Can I give my dog paracetamol for fever?
Zoe Schiller
2025-08-14 12:52:55
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You should never give your dog paracetamol to treat a fever or any other condition unless instructed by a vet. Paracetamol can be highly toxic to dogs if they are given the wrong amount. There is a form of paracetamol for dogs which your vet may prescribe in some circumstances and you should always follow their instructions and never give more than the prescribed dose. Many human medications are toxic to pets, therefore only give your dog medication that your vet has told you to, making sure you give the correct dosage.
Sandrine Farrell
2025-08-13 10:41:03
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Paracetamol, or as its also known acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used human medications. It is used most commonly to treat mild or moderate pain and fever. However, this decision can only ever legally be made by a veterinary surgeon. You cannot assume the same dose ranges are suitable for your dog as humans or that the drug can be used to treat your pet’s condition. Paracetamol should not be assumed safe; it can cause serious toxicity or be fatal if an overdose is given. So can my dog have paracetamol? Not unless a veterinary surgeon has supplied it for your dog. If your vet has prescribed paracetamol, as with any medication follow the directions carefully to ensure it is used safely. There are some limited circumstances in which a vet may prescribe paracetamol to treat a dog, however these decisions would always be made on a case by case basis considering all of the facts.
Judson Ondricka
2025-07-31 08:18:37
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: 17
You should never attempt to treat your pets with human medication, precautions should be taken to keep household medications out reach of your pet to avoid a potentially harmful or fatal reaction. Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects. There is a veterinary formulation of paracetamol that can be prescribed to your dog, and your Vet may decide to prescribe this under some circumstances. This formula is safe to give to a dog but it is important to make sure that you follow your Vet’s dosage very carefully and report any problems such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, dullness or a painful tummy. Never give human medications to your pet unless specially directed to do so by your Vet.
Yesenia Schuppe
2025-07-31 05:22:10
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: 21
You should never give human paracetamol to a dog without a vet’s advice. If you believe your canine companion is suffering, you should be seeking advice from your veterinarian before giving your dog anything yourself. They have the knowledge and resources to evaluate your pet's condition, assess the degree of pain and its cause, conduct the required examinations, and determine the suitable dosage of any necessary pain relief medication. In certain circumstances a vet might decide to prescribe a human paracetamol formulation. Paracetamol toxicity, for example due to administration of human products to animals by their owners or accidental ingestion can lead to signs ranging from sedation alone to severe signs that include sedation, abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhoea and convulsions and death. Therefore, it's imperative to follow your vet's prescription meticulously. Witnessing our beloved pets in pain can of course be upsetting, but deciding to administer medication on your own could potentially exacerbate the situation. While it's true that under the Veterinary Cascade, human medicines including paracetamol can be prescribed to pets, it should always be done under professional supervision.
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