My dog ate ibuprofen (advil, motrin) — what should I do?
Depends on the dose — check the calculator
What to do now
- Risk depends on how much ibuprofen your dog ate per kg of body weight (0 mg/kg → YELLOW, 25 mg/kg → RED). Use the PawPanic calculator with your dog's weight and the amount.
- If you can't estimate the amount, assume the worst and call your vet or a poison hotline.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
NSAID with a narrow safety margin in dogs: stomach ulcers, kidney failure, seizures at high doses.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting (may be bloody), black stool, not eating, increased thirst, seizures.
When: 2-6 hours GI; kidney 1-5 days
Frequently asked questions
Is ibuprofen (advil, motrin) dangerous for dogs?
It depends on the amount and your dog's weight. NSAID with a narrow safety margin in dogs: stomach ulcers, kidney failure, seizures at high doses. Use the PawPanic calculator or call your vet.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate ibuprofen (advil, motrin)?
Vomiting (may be bloody), black stool, not eating, increased thirst, seizures.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats ibuprofen (advil, motrin)?
2-6 hours GI; kidney 1-5 days
What should I do if my dog ate ibuprofen (advil, motrin)?
If you can't estimate the amount, assume the worst and call your vet or a poison hotline.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
Merck: acute GI signs 100-125 mg/kg, kidney failure 175-300 mg/kg, CNS >400 mg/kg, and ulceration with repeated 8-16 mg/kg. ASPCA has cited GI signs from ~25 mg/kg. PawPanic uses the more conservative 25 mg/kg for RED; any amount = call.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicoses from human analgesics
- Pet Poison Helpline: ibuprofen
- Pet Poison Helpline: nsaids
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: advil, motrin, nurofen · Category: Medication · Last reviewed 2026-10-14