Natural Pain Relief for Dogs

By :Barbara Rivers 0 comments

Upon seeing your pup hurting, your likely reaction is wincing or cringing. Meanwhile, you're intently thinking, "What can I give my dog for pain?" The answer to this question hinges on several factors. The top three are the source of discomfort, its severity, and your dog's age.

Mercifully, you can choose from a broad range of treatments. This blog presents nine effective ones. You'll learn about both conventional and natural pain remedies for dogs. With a vet's help, you can devise the best care plan for your cutie's well-being. Here's how to resolve the dilemma of "What to give a dog in pain?"

Reading Your Pup's Pain Signals

Depending on a dog's personality, it may be hard to tell if they're suffering. Some pets have a knack for ignoring the discomfort, especially easy going dogs. Other pups instinctively hide their pain. Through evolution, canines have learned that showing pain makes them subject to attack by wild animals.

"So, how do I know if my dog is in pain?" you ask. Below are physical and behavioural clues.

Physical Changes

1. Distressed Stance

Assess your dog's standing posture. Is their back hunched or arched? Is their tail pointing down or tucked beneath them? If so, such body language means, "I feel terrible."

Shaking may also signify pain.

2. Swollen Body Parts

While examining your dog, check for any puffy areas. Swelling warns of tissue inflammation or infection. Is there swelling around your dog's eye or above their nose? If so, a tooth abscess may be brewing.

Swelling over a bone can hint of a fracture, especially if the limb assumes an odd angle. Still, to know for sure, a vet will want to take an x-ray.

3. Impaired Mobility

Limping can flag a paw injury, such as from a foreign object. While outdoors, dogs can pick up splinters, ticks, and ice balls during winter. Or, their paws may get callused or cracked, hurt by walking on hot or frigid pavement.

Often, joint pain hinders mobility. Some breeds inherit "joint dysplasia." With this condition, the bones comprising the joint don't align. Over time, the resultant bone friction inflames the joints, causing arthritis.

Your dog may have a joint problem if they hesitate to jump, use stairs, or run. Another clue is moving slower, particularly in senior dogs. Or, a pup may not bear weight on the affected leg. A normally active dog may avoid pain by resting or sleeping more.

4. Eye Signs

Squinting and dilated pupils can reflect pain elsewhere in your dog's body. Symptoms of an eye injury are discharge, redness, and clouding. Or, your pup may rub their eyes with their paws.

Behavioural Changes

1. Paw Biting, Licking, or Chewing

When a pup doctors their paws this way, the activity comforts them. It also channels their frustration.

Common triggers are fleabites and dry skin. In some breeds, a hormone imbalance may be at fault. Allergic reactions can result from contact with irritating chemicals. Typical offenders are weed killers, ice melt, carpet cleaners, and harsh dog shampoos.

For tips on keeping your dog from self-treating its paws, see this article.

2. Aggression

Even if your pup is inherently sweet, agonising pain can make them lash out. By this, they're saying, "I'm hurting and scared. Don't touch me!"

So, when approaching your pup, they might lunge at you. If your dog growls bare its teeth or flattens its ears, step back. These signs of aggression can precede biting.

What if you can't get near your dog to help them? In that case, apply a muzzle with the aid of another adult. Then, bring your pup to an animal hospital.

3. Eating Oddities

Often, a sudden disinterest in food reflects discomfort. If your dog's pain is mouth-related, while trying to eat, they may drop their food. Or, they may drool profusely.

Seeking Veterinary Care

Let's say you know for sure your dog is hurting. Your next thought is likely, "How can I ease my dog's pain?" Or, "What can I give my dog for pain without going to the vet?"

Consider a dog pain relief home remedy for a minor injury. An example is a thorn lodged in your dog's paw. In that case:

Remove the thorn with sterilised tweezers.
If the paw is bleeding, stop the flow with a paste of baking soda and water.
Give your dog a reassuring hug, smooch, and calming words.

However, for a severe incident or medical condition, promptly see a vet. For instance, get urgent treatment for a burn, laceration, or puncture wound. If you delay professional care, your dog's life could be in jeopardy.

Also, consult a vet if you can't identify the cause of pain. Without a firm diagnosis, home treatment can be futile. In that case, your dog's condition will worsen.

Natural Pain Remedies for Dogs

Once the vet discovers the problem, you can discuss treatment. At that point, ask about using a holistic remedy or natural painkiller for dogs.

