Can I Give My Dog Aleve?

by Kate Barrington

Published: November 18th, 2018

A common anti-inflammatory, Aleve is a popular over-the-counter drug you may use. But can you give your dog Aleve?

If you suffer from frequent headaches, backaches, or muscle aches you probably have a medicine cabinet full of Aleve, also known by the generic name naproxen. Aleve is an over-the-counter pain reliever that works well for humans but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is okay to give it to your dog. Keep reading to learn more about Aleve and whether you can give it to your dog.

What Do You Need to Know About Aleve?

Also known by the generic name naproxen, Aleve is one of the most commonly used pain medications in the world. It belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and it is available over-the-counter in most pharmacies and drug stores. You may also see it sold under names like Naprelan, Anaprox, and Naprosyn. Each of these drugs has the same active ingredients and works in a similar way to relieve pain, reduce fever, remedy stiffness, and mitigate joint pain.

Is It Safe to Give a Dog Aleve?

While the active ingredients in Aleve may technically be safe for dogs in the proper dosage, the risk of side effects and negative reactions is simply too high. Aleve works by reducing the activity of certain hormones in the body that cause inflammation and pain. Inhumans, it is typically used to treat pain associated with arthritis, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches, and colds.

Most veterinarians do not recommend Aleve for dogs partially due to the risk of side effects and partially because there are FDA-approved alternatives that are much safer for dogs. Aleve should only be used as a last resort when other safer options have failed to work. When it comes to the proper dosage, the line between “enough” and “too much” is very thin and easy to cross, so extra caution is warranted even if you have your vet’s approval.

How Much Aleve is Safe to Give Your Dog?

The proper dosage for any medication will vary depending on several factors including your dog’s age, size, sex, and health status. Aleve tablets come in several forms including immediate release tablets (250mg to 500mg), controlled release tablets (750mg to 1,000mg), and delayed release tablets (375mg to 500mg). Most Aleve tablets, however, contain around 220mg of naproxen which is more than enough to poison either a large or small dog. As little as 2mg per pound of your dog’s body weight can cause dangerous side effects and, with higher doses, kidney failure can occur within 24 hours of ingestion.

Because Aleve comes with a high risk for side effects, you should not give it to your dog and you should keep it well out of his reach to prevent accidental ingestion. If your dog accidentally ingests Aleve, take him to the vet immediately. Depending on the circumstances, your vet may induce vomiting or he may treat your dog with activated charcoal to neutralize the toxins. Unfortunately, treatment will be very difficult if you don’t realize your dog has eaten the pill for several hours.

As heartbreaking as it can be to see that your dog is in pain, you need to think twice before giving him any pain medications. Human pain relievers like Aleve have the potential to cause serious (even fatal) side effects so always check with your veterinarian first.

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year after numerous attacks were reported across the United Kingdom. The term "XL Bully" typically refers to a type of  American Bully breed known for its muscular build and larger size compared to standard American Bullies. These dogs are often selectively bred for their size, strength, and temperament, so while they are not inherently aggressive, they have the means to do some damage if they are reared to be dangerous.The ban has owners of bully breeds across the UK scared and confused, so here’s what you need to know about the details of this edict. Starting from December 31st, all XL Bullies will have to be kept on a lead and have a muzzle while in public. What is more, from this date it will be completely illegal to advertise, breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon or let stray any XL Bullies. In short – it is a decisive strike against this breed, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, earlier this year.Furthermore, a complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will come into force in the UK from February 1st, 2023. This had owners scared that their pets would have to be put down just because of their breed, but, luckily, that’s not the case. If the owner applies before the end of January, with the wish to keep their pet. With that, the household will receive an exemption certificate, but it will also have to comply with a very strict set of rules related to the breed. UK government department Defra has announced that it received more than 4,000 exemption applications so far and that a “majority” were approved. Their spokesperson said that “ "The majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week."This only supports the assurances that there will be no “forced” euthanization of these dogs. However, those people that do not apply for an exemption by the end of the deadline, will have to put their XL Bullies down. They will be granted £200 to cover the costs of a vet euthanizing their dog. Rescue and rehoming organizations can claim £100 per animal for the same purpose. The government's website states "the euthanasia must be performed by 31 January 2024" for these financial claims to be successful. Sadly, because of this new law, at least 246 XL Bullies will be put down in the coming period, as their owners did not apply for an exemption, or were not granted one. American XL Bullies are not the first dogs to be banned in the UK. Several breeds were banned in the past, and owning them is now completely illegal. These breeds include the  Pitbull terrier,  Japanese Tosa,  Dogo Argentino, and  Fila Brasileiro. Owning a banned dog breed can get you in plenty of trouble, specifically an unlimited fine and a six-month prison sentence. 

