Are You Giving Your Pet Unsafe Medications? What to Watch For

When your furry family member isn't feeling well, it can be tempting to reach for your own medicine cabinet for a fix. Maybe you have over-the-counter (OTC) pet meds, or maybe you have some human medications you think you can use for your pet.

But giving your pet medications without carefully researching and thinking it through can be risky.

The team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates has tips to keep in mind when it comes to pet medication safety.

The Hidden Dangers of Human Medications

Before you give your pet any human medications, stop and call your veterinarian. Plenty of well-meaning pet parents give their pets harmful pet medications without realizing it. They assume that if something is safe for humans, it's safe for dogs and cats, too. We're all mammals, after all...right?

But just because dogs and cats are mammals does not mean they can take human medications. Things like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause serious illness and could be fatal—even in small doses.

So, focus on OTC meds for dogs and cats instead.

But even with these, be careful.

Common Medication Mistakes Pet Owners Make

One of the most common pet medication mistakes is using the wrong dosage or assuming OTC meds for cats work for dogs too, and vice versa.

The reality is that dogs and cats metabolize drugs differently. If you give the wrong medication or the wrong dose of a medication, it can lead to liver failure or other major complications.

Other risky habits include:

• Using medications past their expiration date
• Sharing prescriptions between pets—even if they’re the same species
• Using guesswork and Google instead of getting a diagnosis from a veterinarian

While they seem like a quick solution to a health problem, these practices can do more harm than good.

Why Vet-Approved Medications Matter

So, how can you make sure you're doing the right thing?

Always choose vet-approved pet medications. Veterinarians have dedicated their lives to understanding how canine and feline bodies work. They have extensive medical training. They know their stuff.

Using their medical skills and knowledge of your pet's species, breed, and health background, they can recommend safe, effective medications and the proper dosages for each pet.

So before you give your pet anything new—even a new supplement or herbal remedy—talk to your veterinarian.

Your pet will thank you, even if you have to wait for a vet visit to help treat an ache or pain. In the long term, being careful and avoiding pet health risks that come with unapproved meds is worth it.

If your pet is in pain, reach out to our team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates. We're open every weekday for your convenience. Call us today at (248) 646-5655 to schedule an appointment!