Can I Give My Dog or Cat Oxycodone?
Oxycodone (Vicodin)

###No—this potent drug is never safe for animals. Oxycodone is a potent opioid that is used to treat acute pain and long-term, chronic pain in humans. It can be highly addictive and has gained increasing notoriety in the past several years for its potential for abuse, lethal overdoses, and illegal trafficking. It is never used in veterinary medicine as the dosing is inaccurate for small animals. Side effects can be severe, including extreme sedation, disorientation, vomiting, respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, and death. It is never an acceptable method for euthanasia, as an overdose with Oxycodone will produce profound and prolonged suffering in your pet. So, can you give your dog or cat Oxycodone to treat pain? The answer is: No! Never administer this very potent drug to your animals. If you are concerned that your pet is in pain or suffering, it is best to consult with your veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. There are many prescription pain medications that are appropriate for use in animals and your vet can discuss these further.

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