With the doctor's consent, consider our products. We've formulated each one in consultation with expert vets and veterinary nutritionists. Below are six remedies popular with pet owners.

1. All Natural Happy Joint

All Natural Happy Joint Care for Dogs Cats The Healthy Dog Co

This powdered joint supplements for dogs supports your pup's joint cartilage, the tissue that cushions adjoining bones. The cartilage minimises bone friction and prevents joint inflammation.

The joint care for dogs includes ingredients in this formula to ease aching and stiffness. They also speed recovery from joint injuries.

Ingredients:

New Zealand green-lipped mussel - reduces swelling, joint aches, and muscle soreness.
Ginger - soothes joint irritation, combats pain, boosts circulation, and improves mobility.
Turmeric - relieves joint swelling, stiffness, and aching.
Cayenne - optimises turmeric absorption.
Celery - support bones and muscles while reducing inflammation.
Flaxseed - supplies healthy fats, fostering bone strength and joint flexibility.

We've refined the taste and scent of Happy Joint, making it very enticing to pets. Customers report "amazing results" from this formula.

2. All Natural Joint Genie

All Natural Joint Care For Dogs And Cats By The Healthy Dog Co Available On Amazon Prime

This liquid supplement has two advantages. With the included pipette, you can dispense it easily. Secondly, your dog will digest it quickly, speeding pain relief.

Ingredients:

Liquorice - anti-inflammatory, enhancing the effectiveness of other herbs.
Devil's Claw - reduces joint inflammation, muscle spasms, and post-op pain.
Turmeric - relieves joint stiffness, aching, and swelling.
Cayenne - heightens turmeric absorption.
Ginger - suppresses inflammation, expedites blood flow, and aids mobility.
Rosehip - alleviates pain and stiffness.
Sage - eases severe, nagging pain.

Many customers say Joint Genie has markedly relieved their dog's arthritis. Some pets have even resumed playing.

3. All Natural Itchy Skin and Wound Care

Itchy Skin & Wound Care For Dogs & Cats By The Healthy Dog Co Available on Amazon Prime

In dogs with cuts, sores, and other wounds, this spray moisturises and numbs the painful areas. our anti itch spray for dogs helps dogs heal from insect bites, such as those by fleas, ticks, and mites.

This formula also comforts dry, itchy skin. Meanwhile, antimicrobial agents kill infectious germs.

Ingredients in our Minor Wound - Anti Itch Spray for Dogs:

Patchouli - calms inflamed skin and spurs new skin growth.
Quassia - has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
Clove Gel - numbs painful, irritated skin while reducing swelling.
Vegetable Glycerin - heals inflamed skin and wards off infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar - eradicates germs.

Customers tell us that after using this spray, their pets stop scratching, sleeping better.

4. All Natural Paw, Nose and Skin Balm

Natural Skin Care, Nose Cream, Paw Balm For Dogs And Cats By The Healthy Dog Co

The nourishing oils in this ointment seal the fissures in cracked skin. The paw balm has natural waxes shield your pup's feet from hot pavement, ice, and de-icing salts. All the creamy components are entirely safe, being food-grade. They also penetrate deeply.

Ingredients in Our Paw Balm:

Beeswax and Carnauba Wax - create a protective skin barrier.
Vitamin E - repairs and strengthens damaged skin.
Shea Butter and Lanolin - quench thirsty skin and foster moisture retention.
Castor Seed Oil - kills bacteria and soothes irritated skin.

Customers praise the softening effects of this healing salve.

5. All Natural Flea Fighter

Natural Flea Repellent By The Healthy Dog Co Available On Amazon Prime

Spare your dog of chemical hazards with this safe, topical repellent. Apply the liquid once weekly to your pup's neck, protecting them from fleas, lice, ticks, and mites.

Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar - bugs detest its taste and smell!
Quassia Bark Extract - deters the biters.
Natural Oils - carriers for these ingredients.

Pet owners applaud Flea Fighter for ridding their pets of fleas.

6. All Natural Flea Shampoo

All Natural Flea Shampoo The Healthy Dog Co

Chemical pesticides can spark diarrhoea, vomiting, and skin irritation in your dog. Conversely, this natural product is completely safe.

Bathing your cutie in this shampoo offers four benefits. Foremost, this cleanser both kills and repels fleas, mites, lice, and ticks. Secondly, it calms the nagging pain and itch of bug bites.

Meanwhile, lemongrass makes your dog smell delightful! Coconut oil imparts a glossy sheen to your dog's coat, leaving it soft and conditioned.

