Dog-Safe Medications: What to Avoid

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that each year, 50% of emergency calls involve dogs accidentally ingesting medications. This includes both prescription and overthecounter drugs, all of which can potentially poison a dog. Therefore, it's crucial to store all medications out of reach of your furry friend.

For the sake of both you and your dog, be sure to keep medications containing the following ingredients safely stored:

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs)

While the term "NSAID" might sound unfamiliar, you've likely heard of medications like aspirin, indomethacin, naproxen, naproxen sodium, diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide, rofecoxib, and celecoxib. Many other antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, pain relievers, fever reducers, and anticoagulants also contain this ingredient.

When dogs ingest these medications, their gastrointestinal function can be severely damaged, leading to intestinal ulcers and kidney failure.

Acetaminophen

Also known as Tylenol, Panadol, Paracetamol, and Acetaminophen, this drug is quite similar to aspirin, though it has slightly weaker antiinflammatory properties. It can be thought of as a less potent version of aspirin.

Acetaminophen can damage a dog's liver and destroy red blood cells, affecting the efficiency of oxygen transport in the blood.

Antidepressants

As depression becomes more prevalent, you may know someone who struggles with it. medications like venlafaxine and nefazodone are common antidepressants. Some antidepressants also have stimulant effects, raising blood pressure and body temperature.

One particular antidepressant, called Effexor, is particularly appealing to cats due to its scent, but both cats and dogs can suffer from poisoning if they ingest even a single pill of this type.

ADD Medications (Attention Deficit Disorder)

Medications used to treat ADD often contain amphetamines and methylphenidate.

Amphetamines and methylphenidate are central nervous system stimulants, and while they are used in the treatment of various respiratory failures, they can naturally stimulate dogs, leading to seizures, elevated body temperature, and heart problems.

Antianxiety Medications

These drugs can effectively alleviate anxiety and aid in sleep, and anxiety disorders are increasingly common today.

However, if a dog ingests these medications, the opposite effect may occur, causing excitement, restlessness, and coordination issues, as well as drowsiness and respiratory failure. Cats may suffer from liver failure if they ingest these drugs.

Contraceptives

The purpose of these medications is selfexplanatory, but it's important to note that while small doses may not cause significant issues for dogs, depending on their size and age, large doses can suppress bone marrow function and lead to estrogen toxicity.

Antihypertensive Medications

Most veterinary antihypertensive medications are similar to those used in humans. Small doses are generally not a concern, and you can simply observe your pet at home. If your dog has kidney failure or heart disease, immediately take the medication packaging and rush to the veterinary hospital.

However, some antihypertensive medications contain a component called a betablocker, and even small doses can cause severe poisoning, leading to low blood pressure and a slow heart rate.

Thyroid Hormones

If you follow pet health articles, you're likely aware that dogs can also suffer from hypothyroidism.

Interestingly, the dosage of thyroid medication needed to treat dogs is much higher than for humans, so if they accidentally ingest a large amount, they may experience abnormal reactions such as muscle tremors, increased respiratory rate, elevated heart rate, restlessness, and aggression.

CholesterolLowering Drugs

This is one of the most common medications, much like aspirin.

Small doses of these drugs may only cause diarrhea and vomiting, and they are not a significant concern when ingested in a single dose. However, longterm ingestion can lead to abnormal symptoms.

So, the question arises:

How can you properly store these medications?

Avoid using bags

Prescription medications are often dispensed in small bags due to strict dosage control, rather than in boxes.

These bags are essentially as secure as paper to a dog's teeth, so don't store them in plastic bags.

Avoid placing them on high shelves

While locking medications in a high cabinet may seem like the safest option, if you simply want to keep them out of your dog's reach, high shelves are not the best choice. You never know how your dog might play when you're not home, and a simple knock could cause the medications to fall.

Avoid mixing them together

It's not uncommon for pet owners in the United States to mistakenly give their dogs human medications instead of dog medications every day.

Keep your dog's medications separate from human medications, and the further apart, the better. After all, who hasn't searched for their phone while using their phone?

In a nutshell:

The risks associated with dogs ingesting medications are twofold: first, the drug's volatility within the dog's body, and second, the difference in metabolism between dogs and humans. Therefore, treatment requires highly specialized knowledge, and rushing to the hospital as soon as possible is the correct choice.