Is this side effect normal?
Look up about 50 common dog and cat medications by brand or generic name. See what’s normal, what means call us now, and how to give it safely.
Look up a medication
Type the name on the label, brand or generic. Then pick dog or cat.
Browse by category
Not sure of the spelling? Find it here. Tap any medication to see its side effects.
Three rules for every medication
Don’t stop or change it on your own
Some drugs, like steroids and seizure medicines, are dangerous to stop suddenly. If something seems off, call us first and we’ll tell you whether to hold the next dose.
Never double up
Missed a dose? Check the label or call us. Giving two doses to catch up can cause the very side effects you’re trying to avoid.
No mixing without asking
Never add a human medicine, and never pair an NSAID pain reliever with a steroid or another NSAID. Tell us about every supplement and flea product, too.
Side effects and cautions come from FDA-approved product labels and Freedom of Information summaries (DailyMed and Animal Drugs @ FDA), FDA safety notices on isoxazoline flea and tick products (2018) and Librela (2024), the USDA-licensed Cytopoint insert, the Merck Veterinary Manual, the 2018 ACVIM consensus on stomach protectants, and Washington State University’s MDR1 drug list. Reviewed October 2026. This is general guidance, not a replacement for an exam or your vet’s advice for your pet.
Common questions
My pet vomited after a dose. Should I stop the medicine?
Call us before you stop anything. One episode of vomiting after a new medicine is common and often settles. For NSAID pain relievers like carprofen, meloxicam or Galliprant, the label says to stop and call if you see vomiting, black stool or a change in appetite. If your pet vomits again and again, there’s blood, or they seem very unwell, call (310) 776-5544 now, or the nearest 24/7 emergency vet if we’re closed.
I missed a dose. What should I do?
Check the label first, then call us if you’re unsure. Never give two doses at once to catch up. Missed doses matter more for seizure medicines and steroids, so call us the same day for those.
Can I give my pet the human version of their medicine?
Only if we prescribed that exact product. Human strengths are different, and some human forms contain ingredients that are toxic to pets, like the xylitol in some liquid gabapentin. Never give a human pain reliever: acetaminophen is fatal to cats. Our Human Medicine Safety Lookup covers the common ones.
Why can’t my dog take an NSAID and a steroid together?
Both can irritate the stomach, and together they can cause ulcers and bleeding. That’s why every NSAID label warns against the combination. When we switch from one to the other, we build in a gap first.
My pet got into the bottle. What now?
Call us right away at (310) 776-5544, or the nearest 24/7 emergency vet if we’re closed. Have the bottle in hand so we know the drug and strength. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). Many pet medicines are flavored chews, so store them up high or locked away.
How do I get a refill?
Request it in our Pet Portal, or order from our online pharmacy, pawpriorityrx.vet. Some medicines need a recheck or bloodwork before we can refill them.
Is every side effect listed here?
No. We list the main ones from each product’s label and trusted veterinary references. Your pet’s history matters too, so if you notice anything new after starting a medicine, tell us.