Can Dogs Consume Human Medication: Our Guide to Your Furry Buddy’s Health

Paw-parents know the aches and pains of caring for a sick pet. When your canine buddies aren’t as hyper as usual, it’s tempting to bring their bounce and health back up by giving them the usual medications people take to treat our own symptoms. After all, letting your dog pop a pill is an easier, faster, and cheaper way to make them feel better compared to bringing them to a veterinary clinic. However, keep in mind that your pups have a different system compared to the human body, which means it’s imperative to consult their doctor before giving them any form of human medication. Not only can certain human medicine be dangerous to your pets, but giving the right medication with the wrong dosage can be just as deadly. Before anything else, it’s crucial to consider the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Why Should You Take the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Into Account? The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 was set in place to establish that it is required by the law that only a veterinary surgeon has the right and capability to diagnose, prescribe, or provide medical advice to pet owners regarding the health and treatment of animals, including your fur-baby. This regulates the proper treatment of animals, which is why it is illegal to take your pet’s health in your own hands and give medication without the approval and prescription of a vet. There are a few exceptions to the rule, which encompasses therapies like osteopathy, chiropractic therapy, physiotherapy, and massage therapy. Keep in mind while it does not need a prescription, these different forms of therapy must still be under the supervision of a vet. What to Consider When Providing Human Medication to Your Dogs It’s easy to think that Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen, both of which are common medicines, are safe to use for your pets. However, it is one of the most toxic forms of drugs as even the lowest possible dosage can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric ulceration, and kidney failure to your furry friend. Paracetamol, on the other hand, can lead to breathing problems, swelling on the feet or face, and progressive damage to the liver. Most over-the-counter (OTC) medication for cold and cough are also not safe for dogs, but there are some exceptions like Robitussin DM. As for gastrointestinal medications, there some that are considered relatively safe for dogs, such as Pepto-Bismol. You can judge the dosage by using 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of weight, but it’s always best to consult with your vet. There are also other safe medications for dogs, such as the following: Dramamine (12.5 milligrams for small dogs, 25 milligrams for medium dogs, and 50 milligrams for large dogs); Pepcid-AC, Tagamet, and Zantac (¼ tablet for dogs less than 20 lbs, ½ tablet for dogs between 20 to 60 lbs, 1 whole tablet for dogs over 60 lbs); Antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec (1 milligram for every pound); The Bottom Line: Keeping Your Sick Pets in Mind by Understanding Which Medicines are Safe For Them It’s difficult to see your dogs struggling to fight off illness - be it the common cold, flu, stomach ache, or allergy. While it’s tempting to give human medication to help relieve their symptoms faster, the guide above should help you understand that providing your own medication without the approval and guidance of a veterinarian can do more harm than good to your canine buddies. If you’re looking for reliable pet industry news in the UK, visit our website today! We offer a mix of trends, advice, along with professional tips-and-tricks that can help you provide the best care for your furry friends.