Human medicines you should never give without a vet
| Medicine | Why it is dangerous |
|---|---|
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) | Stomach ulcers and kidney failure in dogs; even more toxic to cats |
| Naproxen (Aleve) | Long-acting in dogs; ulcers and kidney damage from small doses |
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Liver and red blood cell damage in dogs; can kill a cat |
| Aspirin | Ulcers and bleeding; dangerous with prescription pet NSAIDs; toxic to cats |
| Loperamide (Imodium) | Dangerous for MDR1 breeds (collies, Aussies, shelties); can worsen infections |
| Decongestants ("-D" allergy medicines) | Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine cause racing heart and seizures |
| Products with xylitol | Some gummies, liquids and sugar-free medicines; deadly to dogs |
Medicines vets sometimes recommend for home use include diphenhydramine (see our Benadryl dosage calculator), cetirizine and famotidine, but only at a dose your vet confirms for your pet.
Also see
- Dog vomit color guide · Why is my cat throwing up?
- Dog poop color chart
- My dog ate something: what to do