Also called throat lozenges, cough drops are highly beneficial because they soothe the throat and curb the reflex that makes you cough. They work by increasing saliva and providing a cooling feeling in your mouth. Taking several pieces of cough drops in a day is often enough to prevent and relieve symptoms of cough, throat irritation, and sore throat.
As a pet owner, you should be careful in using and storing cough drops when you’re at home. Cough drops are harmless and even beneficial for humans, but not when given to dogs.
You should never give your dogs any cough drops. Cough drops aren’t dog-friendly and their ingredients can trigger gastrointestinal upset among canines. Cough drops can put your dogs at risk of the following:
Xylitol
Xylitol is one of the most toxic ingredients for canines and unfortunately, the most common ingredient found in cough drops. Xylitol can cause seizures, low blood sugar, liver injuries, and hypoglycemia in canines. In extreme cases, xylitol can also cause sudden death.
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a topical local anesthetic often used to provide temporary relief from pain and itching caused by burns, scrapes, and insect bites. Cough drops use benzocaine to numb painful areas. In smaller doses, benzocaine can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. When consumed in large doses, benzocaine can trigger methemoglobinemia, a type of anemia that causes depression, rapid breathing, weakness, vomiting, and swelling of the jaw.
Menthol
The ability of cough drops to provide that cooling sensation is caused by menthol. This ingredient is potentially dangerous to your fur babies, especially to puppies. When consumed by puppies, menthol lowers blood oxygen levels and makes it very challenging for newborn or weaned puppies to breathe and intake oxygen.
Adult dogs can still experience minor symptoms after ingesting menthol, including mild diarrhea and vomiting, and belly ache. Menthol may also cause irritation in your dogs’ mouths and digestive tracts.
Sugar
Sugar glucose or sugar is harmful to your fur babies as this ingredient will make them hyperactive almost immediately. Dogs consuming too much sugar can trigger vomiting and diarrhea, which can worsen to dehydration when left untreated. Over time, a high-sugar diet can cause your dogs to develop tooth decay, liver failure, and even diabetes.
Additives
Cough drops contain different types of additives to enhance their flavors and colors. Additives can cause a lot of health problems in dogs, such as behavioral issues, skin allergies, eye irritations, respiratory problems, and cancer.
Eucalyptus Oil
All types of essential oils are harmful to dogs when inhaled, much more when they’re ingested. When ingested, your dogs can experience eucalyptus poisoning, which causes different symptoms like depression, seizures, and sudden death.
Choking Hazards
Aside from the harmful ingredients, cough drops are also choking hazards. Your dogs might swallow cough drops whole, which can cause them to choke on them. This will likely happen if puppies ate several pieces of cough drops.
Obstruction
Another risk your dogs are exposed to when they eat cough drops is intestinal obstruction. Swallowing cough drops whole can block the intestines of your dogs, which will require surgery for treatment. Being in this situation can cause physical and mental stress to the dogs and financial stress to the pet owner.
What Should You Do When Your Dogs Ingest Cough Drops?
If you suspect your dogs ate cough drops, gather information about the incident, so you can easily relay them to your vet. Before calling the vet, make sure to:
- Determine how many cough drops your dogs ate. Did they eat one or several pieces? Or were they able to consume the entire bag?
- Check if your dogs ate the wrapper, too. Dogs who ate the wrapper will be at higher risk of intestinal blockages and its painful symptoms.
- How long ago did your dogs eat cough drops? This is crucial because your vet will likely recommend different treatment options depending on how long your dogs have ingested the cough drops.
Can Cough Drops Kill Dogs?
A dog dying from eating cough drops is rare but it’s not impossible. Small breed dogs and puppies can choke on one cough drop, which can cause sudden death when left untreated. Adult dogs, on the other hand, can experience xylitol poisoning after eating cough drops, which can also lead to death. Dogs who develop intestinal blockages from eating cough drops can also become fatal.
Can Dogs Eat Sugar-Free Cough Drops?
No, sugar-free cough drops are also a no-go for fur babies. Even sugar-free cough drops contain xylitol, a toxic ingredient to canines. If your dogs were able to steal sugar-free cough drops without your consent, you need to reach out to a vet immediately.
How Can You Prevent Dogs From Eating Cough Drops?
To help prevent your dogs from eating your cough drops, put them in a sealed bag or container and place them in areas where your dogs can’t reach. If you often carry your cough drops in your bags, hang your bags in high areas, so your dogs can’t reach them.
When consuming cough drops at home, properly dispose of the wrapper or uneaten pieces. Your dogs might eat them behind your back and put them at risk for many problems.
Talk to Your Vet ASAP
Cough drops can adversely affect your dogs’ overall health, so make sure that these products are out of their reach. If you notice your dog’s ingested cough drops, call your vet immediately. Acting fast is key to making sure that your fur babies survive.