Paws Off: Keeping Your Pets Safe from Human Meds
Your medications help you stay healthy, but they can be very dangerous for your pets. Even one dropped pill or a tube of cosmetic cream can cause a pet to get sick or have an overdose. Use these simple and free tips from Multnomah County Health Department to keep your furry friends safe.
Lock Up Medications
Pets are curious and can easily chew through thin plastic pill bottles.
- Use a lock bag: If you don't have a cabinet that locks, put your meds in a secure lock bag.
- Keep them hidden: Store all medicine where pets cannot see or reach them.
- Secure your codes: Use a lock combination that only you know.
Safe Disposal
Never throw unused pills in the regular trash or flush them down the toilet. Pets can find them in the garbage, and meds in the toilet can harm the environment.
- Use Deterra bags: These plant-based bags deactivate your over-the-counter and prescription drugs and make them safe to put in the trash.
- Drop boxes: Look for a drug collection box in your neighborhood.
- Mail them in: You can also mail your old meds away to be destroyed safely.
Get Free Supplies
Multnomah County provides free tools to help you keep your home safe.
- Order online: You can request free lock bags and Deterra drug disposal bags from Multnomah County.
- Pick up in person: Get free bags at Community Health Center pharmacies, Veeva Chiropractic clinics in Portland and Gresham, or Animal Services.
A Note on Sharps: Never throw used needles or injectors in the trash. It is against the law and can hurt your pets or the people who pick up your garbage. Safely dispose of them by using sharp storage and disposal containers, or contact your waste and recycling provider to arrange a special pickup.
