A chewable pet medicine can feel like a small miracle. No wrestling match. No hidden pill in peanut butter. No suspicious dog spitting it back onto the rug.

But the same thing that makes a flavored medication easier to give can also make it tempting when you are not watching. This summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned pet owners about increasing reports of accidental overdoses involving Apoquel Chewable, a flavored itch medication approved for dogs. The FDA said it had received 259 overdose reports in dogs and 64 in cats as of April 2, 2026, since the product was approved in June 2023.

That does not mean every chewable medicine is dangerous when used as directed. It does mean pet owners should treat flavored medications less like “pills” and more like “high-value treats with medical consequences.” Your local veterinarian can help you make that shift without panic and without making medication time harder than it needs to be.

Why this matters at home

Apoquel Chewable is used for allergic itch and atopic dermatitis in dogs. AAHA’s pet-owner guidance on dog allergies notes that dogs with allergies may scratch, lick, chew, rub, develop recurring ear issues, or show inflamed skin. For many dogs, allergy care is not a one-and-done visit; it is an ongoing plan that may include flea prevention, bathing, diet trials, injections, oral medications, or other tools.

That is exactly why medication safety matters. A drug your dog takes regularly may sit in the same kitchen, bathroom, backpack, purse, or nightstand for months. Over time, “I’ll put it away in a minute” becomes the risky moment.

The FDA’s warning focused on Apoquel Chewable because its pork-liver flavoring can attract pets. In many reported cases, a dog or cat ate a full or nearly full bottle. The FDA says overdose signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, eye redness or swelling, and effects involving the heart, brain, kidneys, or liver. Signs usually appear within 24 hours. Cats are a special concern because Apoquel Chewable is not approved for cats, and the FDA says cats may be more likely than dogs to experience serious side effects after an overdose.

A simple five-minute medication check

You do not need a fancy system. You need a repeatable one.

Start by gathering every pet medication in the house: daily pills, chewables, ear medications, eye medications, flea and tick products, supplements, leftover prescriptions, and anything your pet takes only “as needed.” Include human medications too, because many emergency calls involve pets getting into people’s prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs.

Then ask four questions:

  1. Is it in the original container with the label readable? Keep the pet’s name, dose, and directions with the medication.
  2. Could my pet reach it if they jumped, climbed, knocked it down, or chewed through packaging? “High shelf” is not the same as secure.
  3. Could a child mistake it for candy? This is especially important with chewable or flavored liquids.
  4. Do I still need this medication? Expired or leftover medications should be disposed of properly, not saved “just in case.”

For many homes, the answer is a small lockbox or a cabinet with a child-resistant latch. Store pet medications away from human medications to reduce mix-ups. If you use a pill organizer, ask your veterinarian whether that is appropriate for your pet’s medication; some drugs should stay in original packaging.

Ask your local vet before allergy season gets messy

This is where a trusted independent veterinary practice can really help. Your local team knows your pet, your household, and your routines. They can help you think through questions a national checkout page cannot answer: Is a chewable version the best fit for this dog? Is there a non-chewable option? Should a cat in the home change the storage plan? What side effects should you watch for? What number should you call after hours?

If you are using an online pharmacy, your veterinarian still belongs in the conversation. Apoquel Chewable requires a prescription from a veterinarian, and the FDA’s safety guidance points pet owners back to their veterinarian for questions about switching to the unflavored, non-chewable tablet, suspected overdoses, and medication-related problems. That is not about making you buy everything from the clinic. It is about keeping the medical decision connected to the doctor who examined your pet.

If your pet gets into medication, do not wait and see

If you think your pet ate too much medication—or ate another pet’s medication—call your veterinarian right away. If your regular clinic is closed, call a local emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control center. The FDA lists two 24/7 U.S. resources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661. These services may charge a fee, but they can help your veterinary team decide what needs to happen next.

Have the package ready if you can. Know your pet’s weight, the medication strength, how many tablets may be missing, and when it happened. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional tells you to do so.

The takeaway

Medication safety is not about blame. Pets are clever, fast, and often very food-motivated. The practical move is to assume that anything flavored may be found, chewed, and swallowed if it is accessible.

At your next visit, ask your local vet for a quick medication-safety review. It is a small conversation that supports better care, fewer emergencies, and the kind of long-term relationship independent veterinary practices are built to provide.