WASHINGTON — Pet owners are being urged to safely store a commonly prescribed dog medication after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported an increase in accidental overdoses involving Apoquel Chewable, a flavored prescription medicine used to treat itching and allergic skin disease in dogs.
Apoquel Chewable contains oclacitinib and is approved only for dogs. The FDA says the chewable medication can help dogs older than 1 year when used at the proper dose, but the pork-liver flavor that makes it easier to give to pets can also make it tempting for dogs — and cats — to eat if they find the bottle.
The FDA said accidental overdoses have been reported in both dogs and cats. As of April 2, 2026, the agency had received 259 overdose reports involving dogs and 64 involving cats since the medication was approved in June 2023. Cats are especially at risk because they are more likely to suffer serious side effects if they consume too much of the medication.
In many cases reported to the FDA, a pet ate an entire or nearly full bottle of Apoquel Chewable. The agency says an overdose can be life-threatening for both dogs and cats. Warning signs may include vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, redness of the eyes, swelling around the eyes, and possible effects on the heart, brain, kidneys or liver. Symptoms often appear within 24 hours after an overdose.
Pet owners can reduce the risk by keeping Apoquel Chewable and other flavored pet medications in their original packaging and storing them in a place pets cannot reach, such as a high cupboard or a cabinet with a child-resistant lock. Owners may also ask their veterinarian whether switching to the unflavored, non-chewable Apoquel tablet is a better option for their home.
If a pet may have eaten too much Apoquel Chewable, owners should call their veterinarian immediately. If a regular veterinarian is not available, the FDA recommends contacting a local emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control center. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 1-888-426-4435, and the Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-855-764-7661. Both services are available 24 hours a day and may charge a fee.
When calling for help, pet owners should be ready to provide the animal’s weight, how much medication may have been eaten, when it was consumed and the product packaging if available.
The FDA is also encouraging pet owners to report overdose incidents or side effects to Zoetis, the maker of Apoquel Chewable, or through the FDA’s animal drug reporting system. The agency says reports help regulators track product safety after medications are on the market and identify possible safety concerns.