Dangerous Home Remedies: What NOT to Give Your Pet

The internet is full of "natural" pet remedies. Most are harmless. Some can kill your pet within hours. Here is what you must NEVER give your pet.

Human Pain Medications — THE MOST DANGEROUS

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Extremely toxic to dogs and cats. A single 200mg tablet can kill a small dog. Causes severe GI ulceration and acute kidney failure.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol): Fatal to cats. They cannot metabolize it — even a small dose causes methemoglobinemia (blood cannot carry oxygen) and severe liver damage.

Naproxen (Aleve): More toxic than ibuprofen. Severe GI ulceration and kidney failure at very low doses.

Aspirin: While sometimes prescribed by vets at specific doses, human aspirin is NOT safe for ad hoc use. Overdose causes GI bleeding, acidosis, and liver damage.

Essential Oils

Many essential oils are toxic to pets, especially cats (who lack the liver enzymes to process them). Never apply undiluted essential oils to pets. Never use tea tree oil (melaleuca) on cats. Never use a diffuser in a room where a cat or bird cannot leave. The most toxic: tea tree, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, pine, citrus, peppermint, cinnamon, wintergreen.

Foods Toxic to Pets

Xylitol (birch sugar): Found in sugar-free gum, candy, peanut butter, and baked goods. Causes rapid, severe hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs. As little as 1 piece of gum can be fatal.

Grapes and raisins: Cause acute kidney failure in dogs. The toxic dose varies — some dogs eat one and are fine, others eat a few and die. Never risk it.

Chocolate: Theobromine is toxic. Dark chocolate = more toxic. Baking chocolate = worst.

Onions, garlic, chives, leeks: Cause oxidative damage to red blood cells (Heinz body anemia). Garlic is more toxic than onion. Both raw and cooked forms are toxic. Cats are especially sensitive.

Macadamia nuts: Cause weakness, vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors in dogs. Mechanism unknown.

"Natural" Flea Remedies

Garlic is sometimes promoted as a "natural" flea repellent. It does NOT work and is TOXIC to dogs and cats. Diatomaceous earth can cause respiratory irritation. Tea tree oil is toxic to cats.

Inducing Vomiting at Home

Never induce vomiting without veterinary guidance. If your pet ingested something sharp, caustic, or petroleum-based, vomiting makes it worse. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) is sometimes used under vet guidance but causes gastritis and can cause aspiration pneumonia.

The Bottom Line

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) BEFORE giving your pet anything not specifically prescribed for them. A quick phone call can save your pet's life.