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What is tramadol used for in dogs?

Tramadol treats chronic pain in dogs
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By | Feb. 8, 2024 Medically reviewed by Emma Ryan, DVM
A brown and white dog sitting with its mouth open: What is tramadol used for in dogs?

Key takeaways

  • Tramadol is used to treat chronic and arthritic pain in dogs.

  • The standard tramadol dosage for dogs is 5–10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight given every six to 12 hours.

  • The most common side effects of tramadol in dogs are drowsiness, dizziness, tremors, anxiety, diarrhea, constipation, and appetite loss.

  • Do not give tramadol to dogs with a history of allergic reactions to tramadol or other opioids.

In this article:

Tramadol (Ultram) is an opioid pain reliever commonly used for chronic pain relief in dogs. Although it’s approved for use in humans, its veterinary use is off-label, that is, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved tramadol for veterinary medicine. In dogs, veterinarians primarily use tramadol and other drugs to relieve chronic or arthritic pain. It’s rarely used for surgical pain and can be prescribed to relieve coughing, but this is also a rare use of the drug. 

RELATED: Save up to 80% on tramadol

What is tramadol used for in dogs?

Tramadol for dogs is primarily used for pain relief. It is usually combined with another medication, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), gabapentin, or amantadine. Other uses are possible but not very common.

Chronic pain

Most pet owners will encounter tramadol as an analgesic for chronic pain, usually osteoarthritis, the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It’s usually prescribed with other pain relievers like NSAIDs unless the pain is mild. Research suggests that tramadol is not effective as a chronic pain medication in pets, but it may increase the effectiveness of other treatments, such as NSAIDs. 

Because dogs can’t tell their owners they’re in pain, pet parents should look for signs of chronic pain such as limping, excessive licking of joints, lameness, reluctance to move, and behavior changes like aggression or lethargy. Tramadol works like other opioids, which block pain signals by attaching to mu opioid receptors on nerves. However, tramadol is a weak mu opioid receptor agonist compared to other opioids. It may take up to 14 days for there to be a noticeable improvement in the dog’s movements or mood. 

Surgical pain

Tramadol is not effective at treating acute pain. However, it’s possible but not likely a veterinarian will prescribe tramadol after a veterinary procedure. Tramadol was once commonly used to manage pain after animal surgeries, but it’s fallen out of favor. Other opioids, NSAIDs, and alpha2 agonists usually handle post-surgical pain management.

Cough

Treating a dog’s cough is another suggested use of tramadol in human and veterinary medicine. It is effective as a cough suppressant, but veterinarians are unlikely to use it since there are proven and common alternatives such as dextromethorphan and codeine.

Is tramadol safe for dogs?

Tramadol is safe for dogs if prescribed by a veterinarian and all dosing instructions are followed.

  • Tramadol should not be given to dogs allergic to tramadol or other opioids.
  • Both the kidneys and liver are involved in clearing tramadol from a dog’s body, so dosages may need to be adjusted in dogs with kidney disease or liver disease. 
  • Humans have been known to experience seizures when taking tramadol, so tramadol is prescribed with caution to dogs with a history of seizures.
  • Because tramadol causes sedation and coordination problems, veterinarians are advised to be cautious when prescribing it to aged, frail, or debilitated dogs. Service or working dogs may be unable to perform their functions if tramadol causes impairment.

Side effects of tramadol in dogs

Tramadol’s most common side effects in dogs include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Tremors
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of appetite
  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting

Serious side effects are not very common. Other than allergic reactions, serious side effects usually mean that the dose is too high or tramadol is interacting with other drugs. These serious adverse effects include:

  • Extreme sedation
  • Agitation
  • Seizures
  • Loss of coordination (ataxia)

Call a veterinarian or go to an emergency animal hospital if serious side effects are noticed. You can help the veterinarian by recording what you see on a smartphone if the animal has seizures, balance problems, or can’t walk or move well.

