You do everything you can to keep your pet safe and healthy, but many dangerous items lurk in your home. We’ll give you a hint: You reach for these when you have a headache or a cold, but sometimes these toxins look and sound like a treat to your furry friend. Yes, medications are great for alleviating discomfort and treating ailments, but human medications can be unsafe—and in some cases, fatal—if your pet ingests them. Our Stanton Pet Hospital team describes medications that are harmful to pets and how to protect your furry friend. 

Over-the-counter medications that are dangerous for pets

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those that can be purchased without a prescription. They are often used for ailments such as headaches, joint pain, stomach upset, allergies, and colds. Well-meaning pet owners sometimes give their furry pals these medications when they are not feeling well, unintentionally poisoning them. Ingestion may be accidental in other cases. OTC medications that are dangerous to pets include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) —NSAIDs include pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). While NSAIDs are used in veterinary medicine, NSAIDs intended for people are not formulated for dogs and cats and have a high toxicity incidence in pets. The sweet coating on many products makes these drugs attractive to pets, and when ingested, NSAIDs can damage a pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) lining or cause kidney or liver failure.
  • Acetaminophen — Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a popular pain reliever for people, but acetaminophen damages cats’ red blood cells, impairing the cell’s ability to carry oxygen. Liver damage may result in dogs, along with the same red blood cell damage seen in cats.
  • Decongestants — Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine have stimulant-like effects, and can be harmful or deadly to pets. If ingested, these ingredients can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate, seizures, and respiratory and cardiac failure in pets.

Prescription medications that are dangerous for pets 

Medications prescribed for people pose serious health risks for pets. People’s prescription medications that are dangerous to pets include:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD) medications — These stimulants may improve people’s focus, but pets are extremely sensitive to ADHD and ADD medications. Even if your furry pal ingests a small amount, they can experience tremors, seizures, and a dangerously elevated heart rate and body temperature.
  • Antidepressants — Several antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, are prescribed for humans, but if your pet ingests them, they can develop serious health complications. Signs depend on the specific medication your pet ingests but may include lethargy, agitation, increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, and seizures.
  • Blood pressure medications — Blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta blockers, can cause weakness, stumbling, and dangerously low blood pressure in pets. 
  • Sleep aids — Anti-anxiety and sleep assistance medications can cause signs such as agitation, severe lethargy, and incoordination. Some pets may experience liver failure. 

How to protect your pet from medication ingestion 

Fortunately, medication toxicity in pets is preventable. By recognizing potential hazards, you can minimize or eliminate your pet’s exposure risks. To keep your pet safe, follow these tips:

  • Store medication out of your pet’s reach — Keep your medication in cabinets with pet-proof latches or on high shelves that pets cannot access. Avoid leaving medications on countertops, tables, nightstands, or other surfaces where pets can easily reach them. 
  • Don’t share medication with pets — Because overdoses can be lethal for pets, never give your furry pal your medication without your veterinarian’s instructions. Also, never give one pet a medication your veterinarian has prescribed for another pet.
  • Close containers properly — Ensure that medication containers are tightly closed after each use. Some pets, especially cats, are curious and may try to open containers if they are not properly sealed.
  • Dispose of medications properly — Dispose of expired or unused medications promptly and safely, and do not flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash where pets can access them. Bring them to a nearby pharmacy that is a drug take back location.
  • Educate your visitors — Ensure that family members and visitors are aware that human medications are dangerous to pets, and remind them to keep medications safely stored. 

By recognizing the dangers of human medication for pets and taking precautions to keep them out of your pet’s reach, you can keep your furry pal safe from harm. If you suspect your pet has ingested any medication meant for humans, contact our team at Stanton Pet Hospital immediately for guidance.