and need more specialized care. Think about looking into some alternative therapies that might help your dog live a better life.
- The musculoskeletal system is realigned by chiropractic care, which makes it easier to move and less painful.
- Physical therapy helps people feel less pain and get stronger and more mobile. Most of the time, these therapies include light exercises.
- Laser therapy speeds up the healing process, makes it easier for wounds to heal, and reduces pain and swelling.
- Therapeutic ultrasounds stretch fibrous tissue, which can help reduce joint pain and increase range of motion.
- Electrical stimulation is a safe procedure that speeds up the healing of hurt muscles.
- Dogs can get better from arthritis and joint pain with the help of acupuncture. This therapy can help with pain from injuries and illnesses for a long time.
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What kind of painkiller should never be given to a dog?
It might be tempting to give your dog human painkillers and supplements, but there are a lot of things you shouldn’t do unless your vet tells you to. Even if a dog could take the same medicine as a person, the dose would be different because dogs and people have different metabolisms.
Never give your dog over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These drugs can lead to serious side effects like stomach bleeding, liver failure, and kidney failure. Before giving your pet any kind of pain medication, including supplements, you should always talk to a vet first.
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