One thing we all have in common is the desire to keep our furry friends comfortable. But when it comes to pain relief, some choices are riskier than others.

In an honest effort to relieve discomfort, some folks treat their pets like themselves: they reach for ibuprofen. But what helps us can be deadly to our pets, because pets process ibuprofen differently. So, instead of relieving pain, ibuprofen can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures or worse.

Ibuprofen toxicity in pets is more common than you might think. Every year, it ranks near the top of the list of most common pet poisons. The Animal Poison Control Center gets more calls about ibuprofen than any other medication.

So when it comes to relieving your pet’s pain, trust your veterinarian — and prescription medications developed just for animals.