At some point, we’ve all had a nasty cough or suffered from a sore throat. In these cases, having a packet of cough drops on hand can make a miserable situation a little more bearable. When inquisitive canine noses sniff them out, though, cough drops can be the source of a few problems.
Many cough drop brands use eucalyptus oil, menthol, and sugar in their recipes. Along with the artificial colors and flavors, they can give dogs stomach aches when ingested. Also, many sugar-free cough drops use xylitol as a sweetener, which has been proven to be toxic to dogs.
Why Are Cough Drops Dangerous for Dogs?
It’s a good idea to know what to expect when it comes to the safety of your dog after they’ve eaten one or more cough drops. The results can vary from minor gastrointestinal issues to choking, obstruction, and fatalities.
Benzocaine
Maximum-strength cough drops usually contain an ingredient known as benzocaine. It’s a local anesthetic that numbs the throat and mouth. While it helps relieve the pain from a sore throat, it can make it difficult for your dog to breathe. If your dog eats many of these cough drops, it can cause methemoglobinemia.
That said, your dog is likely to only suffer from a bad stomach ache. Keep an eye on them just in case, though.
Choking and Obstruction Risk
While we know not to swallow cough drops whole, dogs don’t. Swallowing cough drops whole can pose either a choking risk if they get stuck in your dog’s throat, or they can get stuck in your dog’s intestines. Remember to consider the wrappers too, as they can cause choking or obstruction if ingested.
Both situations will require veterinary assistance, especially if your dog is having trouble breathing or if they need surgery to remove the blockage in their gut.
Menthol
It may have a satisfying cooling effect for us, but menthol can lower blood oxygen levels in dogs. This is a risk for puppies — newborns in particular — because it makes it difficult for them to breathe properly. Adult dogs might not have as serious of a reaction, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on their breathing just in case.
Xylitol
Most sugar-free products contain artificial sweeteners to keep them sweet without using sugar. Xylitol is one of them. While this chemical is harmless to us, it’s highly toxic to dogs.
The risk here can vary depending on the amount of xylitol in the cough drops, but it can cause hypoglycemia and liver damage in dogs if they are not treated properly.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Cough Drops
Even if you keep your cough drops well out of your dog’s reach, accidents happen. Dropping one without realizing it or forgetting to put the packet away are ways that your dog can come into contact with cough drops.
If you suspect that they’ve eaten one or the entire packet, check the ingredients on the back of the bag. Some ingredients will only give your dog minor stomach upset — like menthol and benzocaine — while others will lead to more severe consequences. Knowing what ingredients your dog might have ingested will help when it comes to looking out for symptoms of toxicity.
Most gastrointestinal upset passes on its own within a few hours. In these cases, you and your dog just have to wait it out. If their stomach issues last for longer than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian.
For cough drops with xylitol, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Also, pay particular attention to any symptoms like seizures, low blood pressure, and loss of coordination.
Drops that obstruct your dog’s digestive system may also require surgery to solve. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, and low appetite, among others.
Final Thoughts
Cough drops can provide much-needed relief during cold and flu season, but they can have devastating consequences if your dog eats them. Pay close attention to the ingredients. Most cough drops will only cause gastrointestinal upset, but they can also cause choking or an obstruction in your dog’s intestines. Sugar-free brands with xylitol are highly toxic to dogs, and if your dog eats any of these cough drops, it’s best to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
