Storing Pet Medicine

Most pharmacists ask their patients where they keep their medications but this essential element of counseling can be missed with our furry friends. Many of these points may seem obvious but there are still cases of children and pets getting into veterinary medications. This article aims to help pet parents when storing pet medicine in safe and appropriate places to prevent unnecessary complications.

Keep it cool and dry

It is important to keep your pet’s medications out of direct sunlight because some medications are degraded by it and most medications should be away from heat. It is best to keep medications in a closed system like a cabinet or drawer which will rarely see sunlight and will be kept dry.  Humidity can be a real problem as well, especially for capsules because they can melt. Bathrooms are often the most humid room due to showering, making them a poor place to keep your pet’s medications. Kitchens can be a good place as long as they aren’t near a stove or other sources of heat. Bedrooms can also be a good place to store pet medications but they often don’t have cupboards or cabinets out of reach to children and pets. The best room to keep your pet’s medications varies by household and if there are children around, so this information should be used subjectively in deciding where the best location is for your house.

Higher is better

As with all medications, it is important to store them out of the reach of children. They can be very curious and get into cupboards within in reach. Many medications come in colorful packaging which can be enticing to children. They can also be flavored, which may encourage children to eat of your pet’s medications and supplements. Keeping your pet’s medications in a cabinet out of reach is a great way to prevent toxic effects in your children.

Children aren’t the only ones attracted to medications, your pets are too! The flavored chewables, powders and other forms are the most enticing to your pet. Your pet may think they are treats and get into them when you aren’t looking. Before you know it, the whole bag or bottle may be gone and you have a dog or cat experiencing some major side effects. This can lead to veterinary exam expenses and possibly even death. Keeping them in a cabinet out of reach can help prevent your pet from getting toxic amounts of their medications.

In summary, it is best to store your pet’s medications in a high cabinet or drawer, out of reach to children and pets, located in a cool dry room such as a kitchen or bedroom.

Where do you store your pet’s medications? Do you have any extra suggestions or tips for other pet parents? Leave a comment or question by clicking “leave a reply”.