Most drugs are toxic to dogs and cats — especially this popular ADHD drug

“Keep out of the reach of children AND pets.”

That’s the warning that should be displayed on every container of every synthetic drug.

For most of the past decade, drugs have been the number one source of dog and cat poisonings, according to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC).

The key problem with dogs and drugs is that they’re generally not very discriminating when it comes to wolfing down food and non-food items.

My dog Shula, for instance, had a huge appetite for paper — she would eat nearly anything made of paper. But smart dog that she was, she turned up her nose at paper wrappers for chewing gums that contained xylitol, which happens to be highly toxic to dogs.

As for drugs, if a pill has an interesting taste, most dogs will devour all that’s available.

The APCC reports that ibuprofen is the drug that most commonly creates problems for dogs. A small amount of ibuprofen can cause kidney failure and stomach ulcers.

Cats famously have a more refined palate, and they’re just as finicky with drugs. But according to the APCC, cats cannot stop themselves when it comes to Adderall, the amphetamine-based ADHD drug.

Adderall is currently the most widely prescribed ADHD medication, which just increases the chances of cats coming into contact with the drug.

Symptoms of cat intoxication with Adderall include agitation, disorientation, pacing, tremors, and distressed vocalizing. Outcomes will be better if the cat is treated for intoxication before symptoms appear.

So put your drugs on high shelves, behind closed doors, out of the reach of even a Jack Russell Terrier.

Sources:
“Cats attracted to ADHD drug, a feline poison” Janet Raloff, Science News, 3/11/10, sciencenews.org