Is it OK to Give Dogs Raw Bones?

While dogs can be picky eaters, they’re not really known as pets with the most refined pallets. Pooches tend to be voracious and their appetites are indiscriminate, so they’ll munch on anything – anytime.However, as a responsible owner, you should make sure that whatever they’re snacking on is something that’s safe for them to eat – which can be a bit stressful. For instance, the image of a dog with a bone is all but ingrained in people’s brains, but do dogs really need to chew on bones? And, if so, are raw bones fine or do you need to cook them first?Many owners are fearful that bones are not entirely appropriate for dogs, both because of potential bacterial contamination and the risk of bone splintering. Because of this, feeding dogs raw bones can be a controversial topic, and it's important to consider various factors before deciding whether or not to offer this natural snack to your pet. Before you make your decision, here are some important aspects to take into account.Is it OK to Give Dogs Raw Bones?Whether it’s a childhood memory or a scene in an old cartoon, you’ve probably seen a dig happily gnawing on a bone (and a cat drinking cow milk), but are bones really good for dogs – or is it just a myth that they enjoy them? While raw bones for dogs can have some benefits, such as offering important trace minerals, or a way to naturally  remove plaque buildup from a dog’s teeth, there are some risks to giving your pet raw bones. Mainly, two things about raw bones concern dog owners – their tendency to splinter and potential bacterial contamination. When it comes to splintering, it is much less likely for a raw bone to splinter than a cooked one, but still, it is wise to choose bigger bones to minimize the risks even more. As for the chance for the bones to be contaminated with salmonella or E. coli, the key is to source the bones from a trusted, responsible supplier.With those things in mind, if you are still interested in giving your dog raw bones, here are some key steps to follow to make sure that your pet is safe and enjoys their natural chew treat without any adverse effects:#1 Always supervise your petIf you decide to give your dog a raw bone, it's essential to supervise them closely. This helps prevent potential choking hazards, broken teeth, or possible injuries if splintering does occur.#2 Pick the right size

Here Are the 10 Rarest Dog Breeds in America

Dogs are the most popular pets in America – deservingly, they are the most loved and affectionate furry friends, and their popularity as family companions never wanes. We all know what are the most popular dog breeds – and which evergreen breeds have been stealing hearts for decades back, but how about those lesser-known breeds? Which in particular are the rarest among them? Even if touting great qualities, some of these super rare breeds are simply hard to come by, and they are seldom seen. Thanks to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club ( AKC), we can now find out which dog breeds are as obscure as can be. Out of a list of 199 registered and accepted breeds, the AKC revealed the 10 rarest dog breeds in America. 10.  Pyrenean Shepherd9.  Cesky Terrier8.  Sussex Spaniel7.  Harrier6.  Azawakh5.  Belgian Laekenois4.  American Foxhound3.  Sloughi2.  Norwegian Lundehund1.  English FoxhoundDon’t be surprised if you have never heard of some of these unique breeds. They are rare for a reason! On the other side of the spectrum, looking at the most recent trends, the French Bulldog holds the number one spot as the most popular pet dog breed in America, with the Labrador and Golden Retrievers following close by. That’s a bit of a change, as the Golden Retriever long held the number one spot. Generally speaking, most people tend to go for more known and traditional dog breeds when looking for a purebred dog, but the world of canines is much more diverse, with plenty of unusual and amazing breeds to choose from.Ultimately, the popularity of a certain breed should not be connected with their suitability as pets. After all, many factors contribute to that – a great deal of pet parents, myself included, are proud to share their lives with a mixed breed pooch and the fact that they’re not a certain breed doesn’t make them any less perfect. Your four-legged bestie might be a more popular dog breed, a rare purebred, a hybrid designer dog breed, or a cute mutt – they’ll steal your heart either way!

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