According to the ASPCA, cold and flu medication for people could be fatal to your pet. Over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical products, used to ease symptoms of winter-time and other ailments in humans, contain ingredients that are deadly to dogs, cats, and other pets. Animals that ingest these products often require immediate medical attention.
Which Medicines Can Hurt Pets?
Acetaminophen (found in in Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and vitamin D derivatives are a few of the active ingredients to watch for, but these pet-deadly substances aren’t limited to cold and flu medication.
Many cold medicines have Pseudoephedrine which is a decongestant compound found in a wide range of cold and sinus medications.
Pseudoephedrine possesses stimulant qualities. It can cause a rise in blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature for your dog or cat. You may notice your pet becomes hyper or nervous and, in some cases, it can cause seizures. Just 30 mg of pseudoephedrine in a small dog or a cat can be a fatal dose.
The Symptoms In Pets
Pets that eat these substances display a variety of symptoms, including discolored gums, swollen face or paws, seizures, racing heart, and more. Some telltale signs are immediate, others can take more than 24 hours to appear.
Additionally, check out the top 10 deadliest human medications named by the ASPCA and our article on winter-care facts and myths.
Do you keep your medications where your pets can’t reach? What other substances should pet owners also keep away from animals? Let us know in the comments below!
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