Can I give my dog cough drops?

Cough drops come in handy particularly for a sore throat. Giving a few to your dog may seem like a good idea to some folks but let’s take a closer look.

Video: My dog cough drop and Liam

From a practical standpoint, cough drops can’t be effective for dogs. Also, the ingredients could be harmful. So, for whatever reason you’re thinking of sharing some, this isn’t a good idea.

If your dog has a bad cough, that won’t go away, don’t consider using cough drops as a solution. If possible, a vet should do a diagnosis as to the reasons for the canine coughing.

Can I Give My Dog Cough Drops? Answer: Not Recommended

There are many reasons why this is a bad idea.

Consider an safer and more effective alternative such as Tossa-K which is a herbal remedy developed for specifically for pets.

Cases of Accidental Ingestion

Maybe your dog somehow consumed a bunch of cough drops. Depending on the ingredients and several other factors, the effects could vary. If they ate a bunch of them, maybe even the wrappers, it could possibly be a problem.

Play it safe and call a vet to let them assess the situation. In the meantime, monitor your dog for strange behavior and signs of couch drop poisoning. Document any symptoms and the times that they occur.

The Potential for Toxicity

Many of the ingredients in popular cough drop brands are potentially dangerous for dogs. It’s possible that letting your dog have some could lead to complications.

This is especially true if they are given continually. In particular, sometimes cough drops contain Xylitol which is certainly toxic to dogs. That’s why sugar-free could actually be worse!

Just Too Many Unknowns

Most cough drops contain a combination of artificial flavors, sugar, Benzocaine and menthol. At the very least, your dog could get an upset stomach or experience temporary gastrointestinal issues.

Even if they’re ultimately harmless, the whole concept is wrong. Giving your dog a few cough drops is actually worse than providing candy to them. Surely you don’t consider that a good idea.

Regarding the Practicality

Besides all these serious issues, another obvious problem with human cough drops is that they’re meant to be sucked on until they gradually dissolve.

Video: Dog Named after a Cough Drop?!?!? (Daily #591)

Dogs simply cannot do that. Instead, they’ll crunch them up quickly and swallow them. The soothing benefit of continually swallowing the juices won’t be achieved.

Instead of Cough Drops

If your dog has a bad cough it could be the sign of a more serious medical problem. Don’t try to mask over it and instead treat the condition as naturally as possible while addressing its root cause.

Video: My dog loves cough drops

In most cases, human over-the-counter treatments aren’t a great option for dogs. Some vets do, however, recommend the use of Mucinex or Pepcid for the short term.

But if the cough persists, maybe it’s a chronic condition, get them checked out. It could be kennel cough or who knows! Vets are well trained to put your dog on the right treatment path.

Some Quick Cough Tips

There are a few things to consider when helping your dog recover from a case of coughing without using cough drops. Make sure that you aren’t making it any harder for them to breath by putting them in smoke-filled places. You can also run a humidifier to help loosen up their airways if they’ve got congestion.

Conclusion on Cough Drops

Do not give your dog any cough drops. It’s just a bad idea for lots of reasons. If a bunch were eaten, give the vet a ring while you monitor your dog. Usually just a few will turn out to be a non-event. If your dog has a persistent case of kennel cough, or something similar, cough drops certainly won’t help. Have the situation assessed and get your dog the right treatment.

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