Can you give a dog Calpol?

If your dog has managed to injure themselves or taken a knock and they seem largely ok but you suspect they might be in a bit of pain, you might be wondering if they really need to go to the vet or will be fine in a few hours or a couple of days.

If you decide they don’t need to see the vet but are wondering if there’s anything you can do to make them feel better at home, you might be wondering what human medications are ok for dogs and if you have kids, wondering “Can you give a dog Calpol?". Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer. Read more for a better understanding, of which human painkillers are suitable for dogs and which are not. 

What is Calpol?

First of all, it is important to make clear what we mean when we say Calpol in the context of the question “Can you give a dog Calpol?”. The word “Calpol” is actually a brand name rather than a medication type, and today it encompasses a family of medicines of several different types, not just one. Some are to ease congestion, others for pain, and even other uses.

However, for the purposes of the question of can dogs have Calpol, the product we’re referring to is the best-known or most widely used product in the Calpol family, sold as “Calpol Infant Suspension.”
Calpol Infant Suspension is a liquid syrup containing the active ingredient paracetamol. It is designed as a painkiller and anti-inflammatory for even very young children, and it is sweet tasting compared to most medications. There is also a Calprofen suspension, with a different active ingredient - ibuprofen.

Can you give a dog Calpol if they’re in pain?

Given that Calpol is designed to give to even very young children, it might seem like this would be a good medicine for a dog too – so, can you give a dog Calpol if they’re in pain? 
Just because the medicine is suitable for children does not neccesarily mean it is suitable for dogs too. Many dog owners assume that baby syrup is milder or differently dosed than adult painkillers as it’s for kids and that it is therefore a good match for dogs too, but that is not how it works.

Calpol contains paracetamol as an active ingredient. Paracetamol is generally allowed for usage in dog medicine, but it needs to be dosed very carefully and precisely according to the dog's weight. Paracetamol is not suitable for dogs with liver or kidney disease and please remember - it is toxic for cats. 
On the other hand, ibuprofen, contained in Calprofen, is never used for dogs even in veterinary clinics, as it is very toxic to them with a very small boundary between safety and potential fatality.
Calpol also contains sugar to make it palatable, but the sugar-free version contains an artificial sweetener instead, and artificial sweeteners can be dangerous to dogs on their own.
You should always reach your vet before giving any medicine to your dog. 

Why can’t you give a dog Calpol?

Even though paracetamol can be acceptable for dog treatment, it should always be indicated by a vet, who is also able to count the right dosage. Most veterinarians prefer other painkillers, which are more gentle to dog organisms. 
Ibuprofen is not suitable for dogs at all. It can harm the stomach and cause internal bleeding, it is also toxic to a dog's metabolism. Nothing from the common human painkillers is safe for cats. 
You also cannot give a dog medications that were prescribed for another dog (or cat) even if their symptoms seemed to be the same. Even when it comes to old medications your dog has been prescribed for something else in the past, you should not give them to your dog in future for something else or a recurrence of the same problem unless your vet says it is ok.

What can you do instead of giving your dog medication?

If the pain is caused by an injury, you can apply a cold bandage. Joint or muscle pain can get better by warming your dog with an infra red lamp or applying a special warming pillow from the microwave. 
If you are not sure about the cause of the pain, you should take your dog to the vet who will make a diagnosis.

Dogs not only need the appropriate medication for their ailments, which comes from the vet, but they also need proper attention, examination and diagnosis. Please remember that trying to self-diagnose and medicate your dog at home can be very dangerous.