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Going to the vet is expensive, and while we want the best for our pets, we can’t always take them for a checkup. This may lead you to wonder if human medicines or supplements are safe for pets to ingest. The answer to that question is complicated, so read on to learn more.
Always Contact Your Vet Before Administering Medication
Before you read this article, it’s important to note that you should never give your dog human or dog-friendly medication without receiving direction from a veterinarian first. It’s also wrong to assume that any medication is safe for dogs, even if it contains dog-safe ingredients.
For example, Honest Paws dog-friendly CBD oil is completely safe for dogs to ingest, but your dog may need a different amount depending on their size. It’s also ideal to start slow for any medication, as your dog may be allergic to the supplements and could have a bad reaction.
What Over-the-Counter Human Medication is Safe for Dogs?
Image Source: Unsplash
While the following advice can help you stay away from dangerous medication, it shouldn’t be used as canine health advice. Speak to your local vet before giving your pup meds or vitamins.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Pain Medication to Dogs?
Out of all the over-the-counter human medications given to dogs, pain meds are among the most common and the most dangerous. For this reason, you should never give your pet:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Causes liver damage and damages blood circulation.
- NSAIDS (Advil): Causes stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and seizures.
It’s best to avoid this category if your pup is in pain. Instead, go to the vet and get a dog and FDA-approved NSAIDS, like carprofen, deracoxib, and meloxicam. You can also pick up dog-friendly gabapentin, CBD oil, and opioids from your vet to help with chronic pain.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Allergy Medication to Dogs?
Benadryl (as long as it doesn’t contain Tylenol), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) is generally well tolerated in dogs if they don’t have kidney or liver issues or are pregnant. However, they can cause hypersalivation, vomiting, and sedation in dogs if they take too much.
There is no safe human medicine that prevents vomiting or nausea, so if your dog’s allergy symptoms are causing these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Topical Medication to Dogs?
Neosporin is safe to use on dogs, but you have to make sure they don’t lick it off. This could delay healing and increase the risk of infection. An antiseptic spray, like Vetricyn, can also work. However, if your dog is showing signs of infection, take them to the vet for an antibiotic.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Cough Medication to Dogs?
Since many over-the-counter cough medications contain xylitol and acetaminophen, substances toxic to dogs, you should never give them human cough syrup or tablets. If your dog is coughing, that could mean they have an underlying issue that needs to be addressed ASAP.
Cough is a common symptom of:
- Kennel cough
- Heartworm disease
- Tracheal collapse
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic bronchitis
A cough could also be a symptom of multiple cancers and various heart diseases.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Antacids Medication to Dogs?
Only use antacids like omeprazole (Prilosec) and famotidine (Pepcid) under the direction of your veterinarian. If your dog is also constipated, you can also give them unflavored MiraLAX. With that said, proper dosage is important, or you could end up making the problem worse.
Can You Give Over-the-Counter Supplements to Dogs?
Never give your dog human vitamins or even over-the-counter dog supplements before speaking to your vet. It’s very possible that these pills contain doses that are toxic to dogs. If you’re concerned about your dog’s nutrition, speak to a vet or purchase high-quality dog food.
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If you’re a dog owner, you may have caught your furry friend munching on grass in the backyard or during your daily walks. While it may seem like a puzzling behaviour, dogs eating grass is actually quite common. But have you ever wondered why dogs eat grass? Is it just a random habit or is there a deeper reason behind it?
In this blog, we will explore the possible reasons why dogs eat grass, with a special focus on the nutritional aspects of this behaviour, and how a gently cooked, complete and balanced diet could help.
Photo by Mateusz Grabowski
Reason 1: Seeking Nutrients
One of the main reasons why dogs eat grass is to obtain nutrients that could be missing from their regular diet. Grass is a good source of fibre, which can aid in digestion and promote bowel movements. Because dogs are omnivores, they rely on plant-based sources of fibre and essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K, and calcium, which could be lacking in a dog’s diet. By consuming grass, dogs may be trying to supplement their nutrient intake.
Reason 2: Inducing Vomiting
Another possible reason why dogs eat grass is to induce vomiting. When a dog has an upset stomach, they may eat grass to trigger vomiting as a way to expel whatever is causing discomfort in their digestive system. Some dogs instinctively know that consuming grass can help them vomit and relieve their discomfort. However, it’s important to note that not all dogs will vomit after eating grass, and inducing vomiting should not be encouraged without consulting a veterinarian.
Reason 3: Behavioural or Environmental Factors
Sometimes a dog eating grass could just be a sign of boredom. This can be eliminated by incorporating more interactive play, such as chews and food toys. The same works for dogs who may be eating grass out of anxiety since eating grass can help alleviate their stress and occupy their thoughts.
Additionally, if a dog is kept in an environment where grass is readily available, such as a backyard, they may be more likely to eat it out of habit or curiosity.
Photo by Vincent van Zalinge
How a Cooked, Complete and Balanced Diet Can Help
Providing your dog with a fresh cooked, complete and balanced diet could help address the nutritional aspects of why dogs eat grass. A high-quality, gently cooked dog food that is complete and balanced can provide all the essential nutrients your dog needs for optimal health, including fibre, vitamins, and minerals. This can help ensure that your dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced and meets their specific dietary requirements, reducing the likelihood of them seeking out grass as a source of missing nutrients.
You can even use our meals to alleviate boredom and anxiety or stress! Adding our meals to a fillable chew, such as the infamous Kong toys, or by spreading our meals over a lick mat, you can easily provide additional interactions and games to keep their minds’ busy! See how you can feed our recipes for dogs as a topper here.
Photo by Ayla Verschueren
In conclusion, dogs may eat grass for various reasons, including seeking nutrients, inducing vomiting, or due to behavioural or environmental factors. Providing your dog with a gently cooked, complete and balanced diet can help address the nutritional aspects of why dogs eat grass, ensuring that their diet is nutritionally balanced and meets their specific dietary requirements. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian for any concerns or questions about your dog’s nutrition and overall health, including their grass-eating behaviour.
Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com
And refuses to do anything about.
Don’t be bamboozled.