Perhaps they’re whimpering, shaking or not even tempted by their food anymore — there are few sadder sights than a dog in obvious discomfort.
When your vet thinks they know the medical reason behind the pain, they’ll try to find ways to heal this over the long term.
At the same time, they’ll often also prescribe treatments to alleviate the worst symptoms in the here and now — Tramadol is a standard option.
In this introductory guide to Tramadol for dogs, you’ll find out:
- The situations in which Tramadol is prescribed
- How to give Tramadol to your dogs
- Tramadol dosage for dogs
- Potential side effects of tramadol in dogs
To ensure your dog has access to Tramadol or other forms of pain relief when they need it most, parents should get them covered under a pet insurance policy — our comparison tool makes it easy to look through the best options.
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid that was approved for use in humans by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995 and often prescribed to animals, including dogs.
The medication is different from many others in that it doesn’t treat or fix whatever’s wrong with your dog’s body, but instead offers immediate relief from pain.
It has two different effects on the body. Firstly, it targets the pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which stops the immediate sensation of pain — the source of pain will still be there, but your dog will no longer feel it.
In addition, it blocks the reuptake of two neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin), which leads to them both building up in the bloodstream and creating a feeling of well-being and happiness.
Is Tramadol Safe for Dogs?
Can dogs take Tramadol? Well, although Tramadol has been approved for use in humans, the FDA hasn’t explicitly given it the green light when it comes to animals, including dogs.
However, many vets will prescribe the drug to pets anyway — this is called off-label or extra-label drug use and is a common practice in the veterinary world.
This is backed up by a wealth of institutional knowledge, so parents should never assume Tramadol prescribed for human use can be given to dogs. Not only are the quantities necessary for humans and dogs different, but some Tramadol medication for humans also contains Acetaminophen, a substance which can be toxic for animals.
What is Tramadol Used For?
Given that there are a large number of illnesses and medical conditions that can cause pain in your dog, Tramadol is used in a huge range of scenarios. These include:
- Cancer
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy
- Lameness
- Osteoarthritis
- Recovery from surgery
- Slipped or ruptured discs
This list is not exhaustive and your vet might turn to Tramadol in response to any occasion during which your dog is suffering from moderate to extreme pain.
There are a few instances in which Tramadol can offer more than just pain relief. Because it also has noted mild anti-anxiety effects, you can use tramadol for dogs with anxiety. It can also reduce bouts of coughing.
How Effective is Tramadol?
Perhaps the biggest reason Tramadol is so commonly prescribed by vets is because the drug is fast-acting. How long does it take for tramadol to work in dogs?
While it can often take effect in as little as one or two hours, it isn’t always the case. In cases of chronic pain, Tramadol can take a few weeks to offer your dog relief from their symptoms.
Over the long term, your dog might build up a tolerance to Tramadol, reducing the intended impact. This is why other painkillers are sometimes prescribed at the same time.
Tramadol Dosage and Administration for Dogs
Given the strength of Tramadol and the potential for overdoses, parents will only be able to get Tramadol for their pets with a vet’s prescription.
If your vet decides there’s a need for pain relief, there are several factors they’ll take into consideration when deciding on a Tramadol dosage for dogs.
This includes the severity of your dog’s pain, their overall health and any other medication they’re currently taking. Your dog’s weight is also important, as a dose intended for a larger dog could lead to an overdose in a smaller animal.
Generally, your vet will prescribe between 1-5mg of Tramadol per kilogram of your dog’s weight and this comes in the form of a tablet, capsule or liquid.
They’ll also tell you how often to administer the drug — often, this will be every eight to twelve hours, but your vet might decide every six hours is more appropriate in certain cases.
What Happens if Your Dog Misses a Dose of Tramadol?
If you miss a dose, you should give it to your dog as soon as you realize. However, if it’s closer in time to the next dose, you’re better off waiting until that point and resuming the original schedule.
With most medications, it’s important to never give your dog more than the prescribed dose by doubling up or giving extra doses. This is particularly important when it comes to Tramadol, as an overdose can be very serious.
Possible Tramadol Side-Effects in Dogs
In the vast majority of cases, a course of Tramadol will lead to your dog experiencing less pain. However, there are potential side effects of tramadol in dogs, for which parents need to keep an eye out.
Does tramadol make dogs sleepy? Yes - drowsiness and sedation is one common side effect. Others include:
- Anxiety (often displayed through excessive vocalization)
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle tremors
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
Often, these aren’t usually severe by themselves, but you should still inform your vet anyway so they can monitor and reassess the dosage if need be.
When it comes to more concerning side effects, there are several behaviors (or a combination thereof) that suggest your dog has had an overdose of Tramadol.
These include:
- Agitation or restlessness
- Decreased breathing or heartbeat
- Drooling
- Extreme sleepiness
- Incoordination
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting
A Tramadol overdose can be potentially life-threatening for a canine. If your dog is acting weird on tramadol it's important to contact a vet. Your dog may have consumed too much or had a bad reaction to the medication.
Possible Drug Interactions
Given that Tramadol isn’t curative in nature, the drug will often be prescribed alongside other medication that targets the medical condition causing your dog pain.
That being said, it’s vital that veterinary medication is taken in the correct proportion, otherwise there’s the potential for different drugs to interact with each other and bring about nasty side effects.
You should disclose all of the medication, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies your dog is currently taking during a consultation with your vet as this will allow them to establish a safe dosage and administration schedule.
The following drugs are known to interact with Tramadol, making it especially important to tell your vet:
- Antidepressants (including SSRI and tricyclic antidepressants)
- Any other opioids
- Azole antifungals
- Cimetidine
- Cyproheptadine
- Digoxin
- Ketamine
- MAO inhibitors
- Metoclopramide
- Ondansetron
- Quinidine
- S-Adenosylmethionine (or SAMe)
- Sevoflurane
- Warfarin
- Yohimbine
If your dog is currently taking any of these medications, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they won’t be allowed to take Tramadol.
However, your vet will need to consider the possibility of interactions when making a Tramadol prescription and adjust accordingly.
Are There Any Dogs That Shouldn’t Be Given Tramadol?
Although the bulk of dogs will be able to tolerate Tramadol, there will be others that have a reduced ability to do so.
As well as animals taking any of the medications listed above, vets are often cautious when it comes to prescribing Tramadol to pregnant or nursing dogs.
This is because it can often be passed on to puppies that might suffer adverse side effects from inadvertent consumption.
Likewise, your vet may decide against using Tramadol for your dog if your pet has a history of seizures, liver disease or kidney problems.
You don’t have to wait until an emergency to tend to your dog’s health — a comprehensive wellness plan will keep them fighting fit and maybe even catch medical issues before they become more of a problem
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my dog tramadol prescribed for humans?
Tramadol should only be given to your dog when prescribed by a vet — do not give your dog tramadol prescribed to humans. The dosage required for dogs and humans is vastly different, and giving your dog tramadol medication prescribed to humans is very dangerous.
Is tramadol safe for cats?
Tramadol is safe for cats when prescribed by a vet. However, Ultracet®, a tramadol brand given to humans containing acetaminophen, is toxic to cats. Acetaminophen could cause acetaminophen toxicity in cats, which is potentially fatal.
