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By Marni Rose McFall
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A popular TikToker known as Ben The Vet has issued a warning after a video that claimed it was safe to give pets ibuprofen was viewed more than 300,000 times on the social media platform.
Why It Matters
Pets are a massive part of American life, with some 66 percent of households (86.9 million homes) owning one, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Veterinary costs for animals can be high, so it's important for owners to stay up to date with correct medical advice.
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What To Know
A TikTok video that went viral in June claims that you can give pets the same medicine you give to children. It shows a person taking a plastic syringe out of bottle of ibuprofen meant for children.
In a clip shared to TikTok account @ben.the.vet, Ben says: "The advice given in this video is not correct."
"Ibuprofen is not a safe painkiller to give to pets and it's concerning to see how many views this video has had, and how many pets might be harmed by this advice."
Speaking to Newsweek by email, Ben said: "I think many people assume that if something is safe to give to a baby it must be fine to give to a dog or a cat, but that really isn't the case.
"The physiology of a human is different to that of dog or a cat. This is why there are prescribing laws that mean over the counter medicines for humans legally have to be issued via a veterinary prescription—to avoid people inadvertently poisoning their pets."
Dr. Alasdair Boag, a specialist in internal medicine at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, told Newsweek by email: "Ibuprofen is toxic to dogs because it is not removed from the body like in people. Ibuprofen is irritating to the lining of the stomach and intestines leading to bleeding and ulceration."
Ben The Vet advises in his video that symptoms and sickness may not be immediately apparent after consuming ibuprofen. However, over time, these symptoms can build up.
He added that he thinks confusion may lie in the fact that there are some painkillers for humans which can be used in pets, if the right dose is administered. As an example, he said it can be OK to give paracetamol to dogs, but not cats. He added that paracetamol for pets is a "prescription-only medication."
Symptoms of Ibuprofen Poisoning in Pets
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are designed for human usage and can be harmful to pets if they are ingested.
The helpline advises that symptoms of poisoning from these drugs can include:
- Black tarry stool
- Diarrhea
- Increased urination or thirst
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Vomiting
What People Are Saying
Dr. Alasdair Boag, a specialist at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, told Newsweek by email: "Ibuprofen can also lead to kidney failure in dogs. Both the ulceration and kidney failure can be fatal; dogs should never be given ibuprofen."
Ben The Vet, told Newsweek by email: "Social media can be a minefield of misinformation when it comes to health—both for humans and animals. I would urge all pet owners only to take advice on their pet's health from a trained veterinary professional."
What Happens Next
The summer months can pose health risks to pets due to high temperatures and an increase in outdoor activity. Pet owners should be mindful of heatstroke and dehydration, as well as burned paws, pests and parasites.
Update 7/2/25, 10:57 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Ben The Vet.
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