Skip to main content

Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Figo Pet Insurance Logo
  • Pet Insurance
    • Dog Insurance
    • Cat Insurance
    • Coverage
    • Compare
    • FAQs
  • Pet Cloud
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Get a Quote
Figo logo

  • Login
  • Dog Insurance
  • Careers
  • Found a lost Figo pet?
  • About Us
  • Cat Insurance
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Employers
  • Veterinarians
  • Compare
  • Maine Residents
  • California Privacy

Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Instagram logo
  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • Twitter

No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use & Licensing
  • Insurance Fraud Warnings
  • Underwriting

Copyright © 2015-2023 Figo Pet Insurance LLC. All rights reserved

How to dispose of pet and human medications properly

November 17, 2016

Disposing of leftover medication in the toilet or sink contaminates our water systems. Dr. Lee Pickett explains the best way to dispose of drugs here!

How to dispose of pet and human medications properly

Q:I have unused feline and human medications. I mentioned to a friend that I planned to flush them down the toilet, but she told me they would get into the water supply and then be ingested by fish and humans. Isn’t toilet water treated? Is there a better way to dispose of unused pet and human drugs?

A:Please do not discard medications in the toilet or sink. Water treatment plants remove bacteria from the water, but not the drugs you flush into the sewage system. The reverse osmosis equipment necessary to remove chemicals from drinking water is far too expensive for municipalities to install in their water treatment facilities.

The best way to dispose of drugs is to deliver them to an official organization that will see that they are safely incinerated. The three most common types of organizations are:

  • Municipalities: Most cities and towns sponsor drug take-back days a few times each year, when they collect unused medications for disposal.

  • Pharmacies: Many accept unused medications for disposal, and others provide envelopes so you can send drugs to companies that dispose of them properly. Ask your pharmacist or visit disposemymeds.org for a list of take-back pharmacies in your area.

  • Police stations: Many law enforcement agencies have drop boxes where you can deposit discarded medications.

Visit earth911.com and enter your zip code to find locations near you that dispose of unused drugs – and everything else you want to throw away safely.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.