Guide to Human Medications That Are Toxic to Dogs Dog Poisoning: Human Medications & When to Seek Emergency Vat Care
Many medicines that are safe for people can be dangerous, and sometimes fatal, to dogs. Even a single tablet can cause serious illness, particularly in small dogs.
If you think your dog has swallowed any human medication, contact your vet immediately. Early treatment can significantly improve the outcome.
Common Human Medications That Are Toxic to Dogs
Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines can be harmful to dogs. The list below includes some of the more commonly encountered medications, but it is not exhaustive. If you think your dog has swallowed any medication that was not prescribed specifically for them, contact your vet for advice.
Common examples include:
Painkillers (e.g. Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac)
Antidepressants
ADHD medications
Heart and blood pressure medications
Diabetes medications
Asthma medications
Sleeping tablets and sedatives
Iron supplements and some vitamin preparations
Signs of Poisoning in Your Dog and What to Do
The signs of medication poisoning vary depending on the type of medication and the amount swallowed. Some dogs become unwell within minutes, while others may not develop signs for several hours.
Common signs include:
Excessive drooling
Tremors or seizures
If you know or suspect your dog has swallowed any human medication, contact your vet immediately, even if they are not yet showing any signs of illness.
What to do if you suspect poisoning
If you think your dog has swallowed human medication:
Prevent your dog from swallowing any more medication.
Keep the medication packaging or container, if possible.
Contact your vet immediately for advice.
Tell your vet the name of the medication, the strength (if known) and approximately how much may have been swallowed.
Follow your vet's advice.
Human Medications – Poisoning Prevention Tips
You can reduce the risk of medication poisoning by:
Keeping all medicines in secure cupboards out of your dog's reach.
Never giving your dog human medication unless specifically advised by your vet.
Returning medicines to their original containers after use.
Clearing up dropped tablets or capsules immediately.
Keeping handbags, pill organisers, dosette boxes and medication packs out of your dog's reach.
Written by Gill Burkhill, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published July 2026 | Review date July 2029 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet