Can I give Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) to my dog?

The short answer: **No, do not give paracetamol to dogs** without veterinary prescription and dosing

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is toxic to dogs at doses commonly used in humans. While veterinarians can prescribe paracetamol for specific indications at carefully calculated doses (typically 10–15 mg/kg every 8–12 hours under supervision), self-administration of human paracetamol tablets to a dog risks serious liver damage, methemoglobinemia, and death. Cats are even more sensitive — for them paracetamol is nearly always fatal.

Why paracetamol is dangerous for dogs

Dogs metabolize paracetamol primarily by hepatic conjugation, and at toxic doses the minor CYP2E1 pathway produces NAPQI, the same toxic metabolite responsible for human acetaminophen liver injury. Dogs have lower glutathione reserves per kg than humans, so the toxic threshold is lower than their body weight would suggest. Additionally, dogs can develop methemoglobinemia (blood unable to carry oxygen), with cyanosis, difficulty breathing, and chocolate-brown gums.

Toxic doses in dogs

• >100 mg/kg: hepatotoxicity likely
• >200 mg/kg: severe liver injury, methemoglobinemia
• >600 mg/kg: fatal without aggressive treatment
• A single 500 mg human tablet is already 50 mg/kg for a 10 kg dog — approaching the toxic range

What to use instead

Safer, veterinary-approved analgesics for dogs include:

• Carprofen (Rimadyl) — dog-specific NSAID
• Meloxicam (Metacam) — NSAID for dogs
• Firocoxib — COX-2 selective NSAID
• Gabapentin for chronic or neuropathic pain
• Tramadol (efficacy debated; often combined with NSAID)