My Dog Ate a Cough Drop: Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

By Visnja Radosavljevic · Reviewed & fact-checked by Dr. Lorna WhittemoreVet Approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked byDr. Lorna WhittemoreVeterinarianLorna is a Scottish vet who has lived, studied, and worked on three continents and has a love of travel. With 20 years of experience in small animal medicine andsurgery, both in the charity and private sector. Gaining a further qualification in feline medicine has given her a continued sense of amazement at the fabulous animals. Currently living in Cape Town, South Africa, with her family and expanding number of pets allows her to spend time in and around nature where she is at her happiest. With a love for learning, Lorna is enjoying researching, editing, and fact-checking for Hepper veterinary editorial team and truly feels that she has the best job in the world!View authorThe information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Read about our vetsUpdated on February 3, 2026

In this article

What Is a Cough Drop?Why Do Dogs Eat Cough Drops?Are Cough Drops Harmful?Signs of Cough Drop Toxicity What to Do if a Dog Eats Cough Drops?Care Tips FAQ

During cold months and the flu season, many people keep their cold-prevention essentials, such as cough drops, and hand sanitizer, nearby. Keeping these items in your home is convenient, but they may not be suitable to keep around if you have pets, especially dogs.

Dogs are curious by nature, and they have strong senses, which is why they sometimes are drawn to the scent of cough drops. If you leave cough drops around your home, your dog might be tempted to try them.

If your dog eats cough drops, you should remain calm and react promptly because ingesting them could harm your furry friend. Most of the time, the ingredients inside cough drops are toxic to pets and can cause mild to severe health damage.

Read on to learn more about cough drops, their effect on dogs after ingestion, and what to do if your dog eats a cough drop.

What Is a Cough Drop?

Cough Drops are candy-like medications people use to relieve coughing symptoms and soothe or cool their sore throats. They come in various flavors, and there are types suitable for adults and kids.

When you suck a cough drop, it dissolves in your mouth, and the medicine inside it relieves coughing. Since this is a medication, it contains various ingredients safe for humans, but these are not suitable for your canine.

girl taking cough drop — Image by: PHENPHAYOM, Shutterstock

Why Do Dogs Eat Cough Drops?

There’s no particular reason why dogs eat cough drops, although it’s probably because of their scent. The only thing you should know is that most dogs are drawn to cough drops and will try to taste them if they see or smell them. Because of that, you should never keep them around your pet.

Are Cough Drops Harmful to Dogs?

Cough drops are safe for human use, but if your dog ingests them, they could potentially cause harm. Cough drops contain ingredients that can cause toxicity in dogs, which can cause multiple health problems.

Here’s a list of common cough drop ingredients harmful to dogs:

Sugar — Although not toxic for dogs, high amounts of sugar can cause health issues.
Menthol — Irritates your dog’s digestive system and causes various health problems.
Eucalyptus oil — Can cause gastrointestinal problems.

All of the ingredients above can cause gastrointestinal problems in your dog. Also, it’s not uncommon for cough drops to also include one of the following ingredients:

Benzocaine — This is a local anesthetic found in cough drops. It causes various problems, from mild gastrointestinal to severe issues that cause anemia. If your dog ingests cough drops in smaller amounts, it will likely experience mild symptoms, but consumption in large amounts can be very harmful to your dog.
Xylitol —People often use this as a sweetener; it’s a common ingredient in cough drops and is toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause potential liver injury and hypoglycemia.

What Are the Signs of Cough Drop Toxicity?

multicolor cough drops up close — Image Credit: Maher Mhl, Shutterstock

If your dog eats a small number of cough drops, it might not experience any signs of cough drop toxicity. However, ingestion in large amounts or by a small dog can cause multiple health problems due to so many harmful ingredients.

Here’s a list of some of the most common signs of cough drop toxicity:

Drowsiness
Confusion
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seizures
Depression
Weakness
Numbness in throat
Aspiration risks
Fast breathing
Hypothermia
Face or jaw swelling
Choking
Coma

Occasionally, your dog might even experience bowel obstruction if it also consumes cough drop wrappers.

The signs may be less noticeable in healthy dogs and more severe in young puppies, old dogs, and dogs with previous health conditions.

What Should I Do if My Dog Eats Cough Drops?

One of the most important things you should do when your dog eats cough drops is to remain calm. Try to find the cough drop box and check the ingredients. If possible, also investigate the number of cough drops your dog ate and the time when the incident happened.

Some of the time, dogs may showcase signs of cough drop toxicity straight away, while sometimes, they may not occur for a couple of days. Because of that, it’s best to promptly contact your vet or the pet poison helpline to get advice on your next actions.

When your dog consumes cough drops, time is of the essence to prevent severe health problems. In case you notice any of the signs of cough drop toxicity or see your dog eating cough drops immediately take your furry friend to the vet.

How Do I Care for a Dog Suffering from Cough Drop Toxicity?

How you’ll care for a dog suffering from dox toxicity will depend on the advice and treatment you get from your vet. Depending on the severity of the cough drop toxicity, the vet can prescribe different medications, and your dog will probably have to rest for a while.

It’s also essential to practice prevention and keep cough drops away from your pet in the future. Keep them in a safe and hard-to-reach area, preferably in a medicine cabinet, to prevent your dog from eating them. Also, remember to throw away your trash if you’ve tossed any old cough drop packages or containers.

blue cough drops — Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions

Eating How Many Cough Drops Will Cause Cough Drop Toxicity in Your Dog?

There’s no precise information on how many cough drops will cause cough drop toxicity in your dog because even one cough drop could potentially be harmful depending on the individual circumstances. Obviously, the more cough drops your dog eats, the higher the chances of your dog experiencing cough drop toxicity.

Will Menthol and Eucalyptus Oil in Cough Drops Hurt Dogs?

Menthol and eucalyptus oil are common ingredients in cough drops, which are harmful to your dog.

When your dog consumes menthol, it will typically showcase signs of menthol poisoning a couple of hours after ingestion. The signs of menthol poisoning include:

Depression
Nausea
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain

When your dog consumes eucalyptus oil, it will typically showcase signs of eucalyptus poisoning, including:

Drowsiness
Confusion
Coma
Seizures

Conclusion

A dog eating a cough drop can experience mild to severe health problems. Although this sounds scary, you should remain calm and help your dog as quickly as possible instead of being worried. Remember to check the number of cough drops that are missing and try to verify the timeframe when the incident happened. Reach out to your vet or pet poison helpline as soon as possible and discuss the treatment options for your dog.

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