Household Medications for Cats

Please follow the advice of your veterinarian when using medications.

This is only meant to help out and not replace your veterinarian!



                 Human medications that can be used on cats:

Product	Common Usage	Feline (cat) Dosage
Vitamin B	used as an appetite stimulant	1/2 to 1ml subcutaneously every 24 hours
Benadryl	treats allergies, itching etc.	1/2mg per lb. every 8 hours (max dose 2mg per lb.)
Dramamine	reduces motion (car) sickness	up to 10mg every 8 hours
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%	used to induce vomiting after accidential ingestion of poison	10ml by mouth every 15 minutes
Epinephrine 1:1000	used to treat reactions following medications, insect bites & stings	1/10 to 2/10ml intramuscular or subcutaneously
Di Gel Liquid	antacid and anti-gas	up to 2 tbs every 8 hours
Mineral Oil	eliminates constipation	up to 2 tbs daily
Kaopectate	relieves diarrhea	1 ml per lb. every 2 hours

The following is a list of common antibiotics prescribed by veterinarians. Recommended dosages and common usage's are included. Please follow the advice of your veterinarian when using antibiotics.

* Paracetamol

* Ibuprofen

* Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

* Alcohol of any kind

* Benzocaine

* The laxative phenolphthalein

* Iron supplements

* Vitamin D supplements

* Nebuliser medications prescribed for asthma

* Drugs used to control "fits" e.g. phenytoin (toxic in cats)

* Coffee and tea (due to the caffeine content)

* Cannabis or any other illegal drug.

All of the above have been documented to cause serious illness - and are potentially fatal.

The message is - NEVER assume what is safe for you and your children is safe for your pet - the chances are it isn't.

However, there aren't as many drugs specifically designed to treat diseases and conditions in animals. This means human drugs (those not tested for use in animals) are used if there is no species-specific alternative. This is where the compounding pharmacist comes in. A few reasons for compounding medications include:

Your pet will only take liquids but the medication is only available in pills

Flavoring the medication makes it easier to administer the medication

Your pet needs a drug without a certain additive

Combining drugs together can help you administer the drug

The strength of medication you need for your pet is not available

Your pet is taking a human medication that was removed from the market

! Animal Poison Control Center is sending a nationwide alert to pet owners about common human medications that can be dangerous and even deadly to pets. Thousands of cats and dogs needlessly suffer and many die each year by accidental ingestion of human medications. By category, the most commonly reported medications included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, antidepressants, cold/flu medicines and diet pills.

Tips to help keep pets safe from accidental exposures to human medications:

Some More Products That Can Be Used For Cats:

PRODUCT	FELINE DOSAGE	COMMON USE
Imodium AD	one 2mg caplet per day for two days	For Diarrhea
Dramamine	up to 10 mg. every 8 hours	Used to reduce motion (car) sickness
Benadryl	up to 2 mg. per pound every 8 hours	Treat Allergies, itching, etc.