Cat & Dog Flu Medication Side Effects: What to Know

Just like humans, cats and dogs can exhibit cold symptoms throughout the year. Many pet owners mistakenly believe that catching a cold is a minor issue that doesn't warrant a trip to the vet, so they often administer overthecounter human cold medications to their pets without consulting a professional. However, this can be quite dangerous for our furry friends, as these medications can be toxic in the wrong doses.

Why Can't Cats and Dogs Take Human Cold Medications?

Cats and dogs have different physiological structures and metabolic processes compared to humans, which means they may not be able to metabolize certain ingredients in human cold medications, leading to adverse reactions and even poisoning.

Firstly, some human cold remedies contain pseudoephedrine, which can affect a dog or cat's central nervous system. Even a slightly higher dose can trigger side effects such as hyperactivity, shortness of breath, depression, fever, and dilated pupils within the first halfhour after ingestion.

Secondly, many cold and fever medications, especially Western drugs, often contain acetaminophen, which is particularly harmful to cats. Consumption of this ingredient can lead to hemolytic anemia and liver failure, causing symptoms like difficulty breathing, drooling, hematuria, listlessness, drowsiness, and jaundice. Just 50mg of acetaminophen per kilogram of a cat can cause poisoning, and even smaller amounts can damage the liver.

Lastly, many human cold medications contain caffeine, which cats and dogs cannot metabolize. Ingesting such drugs can lead to symptoms like restlessness, tremors, seizures, and tachycardia, and in severe cases, it can even cause heart failure and death.

What Cold Medications Are Safe for Cats and Dogs?

In cases where a cat or dog has mild cold symptoms and you can't find petspecific cold remedies, you might consider some traditional Chinese medicine options, such as Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Banlangen Granules, or Jingdu Nianjin. However, these remedies take longer to take effect, so it's still advisable to have petspecific cold, antiinflammatory, and cough medications on hand at home.

→ Here is a list of human cold medications that should never be given to cats and dogs:

Newcontec Compound Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride SustainedRelease Capsules: Each capsule contains 90mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

Tylenol Cold and Flu Tablets: Each tablet contains 325mg of acetaminophen and 30mg of pseudoephedrine.

999 Cold Remedy: Each packet contains 0.2 grams of acetaminophen.

Compeed: Each tablet contains 100mg of acetaminophen.

Exclamation: Each tablet contains 250mg of acetaminophen.

Senkang: Each tablet contains 250mg of acetaminophen and 15mg of caffeine.

Black and White: Each tablet contains 325mg of acetaminophen and 30mg of pseudoephedrine.

Day and Night Panadol: Each tablet contains 500mg of acetaminophen and 30mg of pseudoephedrine.

Paracetamol and Caffeine Tablets: Each tablet contains 40mg of caffeine.

Lastly, it's important to note that a cat or dog's cold may not always be due to catching a chill or a weakened immune system. It could also be related to viral infections, such as canine distemper, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus. If your pet's cold symptoms are severe, it's best to seek veterinary care promptly. A proper diagnosis will ensure that the right treatment is administered, preventing any further complications.