Pet owners who are serious about pet-proofing their home should start with their own medicine cabinet. Nearly 50% of all calls received by Pet Poison Helpline involve human medications – both over-the-counter and prescription. Whether Fido accidentally chewed into a pill bottle or a well-intentioned pet owner accidentally switched medication (giving their pet a human medication), pet poisonings due to human medications are common and can be very serious.
It is also important to note that while a medication may be safe for children, it may not be safe for animals. In fact, nearly 50% of all pet poisonings involve human drugs. Pets metabolize medications very differently from people. Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications may cause serious poisoning in pets. If your pet has ingested a human over-the-counter or prescription medication, please call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline’s 24-hour animal poison control center at 855-764-7661 immediately.
Any Medication with Pseudoephedrine
Frequently used in cold medications, pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used commonly by humans. When ingested by dogs, however, pseudoephedrine can result in agitation, restlessness, tremors, hyperactivity, tachycardia, hyperthermia, high blood pressure, panting, dilated pupils, the inability of the blood to clot, the breakdown of muscle, and kidney damage.
10 Top Human Meds to Keep Away From Pets
This is a partial list of human medications that have a moderate to severe level of toxicity to pets, according to the APCC. If your pet ingests any of these medications, you should use the mindset that the medications are toxic to dogs and cats, and you should seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Medications with severe toxicity are life-threatening, so don’t take any chances by hesitating to get help.
1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) As mentioned, Tylenol can help relieve our headaches and lower fevers, but it can have severe side effects for your pet. If ingested by your dog or cat, Tylenol poisoning symptoms can include vomiting, chocolate-colored gums, trouble breathing, and liver failure.
2. Albuterol (Asthma Medication) Youre probably familiar with inhalers containing the medicine Albuterol if you or someone you know has asthma. Keep inhalers out of paw’s reach since this drug can cause rapid heart rate, agitation followed by lethargy, and weakness if ingested by your pet.
3. Aspirin Aspirin is categorized as having mild to moderate toxicity by the APCC, but it is worth mentioning since it is such a commonly used over-the-counter human med. It can cause vomiting, dark or bloody stool, lethargy, stomach ulcers, and liver failure in pets.
4. Benzalkonium Chloride You might not recognize the name of this substance, but it is commonly used as a preservative in eye drops. If your pet ingests it, they could suffer from increased salivation, vomiting, oral sores, and muscle weakness.
5. Dextroamphetamine Dextroamphetamine is a nervous system stimulant that is used in drugs like Adderall to treat ADHD. If you have Adderall in your house, be sure you store it safely away from your pet since it can result in hyperactivity, high heart rate, tremors, and seizures.
6. Fluoxetine This substance can be found in anti-depressant drugs, including Prozac and Sarafem. It can cause agitation, elevated heart rate, drunkenness, and tremors in pets.
7. Ibuprofen (Advil) Advil can harm your pet with serious symptoms, including vomiting, dark or bloody stool, lethargy, stomach ulcers, kidney failure, coma, and seizures.
8. Naproxen (Aleve) Naproxen, which can be found in brands like Aleve and Anaprox, helps reduce swelling and pain for people and can be useful for treating arthritis. However, it is severely toxic to pets and can lead to kidney failure. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and bloody stool.
9. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Those of us with colds or allergies might reach for the Sudafed to get some little relief from runny or stuffy noses. Unfortunately, if our pets ingest this drug, it can cause agitation, elevated heart rate, tremors, and seizures.
10. Warfarin (Coumadin) This is another drug that has severe toxicity to pets. It’s used to treat blood clots in people, but it can result in pale gums, internal bleeding, lethargy, panting, and weakness if swallowed by pets.
For an extensive list of pet toxins, especially for dogs, cats, horses, and birds, you can download the APCC’s free mobile app for your iPhone or Android. This app is a great resource because it will help you recognize when your pet has ingested something harmful, and it enables you to call the APCC’s pet poison hotline with a simple tap.
As a pet parent, you may be wondering, are essential oils toxic to pets? While not all essential oils are poisonous to dogs and cats, it’s important to still consult your veterinarian and do research on which oils are safe. Some oils to avoid are cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, tea tree, and wintergreen—not only can these oils be toxic if ingested, but they can also cause harm if they are spread on your pet’s skin.
As you can see from our list of common toxic medications, the symptoms of poisoning can vary depending on the drug ingested. The severity of the situation will also be affected by the size, age, and overall health of your pet. In some cases, your pet might only have minor symptoms, like an upset tummy. In others, poison ingestion can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a harmful substance, you should immediately call your veterinarian or the APCC at 1-888-426-4435. The APCC is staffed with trained experts who have handled over 2 million cases!
Please don’t try to treat your pet without professional medical advice.
You could get hurt or accidentally injure your pet by attempting to treat your pet without first seeking professional medical advice. You should also handle your pet carefully. Although it may not always occur, even the sweetest pet can scratch or bite when they’re upset or in pain. In addition, do your best to remain calm, so you can think clearly and focus on getting help for your pet.
7 OTC Human Medications Safe and Effective for Dogs
If your dog or cat gets into the medications you have in your house, it could lead to deadly consequences. But there are things you can do to help protect your pet, such as knowing the signs and what to do in case of a poison emergency.
Year after year, human medications have topped the list of toxins most commonly ingested by pets, according to the ASPCA® Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). Interestingly, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including herbal and other natural supplements, moved ahead of prescription medications to take the top spot for the first time in 2015. Here are more facts on human meds* from the APCC: