Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen

Medications

Alternate names

Advil, Motrin, NSAID, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

Toxicity to pets

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a class of drug that is commonly used for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps, and for the relief of mild fevers. Though ibuprofen is used commonly by people, dogs and cats are very sensitive to this drug and its use is not recommended. Dog-specific NSAIDs include common brands such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox and Metacam. Currently, there are no NSAIDs designed for long-term use in cats. This class of drug is used sparingly in cats because it is poorly tolerated (it can result in severe kidney failure with overdose or repeated doses).

Pet owners should never give any medication to their dog or cat without consultation with their veterinarian. Some pet owners give NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, without realizing the dangers to their dog or cat. When pets ingest small doses of ibuprofen, it may result in severe stomach ulcers causing signs of vomiting, bloody vomitus, diarrhea, black-tarry stool, weakness, pale gums (a sign of anemia), abdominal pain, lethargy, and loss of appetite. With larger ingestions, kidney failure, liver failure and neurological problems (e.g., tremors, seizures) can develop.

If you think your dog or cat has ingested ibuprofen, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline® immediately for life-saving treatment advice.

Common signs to watch for:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloody diarrhea/vomiting, black tarry stools
  • anorexia
  • lethargy
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
Ibuprofen

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Dogs

Toxicity Level

Moderate

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Cats

Toxicity Level

Moderate

Cows

Toxicity Level

Moderate

Horses

Toxicity Level

Moderate

Disclaimer

The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) determine what is toxic to a particular pet. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.