When humans are ever feeling a little under the weather — be it a headache or a high temperature — the first thing they will often reach for is the bottle of Tylenol.

This over-the-counter medication is an effective weapon when it comes to pain and fever relief, which raises the question — can you give a dog Tylenol, too?

The answer is yes, but there’s quite a lot a pet parent should know before they start administering this potentially dangerous home treatment to their dog.

In this comprehensive guide to Tylenol for Dogs, you’ll learn:

Although almost every American will be familiar with Tylenol, this is only the brand name — the active ingredient is actually called acetaminophen.

To make matters slightly more complicated, acetaminophen is known as paracetamol in almost every other country worldwide. They are the same drug, however.

Acetaminophen was first synthesized by scientists in the second half of the 19th century, but pharmaceutical companies only started marketing the drug as an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) in the 1950s. 

In the decades since, it has become one of the most popular medicines in the USA and the wider world, thanks in no small part to its efficacy in treating mild to moderate pain and its low cost.

There will be times in a parent’s life when they wonder ‘what can I give my dog for pain?’ When this moment arises, it’s tempting to turn to Tylenol, but is it really suitable for canine bodies?

This is a fairly contentious topic. Some vets will never recommend giving dogs Tylenol, as it’s a drug designed specifically for humans. In fact, it hasn’t been approved for veterinary use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

However, there are lots of human medications unapproved for use in animals by the FDA that are prescribed by vets — this is called off-label or extra-label drug use. Tylenol is a medication that’s often recommended for use by vets in this way, as it’s generally accepted to be safe to give dogs in the correct quantity.

That being said, you should always consult with your vet before giving dogs Tylenol, as there are other pain meds for dogs available, some of which might be more suitable.

Tylenol has the same effect on dogs as it does on humans — it relieves mild to moderate pain and also reduces the symptoms of fever.

As such, there are quite a lot of medical conditions in which vets might deem Tylenol to be useful, including degenerative myelopathy. Pardale-V, a mixture of Tylenol and codeine, is a commonly used drug in the veterinary field as well.

Much of the reason behind Tylenol’s popularity is its impressive record when it comes to alleviating the symptoms of pain and fever.

However, it’s very much a short-term fix. It’s not recommended to take Tylenol for long periods, as it can cause liver damage. Fortunately, there’s a range of other pain relief medications that vets can turn to if the problem is persistent.

Even though Tylenol can be helpful for dogs, it’s important to get the amount correct as there’s a very real risk of overdose. Parents should always contact a vet before giving their dog any medication intended for humans, as they will be able to provide the exact dosage and additional guidance.

Tylenol comes in both liquid and tablet form. It’s often prescribed for dogs at around 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight every 12 hours, but 30 milligrams per kilogram can be given in some instances for short periods. 

If your vet has given you the go-ahead to administer Tylenol to your dog, make sure the product isn’t a variation on Tylenol that also contains aspirin or caffeine — this can be potentially harmful. Opt only for regular-strength Tylenol.

If you forget to administer a dose of Tylenol, give it to your dog as soon as possible. However, after they’ve had the missed dose, make sure to wait 12 hours before giving them their next one. Never double up on doses as you run the risk of causing Tylenol toxicity in dogs.

As is the case with the vast majority of medications, dogs can occasionally suffer side effects after taking Tylenol. These include:

If you witness these symptoms, you should contact the vet straight away for further instructions. These aren’t necessarily the signs of a Tylenol overdose — it could be an intolerance or allergy to acetaminophen instead.

If your dog is given too much Tylenol, it could cause acetaminophen toxicity. This usually occurs within one and four hours of consumption. Dogs don't have the same metabolism as humans, so they break down Tylenol at a different rate. 

Telltale signs of acetaminophen toxicity include:

Acetaminophen toxicity can cause liver damage or even be fatal, so if you see any of these worrying symptoms, you should contact a vet immediately for treatment.

When discussing Tylenol with your vet, it’s important you tell them every single medication, supplement and herbal remedy that your dog is currently taking.

This is because Tylenol can interact negatively with other drugs — this is known to be particularly true when it comes to chemotherapy treatments and anesthetics.

As a result, it’s not recommended to give Tylenol to a dog that’s had surgery in the previous 24 hours.

Your vet might advise against Tylenol for dogs if they suffer from any of the following conditions: