Making the decision to euthanize your dog is challenging for any pet owner. Many pet owners often seek in-home euthanasia methods to avoid a veterinary office’s expenses and anxiety-triggering environments. One widely discussed method is to euthanize your dog at home using Tylenol PM, but is it a suitable option? You may even be wondering how much Tylenol PM to euthanize a dog.
Tylenol PM is poisonous to dogs. While many humans turn to Tylenol for euthanizing their pets at home, it’s unfortunately not that simple. Tylenol PM causes death by liver failure, a slow and painful way to euthanize your dog. Tylenol can take more than 24 hours to euthanize your dog fully. If you’re looking for a way to put your pet down gently, many non-profit organizations and welfare societies can provide better alternatives.
For a complete breakdown of how much Tylenol PM to euthanize a dog, keep reading.
Before scrolling down this guide, “Can You Euthanize Your Dog At Home Using Tylenol PM?” be sure to check out these other dog questions: Can You Be Allergic to Dogs and Not Cats? and Can You Use Desitin On Dogs?
What Is Tylenol PM?
Tylenol PM is an over-the-counter medication that humans use to alleviate pain. Tylenol is rarely used to treat pain in dogs because it is toxic to them. It contains Acetaminophen, which can easily lead to canine overdose, even in small amounts.
You should never give your dog Tylenol without first consulting a vet, who will most likely suggest a safer alternative. Doing this will ensure that you avoid unwanted side effects and that your dog receives the best possible treatment or end-of-life care.
Is It Legal To Euthanize Your Dog By Yourself?
Many states in the United States Of America make it illegal for people to euthanize their pets at home without the presence of a certified practitioner. In the rest of the world, laws related to at-home euthanasia vary from country to country. Always consult your nearest vet to ensure you are euthanizing your pet in the most humane, legal, and appropriate manner possible.
Some vet offices also offer in-home euthanasia services to make your pet’s last moments as comfortable as possible. Doing this also allows pet owners to maximize time with their pets in a safe, homey environment before saying goodbye.
Why Do Pet Owners Prefer In-Home Euthanasia?
Using veterinary services for euthanasia can cost anywhere between $300-$500, which is expensive for many pet owners. In addition, many dogs suffering from anxiety can have a poor experience in a stressful environment at the veterinary clinic. This naturally pushes pet owners to look for cheaper, more comfortable options.
Many pet parents want to make the last moments of their pet’s life as comfortable as possible. Spending time with them and offering physical and emotional comfort is critical so they can be at peace before they pass away.
Can You Euthanize Your Dog At Home Using Tylenol PM?
So, can you euthanize your dog at home using Tylenol PM?
While it is possible to give a lethal dose of Tylenol PM to your dog, doing this does not qualify as euthanasia, as it is an inhumane way to end your dog’s life. The idea of euthanasia is to prevent more pain and suffering for old and sick dogs who can no longer enjoy the same quality of life as they once used to.
Tylenol only adds to a dog’s pain and suffering and can cause various symptoms such as the following:
- Lack of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Liver Failure
- Jaundice
- Black stool
- Heavy breathing
- Bloody diarrhea
- Blood in vomit
- Bruising
- Coma
- Death
You should also look for these symptoms in case of accidental consumption. Noticing the signs as early as possible can help save your dog’s life.
How Much Tylenol Can Be Fatal For Dogs?
How much Tylenol PM to euthanize a dog depends largely on the size of your dog. A toxic dose is around 200mg/kg or 100mg/lb. So, if your dog weighs 100 lbs, a fatal dose is 10 grams. Remember that euthanizing your dog at home using Tylenol PM is inhumane and will cause immense pain and agonizing symptoms for your dog.
Is There A Euthanasia Pill You Can Give Your Dog?
There is no safe euthanasia pill that can instantly euthanize your dog, especially since oral medication takes much longer for the body to digest and process than an IV injection. Some people debate the use of Benadryl, which is a type of antihistamine.
Benadryl is also an ineffective way of euthanizing your dog, as it has painful side effects of its own that last 12 hours or more, depending on the size of your dog. There are no over-the-counter drugs that can effectively be used to put down your dog quickly. All such options are meant for treatment only, not euthanasia, which is why they are often painful and slow.
