Can Pets Share Our Everyday Medicines?

Some medicines can be shared between people and pets — but others can cause lifelong damage. Please take note!

▼ These can be shared ▼

For emergency wound care, first flush the wound with plenty of saline. If you use povidone-iodine or a similar antiseptic, let it work for 30 seconds, then wipe it off with saline from the centre outwards.

▼ These must never be given to pets ▼

Paracetamol (acetaminophen): dogs and cats cannot metabolise it in the liver — even a low dose can poison a cat.

Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory): causes vomiting, stomach ulcers with intestinal bleeding and kidney damage. Cats are especially sensitive.

Xylitol: a sweetener toxic to dogs, common in sugar-free gum and toothpaste.

Self-medicating a pet can cause acute poisoning. Pets can weigh tens of times less than we do and their bodies work very differently; organ damage from a medicine can affect them for life. Always check with your vet first.