My Dog Ate a Blood Pressure Pill: Vet-Reviewed Risks & Advice

If you've just discovered that your dog has eaten a blood pressure pill, stay calm, grab the packet of pills if you can, and immediately call your veterinarian. This should be treated as an emergency, and if your vet cannot see you, head to the emergency clinic. Some blood pressure pills are mildly harmful, but others can have life-threatening effects at doses smaller than one tablet.

While some pets can be prescribed blood pressure pills for heart conditions or high blood pressure, they are not the same as human medications. The dangers your dog might face depend largely on the type of medication. For example, one statin pill might make a dog sick, but it could recover relatively quickly. However, one beta blocker can be a fatal dose.

No matter the type, if your dog has eaten a blood pressure pill or if you think they could have eaten one, you should contact your vet immediately or call a pet poison center. The Pet Poison Helpline’s number is 855-764-76061 (fees may be associated with calling this line).

If you're unsure which type of blood pressure medication your dog could have eaten, try to take any packets of pills with you when you go to the vet's office. This will help your vet identify any dangers the pills pose to your dog and decide on the best course of treatment.

Can a Blood Pressure Pill Harm a Dog?

Human blood pressure pills come in many forms, and each has different effects on the body. Most blood pressure pills prescribed for people work by affecting the heart or fluid levels in the body. The danger levels to a dog are very variable; not only are the active ingredients in each blood pressure pill different, but the size of the dog and any health problems they might suffer from can influence their effects.¹

For example, a large dog may only have a mild reaction from ingesting a pill, but a single pill could be an overdose for a small dog. Blood pressure pills can have different effects on dogs ranging from gastrointestinal upset to collapse and seizures.

Different Types of Blood Pressure Pills and Their Effects on Dogs

Human medicines are sometimes prescribed to animals, but animal-specific medications are widely available. A dog's body processes some drugs differently than humans, which can cause extreme side effects or unintended problems when a dog eats them:

How Do Vets Treat Dogs That Have Swallowed Blood Pressure Pills?

The treatment your dog might need if they've eaten a blood pressure pill will depend on their size and weight and the pill they ate. For example, if they've eaten one tablet, it may cause more problems for a smaller dog than a bigger one. However, other factors can affect the treatment your dog needs, such as complications from other health problems.

In any case, the treatment your dog needs should be given promptly. Delaying treatment could cause permanent problems or become life-threatening for some drugs. Your vet may make your dog vomit, as it can help reduce the amount of the drug absorbed into your dog's system. This won't work for all blood pressure medications, so activated charcoal can also be given to your pup to eat. Charcoal is a neutralizer for the pills, so your dog is more protected from their harmful effects.

Dogs that have eaten these medicines often need fluid replacement therapy and strict heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, so they'll likely be kept in the vet's office for a while.

How Can I Protect My Dog From Eating Blood Pressure Pills?

You can keep your dog safe from getting into any medications by taking small steps to secure them. For example, keeping your medication in a cupboard out of your dog’s reach is a good way to ensure they can't get to it. Locking the cupboard with a child lock is also a good way to secure the drugs. Although some people keep their pills out to remind them to take them, it’s best to avoid leaving them on dressers or bedside tables where a dog could get to them.

Why Do Veterinarians Sometimes Prescribe Blood Pressure Pills to Dogs?

Some medications, such as beta-blockers, are only very carefully prescribed for dogs because of their effects on the heart. Others are helpful in treating hypertension and other illnesses.

Remember that even though some medicine humans use is also prescribed for animals, the dosages are very different. For example, beta blockers are often fatal at low doses, and a dog may only need to take half or even a quarter of a tablet.

Final Thoughts

Blood pressure pills are useful in human and veterinary medicine but often have different effects and dosages. If your dog has eaten a blood pressure pill, it's important to contact your vet immediately. Some blood pressure pills have minor effects on a dog's blood pressure and heart, but some can be fatal, even in small doses. Securing all medications away from your dog by keeping them in a locked cabinet is the best way to prevent them from ingesting them.

Featured Image Credit: Leka Sergeeva, Shutterstock