What Is The Proper Way Of Euthanizing Your Dog?
The most appropriate and quickest method of euthanasia is through a certified vet. Vets often make use of a drug called Pentobarbital, a seizure-causing drug. Pentobarbital is given via an IV, which works within a few minutes as it delivers the drug to the heart directly through the bloodstream. Most veterinarians recommend this method as it is often painless and fast.
Using a vet, however, is more expensive and may only be an affordable option for some. In this case, you may seek out cheaper alternatives.
What Are Some Cheaper Methods Of Euthanasia?
It can be uncomfortable and even inhumane to euthanize your dog at home using Tylenol PM. If you can not afford euthanasia directly through your vet’s office, there are other options you can consider.
Find a Less Expensive Vet Clinic
Some vet clinics are aware of the expensive nature of general euthanasia services and may offer cheaper options affordable to a wider range of pet owners. Such clinics are hard to find, especially in remote or rural areas. But they are still a suitable option if you can find one.
Ask For Assistance At Animal Shelters
If you adopted your dog at a shelter, they might offer assistance with euthanasia. Some well-funded shelters offer free euthanasia services for pet owners that need them and can not afford the expense on their own.
These shelters may also be able to assist you in getting help by directing you to animal welfare societies, nonprofit organizations, or affiliated vet clinics that may be able to offer you cheaper rates.
Reach Out To Nonprofits And Animal Welfare Societies
Many local nonprofit organizations and welfare societies are working day and night for the betterment of animals. They can significantly help dog owners looking to euthanize their dogs. Humane societies can provide you with valuable information regarding paying for euthanasia services. They can also share important resources that may help.
These organizations can also put your name on donation lists which may assist you in gathering the funds you need to euthanize your dog.
Can You Give Tylenol To Your Dog For Pain Relief?
While it is technically possible for vets to prescribe tiny amounts of Tylenol to your dog for pain relief, most vets will prescribe a safer alternative that does not have fatal health risks.
Tylenol can have severe side effects for dogs, as discussed above. Additionally, many pain relievers that humans use, like Aspirin, are lethal to dogs. Safer alternatives for pain relief recommended by vets include the following:
- Carprofen (Rimadyl, Quellin)
- Grapiprant (Galliprant)
- Meloxicam (Metacam, Meloxidyl)
- Etodolac
- Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- Firocoxib (Previcox)
These drugs pose little to no risk to your dog. Still, it would be best to use them only after consulting a vet. One non-medicinal option for doggy pain relief is using ice or heat pads. But a visit to the vet is your best option to prevent any further complications for your dog.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Accidentally Eats Tylenol?
If your dog accidentally ingests Tylenol PM, immediately contact a poison control helpline and take your dog to the vet. Emergency clinics can run blood tests to gauge the extent of the damage and carry out procedures to stabilize your dog. Remember that how much Tylenol PM to euthanize a dog depends on your dog, so your pup’s reaction may be unique to him.
As there is no cure for Acetaminophen digestion, emergency staff will give your dog drugs, usually in the form of IV injections, to reduce their body’s absorption of Tylenol. Staff may also administer liver protection drugs and anti-oxidants to ensure the safety of the liver.
In a worst-case scenario, your dog will experience excessive blood loss and may require blood transfusions with constant monitoring of oxygen levels. No matter what happens, you will probably have to take your dog to the vet for regular monitoring of its liver health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t Euthanize Your Dog At Home Using Tylenol PM
How much Tylenol PM to euthanize a dog? Well, Tylenol PM may be lethal to your dog, but it is not an appropriate method of euthanasia. It causes painful symptoms like bloody diarrhea, muddy gums, jaundice, and liver failure. While many think it’s a quick and easy method, veterinarians have shown this to be false time and time again.
We all want what the best for our dogs, and that’s why we must choose the better option, which is a proper euthanasia service by a vet. Even if it means spending more money, this will give your dog a safe and comfortable death that is free from pain and suffering.
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For more information on this topic, you can watch “What to Expect When Putting Your Pet to Sleep | Euthanasia” down below:
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.