Human Drugs Dangerous To Your Pet

[rdd1952]

I saw the thread about cats and plants and it jogged my memory about something I learned about a year ago. Most people know not to give chocolate to dogs because it is toxic but did you know that common medications that we take everyday can cause major problems in our pets? Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for instance, is toxic to cats, and ibuprofen (Advil) can cause kidney failure in dogs. Any of them, also including aspirin and naproxen (Aleve), can cause some problems so it is very important to keep them where animals can't get to them. They can cause ulcers, internal bleeding, cancer (I know everything does) among other problems. Their systems, cats in particular, simply can't process these drugs.

 

[tekknocolor]

Along those lines, here are some foods that are potentially poisonous to your pets (documented by ASPCA and the Humane Society - US):

Alcoholic beverages
Apple seeds
Apricot pits
Avocados—toxic to birds, mice, rabbits, horses, cattle, and dairy goats
Cherry pits
Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol)
Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
Hops (used in home beer brewing)
Macadamia nuts
Moldy foods
Mushroom plants
Mustard seeds
Onions and onion powder
Peach pits
Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
Raisins
Rhubarb leaves
Salt
Tea (caffeine)
Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
Walnuts
Yeast dough

Visit the following links if you have any questions concerning items harmful to your pets:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty - ASPCA
Humane Society - US
Humane Society - Canada
Humane Society - Asia
Dr. Fosters & Smith's Poison HotlinesAmerican Association of Poison Control Centers
Certified Poison Centers

 

[JackDemp528]

They're tons of thing out there that are poisionous to dogs and cats, and any other small critter. I've seen a lot of cases of dogs knocking tylenol or advil off the counter and eating them because of their sugary coating. They end up very very sick.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets, and any candy containing the sweetener Xylitol)

Really? One of our cats goes mad for chocolate He once at the last chunk of my giant toblerone.... And I was looking forward to that. Guess he must have an iron stomach.....

 

[rdd1952]

I think chocolate is much worse on dogs than cats. It's probably also kind of like anything else (even for us). If they somehow eat a Hershey's Kiss or 2 that isn't going to kill them but letting them have it on a regular basis is different.

 

[Puffer_freak]

Sorry to say this, but I'm just wondering if it's only me who thinks it's common sense not to let your pet take/eat human medication? Or is this just me who thinks it's common sense not to, simply because they are different creatures and have different genetics?

 

[rdd1952]

Sorry to say this, but I'm just wondering if it's only me who thinks it's common sense not to let your pet take/eat human medication? Or is this just me who thinks it's common sense not to, simply because they are different creatures and have different genetics?

Unfortunately, people give it to them. I'm sure they see their dog or cat hobbling around with a sore leg or something and just decide some Tylenol will ease the pain. Probably the bigger problem though is that they leave the cabinets where the animals can get to them.

 

[tekknocolor]

I wouldn't put anything past people.

 

[Angry_Platy]

We have spoken to our vet at much length about what our dog can and can't eat because, if allowed to, he would eat nothing but human food. Our biggest concern was onions and we would always pick it out of anything we would feed him. UNTIL the vet told us that dogs can handle onion in small quantities. Small meaning, a little in a stirfry would be fine etc. Just as long as they don't go eating massive quantities everyday they will be fine.

Garlic has also been touted as being toxic to dogs however the vet told us that if a small amount is added to their food each day it will help keep fleas at bay.

As for people giving their animals human medications, well thats just plain stupid!!!!

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

What about Advair? My little baby girl was having an ahsma attack(don't know how to spell it) And she couldn't breathe and she was starting to whine so we let her inhale a little and she stopped. Was that stupid? The only reason I did it is because I was afraid she was going to sufficate.

 

[smooth_bourbon]

A small amount of chocolate will not harm a large dog. The main worries in a medium to large dog with chocolate is they might eat enough to give themselfs diahrea. Smaller dogs however you do need to be a lot more carefull with.

Some medications are pet friendly. I know there are some allergy meds that are used on both humans and pets. Also Aspirin can be used with dogs. My dog has cannine hip displasia, and our vet told us for now the best thing is aspirin. Please don't take my word for it and give a teany tiny dog aspirin. My doggie weighs 80 pounds, and only gets one a day as needed.

Having a pet is just like having a child. You have to baby proof your house. They simply dont know that some things shouldnt be eaten. My first dog got a box of slug bait off our picnic table, by the time we realised she had gotten into it she was having seizures. It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen. Luckily we got her to the vet in time and after some stomach pumping and lots of fluids she was ok.

 

[kimbowee]

My dog also has a form of dysplasia called chondrodysplasia. Basically his front legs are shorter than his rear legs. When sitting for too long his front legs begin to wobble. Our vet has also recommended Aspirin therapy as he gets older. He said it is safer than NSAID's which include Ibuprofen and Rimadyl for dogs.

As for chocolate, let me tell you from experience that large amounts of it can kill even a large dog. One Christmas I had made about 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies we were going to take to a party later in the day. My daughter was about 3 at the time and was upset that I told her she couldn't have any until later. When I was taking a shower she decided that she would get her cookie anyway. She took the container into the living room where she and my Great Dane polished off all 4 dozen cookies. She probably ate about 3, he ate the other 45.

When I realized what had happened we rushed to the vet for stomach pumping and charcoal treatments. It had been about 20-25 minutes after he ate the cookies. He had started having convulsions on the way to the vet and his tongue and gums were turning blue from lack of oxygen. If I would not have found out about it when I did he would not have made it. Luckily he made it through without any long term damage to his kidneys or liver. He did have to stay at the vet for almost a week until his enzyme levels returned to normal.

 

[smooth_bourbon]

Oh wow I am really glad you found him in time.

 

[Puffer_freak]

What about Advair? My little baby girl was having an ahsma attack(don't know how to spell it) And she couldn't breathe and she was starting to whine so we let her inhale a little and she stopped. Was that stupid? The only reason I did it is because I was afraid she was going to sufficate.

No, that wasn't stupid, because it was an act of desperation. I'm talking about just general mediation.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

Ok good, I didn't know if that was a bad Idea or not, I love my baby, and I don't know what I'd do if something bad happened to her.