Can my pet take human medications?

The most accurate answer is fairly straightforward; do not administer any human medications without having your veterinarian clear them for use, first for a specific pet and next with specific directions. Let's use some examples to extrapolate this concept into action.

Human medications types and doses are different from dog’s dosages and medications. Keeping in mind also that cat’s dosages and cat’s medications are different as well and so on with all of the different species. In veterinary medicine one has to consider species differences first before going on to size differences for dosages.

It is noteworthy, when receiving a prescription from a pharmacist the pharmacist checks all prescribed medications with any medication that one is currently on, hence the veterinarian would also need to do so as well for your pet. Certain drugs used together can cause dangerous interactions, so your veterinarian should review your dog’s medical record to prevent any predictable adverse events.

Many OTC medications are simply NOT safe for dogs and cats at all. Do not assume that drugs are safe for your dog just because they can be purchased without a prescription. That assumption can lead to toxicity and negative outcomes.

Benadryl

Let's use the common antihistamine, Benadryl, as an example. Many pet owners attempt to treat pet allergies with various types of antihistamines. This is an example of a common antihistamine product that may contain other unsafe ingredients, such as a decongestant or acetaminophen. If an antihistamine is indicated in a situation, check with your veterinary healthcare team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is suitable for your dog or cat and that you know the appropriate dose to administer. While decongestants can be harmful, acetaminophen is considered potentially fatal when used in cats.

Pepto Bismol

Here is an example utilizing the common Pepto Bismol, (bismuth subsalicylate) that is commonly kept in medicine cabinets for digestive upset. One would caution an owner against using this medication at home as the salicylate that is generated in the gastrointestinal tract is absorbed and increases the risk of bleeding. Cats often cannot tolerate salicylates at all and potentially should not be given. This product is also radiopaque and interferes with radiographs that are taken of the abdomen after ingestion, potentially causing a false diagnosis of a foreign object. 

Pepcid AC

This medication is commonly used to treat or prevent heartburn in people. In dogs it can reduce gastric acid but can also be dangerous in a patient with kidney or liver disease. Avoid giving this medication unless it is instructed to do so by your veterinarian and is accompanied by appropriate lab work.

Neosporin

Most topical products are ineffective on dogs as they have a tendency to lick them off quite quickly. Additionally, some of the available topicals may inhibit healing. There are benefits in the right situation, but your veterinarian would be best to advise on this product, most often an alternative medication will work significantly better.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide applied to wounds can delay or inhibit healing. Using this product to make a pet vomit can result in aspiration pneumonia and/or gastric and esophageal ulcers. 

Artificial tears

This medication may appear harmless but the risk lies in the delay of treatment that would come from a veterinarian visit and consultation. The eye, specifically the cornea is extremely sensitive and a scratch can result in vision loss if not treated in a timely fashion especially if the eye becomes infected and develops an aggressive ulcer. Also, any eye redness in a dog or cat can signify additional severe situations such as glaucoma, a condition that needs urgent medical treatment.