You feel concerned if your pet is anything other than healthy and happy. However, life is unpredictable, and many items in your home can harm your pet, including human medications. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications cause innumerable pet poisonings each year. Sometimes, a curious pet finds a randomly dropped pill, or a pet owner gives them a medication, such as a pain reliever, unaware of the risks. No matter the reason your pet has ingested a human medication, our Animal Care & Emergency Services team wants you to understand how common drugs can lead to pet toxicity.

Common medications that are toxic to pets

As you rifle through your medicine cabinet to find a pain reliever or other medication, consider the myriad medications you have on hand. Are they harmful to your pet? Check out some of the everyday medications that, if your dog or cat ingests them, are hazardous to your four-legged friend’s health: 

  • Acetaminophen Acetaminophen, often referred to by the brand name Tylenol, can relieve your aches and pains, but the drug can be highly toxic to your furry friend. If your pet, especially a cat, ingests even a small dose, they can experience severe liver damage, as well as respiratory distress and, in extreme cases, death. Acetaminophen toxicity signs include vomiting, lethargy or depression, dark-colored urine, and difficulty breathing. 
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Other common human pain relievers are NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen, such as Advil and Motrin, and naproxen such as Aleve. Dogs are susceptible to these anti-inflammatory drugs, but adverse reactions can also occur in cats. NSAID toxicity signs include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal sensitivity or pain, decreased appetite, and lethargy. 
  • Antidepressants Many people take antidepressants to relieve depression and anxiety, which is why they are another frequent pet toxicity cause. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are common antidepressants that can cause agitation, tremors, seizures, and elevated heart rate and body temperature fluctuations when ingested by pets. 
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) medications These drugs are classified as stimulants. Brand names for these medications are Ritalin and Adderall, but many generics are available for these medicines. If your pet ingests an ADHD or ADD drug, they may have an elevated heart rate and body temperature, tremors, and seizures. 
  • Cold and flu medications The toxic ingredients in these medications are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. If your pet ingests a cold or flu medication, they experience elevated heart rate and blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and, sometimes, death. If your pet is sniffly or under the weather, never reach for your favorite OTC product. Always consult our Animal Care & Emergency Services team. 
  • Marijuana — Since restrictions have eased on marijuana use, more pets have been exposed. Pets can be affected by eating edibles, such as gummies or baked goods, or by inhaling secondhand smoke. Pets have more cannabinoid receptors in their brain, which makes them more susceptible to toxicity. Signs include incoordination, sleepiness or hyperactivity, dilated pupils, excessive drooling, vomiting, urine leakage, and in severe cases, seizures. 

Medication safety for pets

Prevention is the best defense to protect your pet from accidentally ingesting a human medication that can poison them. To keep your pet safe when you have medications in your home, follow these tips:

  • Throw away expired medications by taking them to your pharmacy or a drug exchange program. 
  • Lock medications in a cupboard or lockbox. 
  • Separate your pet’s medications from your own to avoid accidental switch-ups.
  • Take your medications in a well-lit room where you can easily find dropped pills or capsules. 
  • Use daily medication containers to keep your drugs organized and easily distinguished from those of your pet. 
  • Do not keep your medications on a bedside table or another pet-accessible area.
  • Keep purses and bags on hooks or in the closet if you carry your medications in them.

While certain medications can provide you relief, they can spell disaster for your pet if you don’t take the necessary precautions. If you suspect your pet has ingested any medication meant for humans, contact our Animal Care & Emergency Services team for immediate assistance. Through medication toxicity awareness, you can keep your pet safe from harm.