Skip to main content
FurCalc

Dog Ibuprofen (Advil) Toxicity Calculator — Overdose Risk by Weight

Did your pup swallow ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)? This emergency calculator classifies overdose severity by weight using the Merck Veterinary Manual NSAID toxicity thresholds — 50 mg/kg causes gastrointestinal injury, 175 mg/kgdamages kidneys, and 400+ mg/kg causes CNS effects and can be lethal. Call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately.

Calculator

Enter inputs to enable Save / Email
mg
Advil = 200 mg per tablet; Motrin IB = 200 mg; prescription = 400-800 mg per tablet. Count carefully.
Dogs metabolize ibuprofen far more slowly than humans. Even a single 200 mg tablet can harm a 20 lb dog.
Estimated risk
Minimal risk
Dose
14.7 mg/kg
200 mg total

What to do

Monitor for 24 hours.

Symptoms to watch for

  • No toxicity expected

Ibuprofen toxicity dose tiers (Merck Veterinary Manual)

Dose (mg/kg)SeverityClinical signsTreatment
5-50MildVomiting, mild GI upsetActivated charcoal, monitor
50-100Moderate GIBloody vomit, ulcers, melenaIV fluids, sucralfate, omeprazole
175-300Kidney injuryAcute kidney injury, oliguriaIV fluids 48-72 hr, BUN/creatinine
400+CNS / lethalSeizures, coma, multi-organ failureICU, hemodialysis if available

OTC NSAID vs vet NSAID: safer alternatives for dogs

NSAIDOTC for humans?Safe for dogs?
Ibuprofen (Advil)YesNo — narrow margin, GI & kidney toxic
Naproxen (Aleve)YesNo — even more toxic than ibuprofen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)YesNo — liver toxic; lethal to cats
Aspirin (low dose)YesShort-term only with vet OK
Carprofen (Rimadyl)NoYes — veterinary-labeled
Meloxicam (Metacam)NoYes — veterinary-labeled

NSAID toxicity terminology

NSAID
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug — class that includes ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, carprofen, meloxicam.
COX-1 / COX-2 inhibition
Mechanism that suppresses prostaglandin synthesis; OTC ibuprofen blocks both, vet NSAIDs are more COX-2 selective.
Melena
Black, tar-like stool from upper-GI bleeding — classic NSAID-toxicity sign.
Acute kidney injury (AKI)
Sudden kidney damage — second toxicity tier from NSAID overdose (175+ mg/kg ibuprofen).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much ibuprofen is toxic to dogs?

Per Merck Vet Manual: 50-125 mg/kg causes GI upset and ulceration; 175-300 mg/kg causes acute kidney injury; 400+ mg/kg causes CNS depression, seizures, and potentially death. Standard 200 mg tablet = toxic to a 20 lb dog after 2-3 tablets.

Can I give my dog ibuprofen for pain?

NO. Dogs metabolize NSAIDs differently than humans. Vet-prescribed carprofen (Rimadyl), meloxicam (Metacam), firocoxib (Previcox) or grapiprant (Galliprant) are safer. Never give human ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin without a vet's direction.

What are symptoms of ibuprofen poisoning?

Vomiting (often with blood), dark/tarry stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, increased thirst, decreased urination, weakness, seizures. Symptoms often appear within 2-6 hours and worsen over 24-72 hours.

What should I do if my dog ate ibuprofen?

Call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or go to ER vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms. If ingestion was within 2 hours, vomiting may be induced. Activated charcoal, IV fluid diuresis, and gastroprotectants (omeprazole, sucralfate) are standard treatment.

Is naproxen (Aleve) worse than ibuprofen for dogs?

Yes. Naproxen has a much longer half-life in dogs (~35 hours vs ~5 for ibuprofen) so toxicity persists much longer. It is also toxic at lower doses (5 mg/kg).

Can dogs recover from ibuprofen poisoning?

Yes, with prompt treatment. GI-level ingestions recover within 2-3 days. Kidney-level doses may cause permanent damage. Very high doses (>600 mg/kg) can be fatal even with intensive care.

Sources & References

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    NSAID Toxicity in Dogs — Merck Veterinary Manual
  3. [3]