Ingredients:

Lemongrass Oil Extract - kills external parasites.
Quassia Bark Extract - repels new infestations.
Coconut Oil - soothes inflamed skin, kills and repels parasites, and prevents infections.

Customers rave about this shampoo. Along with destroying biting insects, it makes pet fur soft, fragrant, and shiny.

Risks of Human-Grade Painkillers

Never give your dog pain medicine that works for you! Pets can have severe allergic reactions to human-grade analgesics. Additionally, pets have trouble metabolising such drugs. Consequently, the compounds build to toxic levels.

The most commonly used painkillers are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you give a human-grade NSAID to your dog, they may suffer diarrhoea, vomiting, or lethargy. Also possible are kidney failure, ulcers, liver failure, or even death.

Note that human-grade ibuprofen is fatal for dogs. Potentially toxic are human-grade paracetamol, aspirin, and naproxen.

So, what can you give a dog for pain that's proven safe? Ideally, a natural painkiller for dogs is preferable. Still, a vet may advise specially-compounded pet medication in certain cases. Examples are a serious injury, agonising ailment, and after surgery.

Should your dog need heavy-duty pain relief, we want to familiarise you with vet-grade analgesics. This way, you'll understand their uses and potential side effects.

Common Pet Painkillers

When ordered by a vet, canine painkillers are less risky than human-grade formulas. That's because they're made precisely for dogs and thoroughly tested on them.

Before a vet gives your dog an approved painkiller, the doctor will take a complete medical history. By this, the vet will choose a suitable drug and dose for your pup. Below are three vet-grade analgesics often prescribed for dogs.

1. NSAIDs

Vets give these drugs to control pain and inflammation. As such, they reduce swelling, stiffness, and symptoms of arthritis. When prescribed after pet surgery, they help dogs cope with acute pain, expediting their recovery.

NSAIDs thwart enzymes that evoke pain. Drugs specifically made for dogs include carprofen, deracoxib, firocoxib, and meloxicam.

Typically, their possible side effects are mild. Still, discontinue use if your dog shows behavioural changes, poor appetite, irritated skin, diarrhoea, vomiting, or black stools. Then, notify your vet that you've stopped the NSAID.

Often, you can prevent adverse reactions from NSAIDs with short-term use.

2. Opioids

This class of drugs, derived from morphine, treats severe and chronic pain. Vets use opioids to dull the pain of cancer, arthritis, and postoperative incisions. Usually, vets prescribe opioids for short periods.

One mild opioid is Tramadol. Alternatively, vets may give either codeine, buprenorphine, or fentanyl. Opioids block pain perception. They also slow breathing and induce calmness.

Possible adverse effects include nausea, drowsiness, poor appetite, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and tremors.

3. Gabapentin

This drug hinders nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Gabapentin relieves the sharp pain of cancer, damaged nerves, and crippling arthritis. Side effects can be severe. Even so, don't stop giving gabapentin without your vet's guidance. You must taper the dose! Otherwise, your dog can have seizures or other dire complications.

Gabapentin side effects include bulging eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, sedation, and loss of coordination. If your dog has any of these reactions, call your vet immediately.

NOTE - If your vet orders a painkiller, request a copy of the treatment plan and dosing instructions. Also, ask for the best way to give medicine to your dog.

Wag-Worthy Remedies

So, let's revisit your most pressing question, "What can I give my dog for pain relief at home?" Natural options are the ingredients in our products, listed above. Still, to give these remedies separately, you must carefully measure the proper amount. If you'd like to use several at once, you must determine whether they're compatible.

With our products, we've done the legwork for you. We've thoroughly researched safe doses and ingredient combinations. Thus, you can use each product confidently, such as:

To recap, natural remedies are great if your dog has mild to moderate pain. Yet, surgeries and severe injuries may require veterinary-grade analgesics.

If a vet prescribes pain medicine for your pup, ask if you can use it short-term. Then, watch for any side effects, telling the doctor at their onset. Once your dog is recovering well, ask the vet if you can swap the drug for a natural remedy.

Blessed is the pup with you as their caretaker!

About The Healthy Dog Co

The Healthy Dog Co’s mission is to create products that dog and cat owners can trust with the health of their pets by only producing products with healthy, safe, all natural ingredients.

At The Healthy Dog Co, it’s all about giving your pet a healthy and happy life with All Natural Health, Happiness and Care Products.

Because Your Pet Deserves Better!

Shop our range of All Natural Healthcare Products for your Dog or Cat today!

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