Interactions of tramadol with other pet meds

Tramadol is safe to take, but some drug interactions may cause problems:

  • At the top of the list are other drugs that slow down the nervous system called CNS depressants. These include other opioids, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and cannabidiol (CBD). When combined with tramadol, they may make the dog especially sleepy and increase the risk of serious side effects like seizures.
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine will make tramadol less effective at treating pain.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants increase the risk of tramadol side effects, including serious side effects such as seizures.
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline are usually avoided because they increase the risk of a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. 
  • Amitraz, an ingredient in some topical tick prevention treatments, can worsen the sedative effects of tramadol.
  • SAMe supplements, used for senility or liver disease in dogs, may not be safe to take with tramadol.

RELATED: Tramadol interactions to avoid

Tramadol dosage for dogs

There is no official standardized tramadol dosage for dogs. According to Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Manual, the recommended dosage for analgesia is 5 mg/kg, taken every six to eight hours. For more severe pain, doses can go as high as 10 mg/kg. However, veterinarians will prescribe a dosage of tramadol they consider effective, safe, and appropriate for the dog based on its size, age, medical conditions, and other drugs being taken. 

Most pet parents will use human tramadol tablets in dosage strength of 50 mg. Owners may need to cut the 50 mg tablets into smaller doses for smaller dogs. This may give the pills a bitter taste, making it harder for the dog to take. Alternatively, a compounding pharmacy can make smaller-dose tablets or an oral solution.

Some human formulations of tramadol include acetaminophen. These drugs can be given to a dog, but talk to the veterinarian first.

Can dogs overdose on tramadol?

Dogs can overdose on tramadol. There is no standardized maximum dose, but the highest recommended dose for dogs is 10 mg per kilogram of body weight. 

A tramadol overdose can be serious, so if you observe or suspect an overdose in a pet, call a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or an animal poison helpline. The most obvious sign of an overdose is excessive sleepiness and lethargy. Other symptoms of an overdose include pinpoint pupils, loss of coordination, stumbling, drooling, and vomiting. The dog may also have tremors or a rapid heart rate.

Can I give my dog tramadol every day?

Tramadol is given to a dog every day for pain control. As long as there aren’t any notable side effects, the drug should be safe for long-term use. However, it may become less effective at pain control over time. Long-term use may also cause dependence, so the dog will need a tapering dose when the medicine is discontinued.

How to give your dog tramadol

Tramadol is given by mouth two, three, or four times daily, depending on the prescription. It doesn’t matter if it’s given with or without food. 

  • Administer this medicine as instructed by a veterinarian or veterinary professional.
  • Do not increase the dose of tramadol or give the dog extra doses without first consulting with the prescribing veterinarian.
  • If you’re unfamiliar with dosing a dog or expect problems, have a veterinary professional demonstrate the most effective way to give a dog tablets.
  • If the dog vomits up the tablet, try giving the tablet with food. If that doesn’t work, try putting the pill in a flavored treat.
  • If the dog is being given an oral solution, measure the medicine with a measurement device supplied by the veterinarian or the compounding pharmacy. Do not use kitchen utensils or tableware.
  • If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose as scheduled.
  • Tramadol tablets should be stored at room temperature and protected from moisture.
  • Tramadol oral solution should be stored according to the instructions given by the compounding pharmacy.
  • As with all medicines, keep tramadol out of the reach of children. As a controlled substance, it may be best to keep it locked up.

Tramadol alternatives for dogs

Tramadol is primarily used as an add-on treatment for chronic or arthritic pain in dogs. The preferred medications for these conditions are NSAIDs such as deracoxib or carprofen.

As an adjunct pain medication, veterinarians may prescribe gabapentin or amantadine.

Natural or complementary treatments that may help a dog with chronic pain or arthritis include:

Summary

Tramadol is an opioid commonly prescribed to dogs with chronic or arthritic pain. It may not be useful for other types of pain. Tramadol is safe for dogs when given under the direction of a veterinarian. Side effects are uncommon. Serious side effects are rare and usually due to dosage errors or drug interactions. 

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