Can dogs take buprenorphine?

In this article:

• Buprenophine for dogs
• Safety
• Dosage
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Buprenophine for dogs
• Safety
• Dosage
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist and is used to treat pain. Brand names for buprenorphine include Buprenex, Simbadol, and Belbuca. Buprenorphine is FDA approved for use in humans and cats, but not dogs. However, veterinarians often prescribe it off-label for dogs. Buprenorphine for dogs is used primarily to treat pain after surgeries or to treat certain chronic conditions that cause pain. It can be given by injection in a veterinary clinic by a veterinarian, or it can be given by pet owners at home, usually in the form of an oral liquid solution.

 Here, learn everything you need to know about giving buprenorphine to your dog, including safety, dose, side effects, and how to effectively administer the medication at home.

What is buprenorphine used for in dogs? 

Buprenorphine is an analgesic that’s primarily used to treat and manage mild to moderate pain in dogs, says Sabrina Kong, DVM, a staff veterinarian at WeLoveDoodles. “As a partial opioid agonist, it binds strongly to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signals for 6–12 hours per dose,” Dr. Kong explains. It’s especially helpful for dogs with kidney disease since it’s metabolized by the liver and only minimally excreted through the kidneys. This makes it safer than NSAIDs for dogs with kidney disease, Dr. Kong adds.

Most of the time, buprenorphine is administered by injection at your veterinary clinic or at an animal hospital, Krista Hight, DVM, veterinarian at Central Maui Animal Clinic at Thrive Pet Healthcare, explains. It can also be administered orally at home, “but absorption is not as predictable in dogs and often has to be used at a higher dose for absorption to occur,” Dr. Hight notes.

In particular, buprenorphine is used to treat pain that happens after surgical procedures, such as after spays, orthopedic procedures, or dental extractions. In fact, it’s commonly given along with an anesthetic during surgery. At times, buprenorphine is used to treat chronic conditions in dogs, including osteoarthritis and cancer-related discomfort, Dr. Kong adds.

Is buprenorphine safe for dogs? 

Most veterinarians agree that buprenorphine is safe for dogs. “Buprenorphine is very safe for dogs,” Dr. Hight says. “Side effects are rare and usually consist of sedative effects.”

Unfortunately, there isn’t much data on the safety of buprenorphine in dogs, though many vets prescribe it confidently. One small study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics looked at the effects of buprenorphine in a sample of five dogs. None of the dogs experienced adverse effects.

Dr. Kong notes that buprenorphine is generally safe when dosed correctly and when given under the close supervision of a veterinarian. “But it carries critical contraindications,” she points out. “Avoid use in dogs with severe respiratory disease (e.g., advanced brachycephalic syndrome or pneumonia), as it can suppress respiratory drive.” It should also be avoided in dogs with liver dysfunction, since buprenorphine is metabolized in the liver, she adds.

Side effects of buprenorphine in dogs 

According to Dr. Kong, the most common buprenorphine side effects in dogs include:

• Sedation
• Gastrointestinal effects, like mild constipation
• Occasional nausea
• Appetite loss 

Less common side effects include:

• Panting
• Dilated pupils
• Behavioral changes, like restlessness or disorientation

They occur rarely, but serious side effects are possible. Respiratory depression, where your dog has trouble breathing or stops breathing at times, is the most serious side effect that can potentially impact dogs who take buprenorphine.

“Contact your vet immediately if you observe slowed breathing (<10 breaths/minute), severe lethargy, unresponsiveness, pale gums, or vomiting,” Dr. Kong advises. “These could indicate overdose or atypical reactions.”

If you notice mild constipation in your dog, you can manage it with extra hydration, but prolonged constipation should be reported to your vet to prevent obstructions, Dr. Kong says. 

Interactions of buprenorphine with other pet meds

Your vet may use caution when prescribing buprenorphine to your dog if they are taking certain medications. For example, buprenorphine can cause increased central nervous system depression when mixed with another sedative like trazodone, gabapentin, or benzodiazepines. You should also not combine it with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). 

Many dog owners wonder if they can give buprenorphine to their dog if they use CBD products. “Crucially, do not administer with CBD, which inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes and can elevate buprenorphine serum concentrations to toxic levels,” Dr. Kong warns. “Even ‘pet-safe’ CBD products risk this interaction, leading to overdose symptoms like respiratory arrest.”

Buprenorphine dosage for dogs

If you are looking for a buprenorphine for dogs dosage chart, there is no standard dose for dogs, because it is administered off-label. Usually, it’s determined on a case-by-case basis.

Wondering what dose of buprenorphine is best for your dog? According to Dr. Hight, for buprenorphine injections, the dose is usually between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg IV/SQ/IM. This is in line with recommendations in the Merck Manual for veterinarians. When given orally, it’s usually a higher dose, averaging 0.03 mg/kg or higher, Dr. Hight says.

There is no dog form of buprenorphine, but it’s important not to use buprenorphine prescribed to humans, as you need to administer the drug according to your veterinarian’s dosing prescription and instructions.

Can dogs overdose on buprenorphine?

You shouldn’t give a dog more than 0.02 mg/kg of injected buprenorphine or 0.04 mg/kg given orally every six to 12 hours, Dr. Kong says.

Yes, a dog can overdose on buprenorphine. “Overdose is possible if misdosed (e.g., human transdermal patches applied to dogs), causing severe respiratory depression, coma, or death,” Dr. Kong explains. “If overdose is suspected, seek ER care immediately; naloxone may reverse the effects.” 

Can I give my dog buprenorphine every day?

Most dogs don’t take buprenorphine on a daily basis, as it’s most often used after surgical procedures for a limited period. But when used for chronic pain, some dogs take buprenorphine daily. Close monitoring is required in those situations. “Daily long-term use is feasible for chronic pain but requires regular liver enzyme checks,” Dr. Kong says. Additionally, some dogs develop constipation if they take it daily, and require frequent stool softeners, Dr. Kong adds.

How to give your dog buprenorphine

Dr. Kong shared tips for giving your dog buprenorphine at home:

• Administer oral buprenorphine by squirting it into your dog’s cheek, not directly on their tongue; this ensures absorption.
• If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is due within two hours. Never double-dose.
• For difficult dogs, ask your vet about compounded flavored versions of buprenorphine.
• Always store buprenorphine securely away from pets or children to prevent accidental ingestion.

 If you are done giving your dog buprenorphine, you might want to know if you need to taper your dog’s doses before weaning. “Tapering isn’t usually required for short-term use but is recommended after prolonged administration (more than two weeks) to avoid withdrawal symptoms like agitation,” Dr. Kong says. In these cases, she suggests reducing the dose by 25% every three days.

Buprenorphine alternatives for dogs

There are several possible alternatives to buprenorphine that you may be able to use for your dog, Dr. Kong shares. These include:

• Tramadol is another pain reliever frequently used in dogs to treat chronic pain and arthritis. It’s less potent than buprenorphine, but it is effective for many dogs.
• Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that can be used for neuropathic pain and chronic pain in dogs.
• Librela injections are a non-opioid option for pain relief in dogs, and are especially helpful for osteoarthritis in dogs.

The bottom line

Buprenorphine is an effective analgesic and is a good option for dogs who are dealing with pain after surgeries or who have chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis. It comes in both injectable and oral formulations. Buprenorphine is used off-label for dogs, and you should only use this medication under the close supervision of your veterinarian.