Pet owners love their pets, and hate to see them sick or in pain.  Owners want to try and fix their pet’s problem and help their pet feel better.  Unfortunately, some well-meaning pet owners try to help their pets by giving them common human medications.  This can be very dangerous, as many drugs that are helpful for people can cause very big problems in pets, and can even cause death.  The following is a few examples of common human drugs that should never be given to pets:

Tylenol (acetaminophen) – Pets should never be given Tylenol.  This drug causes permanent damage to the liver, and can be fatal.

Ibuprofen – If given to pets, this drug can cause bleeding ulcers in the stomach and intestines, as well as damage to the kidneys.  Giving this drug can be fatal.

Aspirin – Cats in particular are very sensitive to aspirin, and it can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestinal tract, as well as damage the liver. Giving this drug can be fatal.

Aleve – This drug can cause bleeding gastric ulcers and kidney damage.  This drug can be fatal.

These are just a few examples of human medications that can be very dangerous for pets, and there are many more.  Giving any medication to your pet without specific instructions from your veterinarian can be very dangerous, and can result in the death of your pet.  It may also result in expensive veterinary bills since your pet may need extensive treatment to save his or her life after receiving these medications. 

If you suspect your pet is sick or in pain, the best thing you can do for him/her is to contact your veterinarian.  A veterinarian will be able to get to the bottom of your pet’s problem, and safely help your pet feel better.  The bottom line is that you should NEVER, EVER give your pet medication without speaking to your veterinarian first.