Every year people lose a beloved dog to some kind of accidental poisoning.
In most cases that poisoning could be prevented if the pet owner used reasonable care with certain products around the home.
Various medications made for people have resulted in dog illness and death.
Medications such as:

• NSAIDS ( i.
  e.
  Advil, Motrin),
• Acetaminophen ( i.
  e.
  Tylenol)
• Antidepressants
• ADD/ADHD medications ( i.
  e.
  Ritalin, Concerta,)
• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ambien)
• Birth control
• ACE inhibators (i.
  e.
  Zestril or Altace,)
• Beta blocker (i.
  e.
  Teprol, Coreg)
• Thyroid hormones
• Cholesterol lowering agents, are just some of the many medications that can harm your dog.
  

While these are the most common medications that vets see in dog poisoning cases, any human medication may prove deadly to your dog.
Following these 7 steps to keep your medications out of your dogs reach and prevent accidental poisoning will result in less worry for you and a safer, healthier life for your dog.

1. Always keep medications tightly closed and high up out of the reach of your dog.
   Even the best behaved dog likes to explore and finding that plastic medicine bottle may well look like a chew toy to him.
   
2. Never medicate your dog with a human medication unless specifically advised by your Veterinarian and then only use the recommended dose and only for the condition it is prescribed.
   If in doubt contact your vet and double check.
   
3. Don't assume because a medication is safe for a child it is safe for your dog.
   Pets metabolize medications far differently than humans and something that may be mild and harmless for a child may be deadly to your pet.
   
4. Don't leave loose pills of any kind in a zip lock bag.
   The pills showing through the bag are an invitation to your dog to explore and zip locks are easy to rip open.
   Again keep medications in safe containers and out of your dogs reach.
   Encourage guests in your home to also keep their medications high up or locked in their suitcases.
   
5. If you store your medications in a weekly pill container,make sure that this container as well as the medicine bottles are out of your dogs reach.
   
6. Never store medications for your pet along side your medications.
   Having a separate place for your pet's medications will prevent any accidental mix up.
   
7. Always hang your purse up even if you aren't carrying medications it is a great habit and dogs can get sick from cosmetics as well so it is better to be safe than sorry.
   

By keeping all medications out of your pets reach you can help keep your beloved dog safe and reduce the risk of accidental poisoning greatly.
If your pet does ingest any human medication either over the counter or prescription, please call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison helpline immediately.
The Helpline's 24 hour number is (888) 426-4435.
Keeping the helpline number posted prominently near the phone may save your dogs life in an emergency.