Can dogs eat cough drops?
This dog article will answer the major question, “Can dogs eat cough drops?” we will also talk about the bad effects of cough drops on your dog’s health, what happens if your dog consumes too many cough drops, and what you can do to save your dog from toxicity.
Can dogs eat cough drops?
No, dogs cannot eat cough drops. It is because the ingredients in the cough drops can cause toxicity in your dog. These ingredients are xylitol, sugar, menthol, artificial flavor, and benzocaine. These ingredients are toxic for your dog if consumed.
What are the bad effects of cough drops on your dog’s health?
Following are the bad effects of cough drops on your dog’s health:
Sugar
A high amount of sugar is not healthy for your dog because it can cause tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes in your dog.
Tooth decay is due to the extra sugar in the oral cavity that is utilized by the bacteria and converted into acids which can damage the enamel covering the teeth.
Moreover, diabetes is of two types. One is called type I diabetes in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin to control the blood sugar level in the body.
The second type is type II in which the body is unable to respond to the level of insulin in the blood. Type II is the most dangerous form of diabetes.
High amounts of sugar can also cause obesity in your dog. Obesity is the leading cause of canine heat problems. Many canine heart problems are deadly for your dog such as dilated cardiomyopathy. This type of condition is not treated easily and it took years to treat such conditions.
Xylitol
The next thing is xylitol which is an artificial sweetener. It is also used in human cough syrup to give it a flavor. Xylitol is safe for you but not for your dog.
Xylitol can cause a sharp decrease in the blood level of your dog which can lead to collapse if not treated in time.
Following are the major signs of xylitol toxicity in your dog:
- Seizures
- Imbalance
- Incoordination
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
You should look for these signs in your dog if you suspect that your dog has consumed an artificial sweetener.
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a form of local anesthetic which can numb the throat of your dog. This can cause aspiration pneumonia in your dog because the muscles of the throat become flaccid.
Moreover, it can also cause choking in your dog. Benzocaine itself is also toxic for your dog so you should be aware of its toxicity.
Artificial flavors
Artificial floors are also toxic for your dog to consume. Artificial flavors include chocolate. The chocolate flavor is toxic because chocolate has theobromine and other unhealthy ingredients which can cause toxicity in dogs.
Artificial flavors can also cause an upset stomach in your dog. An upset stomach is not a big problem but you should also treat it as the long-term upset stomach can cause weakness and emaciation in your dog.
Choking
Choking is another hazard that you should avoid. Many dogs consume too many drops of cough syrup which can cause choking in your dog. Many dogs consume the wrapper of cough syrup which further complicates the condition of your dog.
What are the outcomes of consuming cough drops for a long period?
If these clinical signs continue to persist, there are severe outcomes of consuming cough syrup.
If your dog continues to consume xylitol, it can cause liver and kidney dysfunction in the dog.
Consuming too much sugar for a long time can cause complete tooth decay and your dog will not be able to consume his favorite food.
Moreover, if your dog continues to consume benzocaine it can cause severe muscle flaccidity or paralysis in your dog. Your dog will not be able to eat anything.
If your dog continues to consume artificial flavors such as chocolate it can cause nervous system damage which your vet will not be able to reverse. It is better to avoid such conditions in your dog.
What can you do to save your dog from cough syrup toxicity?
The first thing you should do is check the ingredients of the cough syrup. If it has life-threatening ingredients you should be taking your dog to the vet immediately.
After arriving at the vet clinic you should tell the vet about the whole incident. He will be able to understand the condition of your dog.
Conclusion
In this brief discussion, we answered our important question, “Can dogs eat cough drops?” we also talked about the bad effects of cough drops on your dog’s health, what happens if your dog consumes too many cough drops, and what you can do to save your dog from toxicity.
References
https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/understanding-and-treating-cough-drop-toxicity-pets
