Most of the time we think of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as a harmless (and often helpful!) little pill, but did you realize that it could make your pets very sick?  Ibuprofen is the most common medication ingested by pets and can cause stomach and kidney issues. And one Tylenol can kill a cat.

Dogs and cats are not little humans so their bodies do not metabolize medications in the sameway as ours do. Even the most innocuous-seemingdrugs can be harmful and even fatal for them.  Follow these do’s and don’ts to keep your pets safe from poisoning:

  • DON’T give your pet medications that have not been prescribed to them or approved by your veterinarian.  This includes even natural supplements that can have different effects on different species.
  • DO notify your vet or call animal poison control if your pet has accidentally ingested a human medication or ingested more of its own medication than prescribed.
  • DON’T “wait and see” if you think your pet may have been exposed to a human medication.  Acting quickly may save his or her life.
  • DO keep medications out of the reach of curious pets, ideally behind doors in a cabinet or closet.
  • DO make sure guests in your home store their medications in a safe place as well.  Don’t forget about purses!
  • DON’T place medications on the counter or in the garbage where pets might have access to them.
  • DO make every effort to find any medication that has been dropped on the floor immediately, before your pet.
  • DON’T store your pet’s medication near your own to avoid mix-ups.
  • DON’T give any of your medications to your pet unless specifically instructed to by a veterinarian.
  • DO keep the number for an animal poison control service handy, such as ASPCA’s Pet Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
  • DO give your pet’s age and approximate weight when you call, the symptoms they are experiencing and any information about what they might have ingested.

You might not think that pills would appeal to a pet, but they watch what their humans eat. And medications for pets are often flavored which makes your pet think of pills as treats.  Be extra diligent with your pills to make sure that your pet stays safe.