No one necessarily loves going to the doctor or taking medications, but it’s a responsibility of life—and that’s no different for your pet! As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure your dog or cat receives the proper vet visits and medications that they need to stay healthy. With that, it’s also important to remember that there are many drug interactions for dogs and cats that you should be aware of to keep your pet safe.
As pet owners ourselves, we understand how important it is to have the information and answers to your questions readily available. Our team at CVCA is dedicated to your furry family members’ health, which is why we want to talk about cat and dog medicine interactions. Keep reading to learn more and to have some of your pet medication questions answered.
When your cat or dog comes to us with a heart problem, there’s a chance that they’ll need to be put on one (or more) commonly prescribed medications to help manage their health. Each medication has its own set of side effects or adverse reactions, which is why it’s so important to look over the drug information we provide carefully.
Below is a list of some of the types of medications that we prescribe. We encourage you to read over the ones that apply to your furry friend so you’re aware of all of the possible drug interactions for cats and dogs.
Have you read over all of the drug information for your pet’s medications? Do you still have questions or concerns about side effects? That’s completely normal, which is why our team wanted to take the time to answer some of the most common questions we get at our clinics, plus a few extra tips!
Just like humans, some types of medications can be sensitive to your pet’s stomach. If the instructions on your pet’s medication say to give with food, we suggest using pill pocket treats, a cheese cube, or a piece of a hot dog. But be aware that some drug interactions for dogs and cats require the medicine to be administered on an empty stomach, so check with your vet first.
Keeping your pet’s medications in a safe place is essential for your pet’s health and safety. The last thing anyone wants is for their cats or dogs to get into the place where you store medication and eat it! With that in mind, keep your prescription drugs in the original container, where they’re clearly labeled with your pet’s name and dosage instructions. Also, keep them locked in a place that is definitely out of reach for curious paws and noses.
Some prescription drugs require you to administer them at the same time every day. Think of it like taking antibiotics—you usually take one in the morning and one in the evening. When you get your pet into a routine, it also becomes easier to give them the medications. So even if they don’t need to take medication at specific times, we suggest starting a routine regardless.
We get it—life happens, we get busy, and medications can be forgotten. Having a routine can help you remember to give your cat or dog their medication, but what do you do if you miss a dose? Depending on the medication, you might be able to give it to your pet without any side effects if it’s only a few hours later. But if it’s more than that, we suggest calling your vet to get the possible answer.
If you’ve ever had to measure the dosage for your pet’s medications, you’re likely already familiar with abbreviations like mg (milligrams), ml (milliliter), and cc (cubic centimeter). These can be confusing if your veterinarian didn’t give you clear instructions, and not knowing the proper dosage can cause dangerous side effects for your pet. If you are ever confused about the dosage to administer, please give your vet a call to help you clarify.
Have you ever tried to give your pet a pill, and they end up spitting it back out, even if it’s inside their favorite treat? Or maybe some of the liquid escapes their mouth and syringe? We’ve all been there, and unfortunately, there’s no “right” answer or method for administering pet medication. Our suggestion is to watch your vet carefully and have them help you give your pet the first dose. Both dogs and cats can be difficult, so find something that works for you and stick to it.
