My Dog Ate Luden’s Cough Drops (Reviewed by Vet)

Reviewed By Evie Moloney, RCVS •  Updated: 03/01/23 •  3 min read
Dog Severe Toxicity Level
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dog ate Luden’s Cough Drops

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Has your dog eaten Luden’s cough drops? Are you worried that Luden’s cough drops might make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. It can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t have.

For that reason, we’ve done research about Luden’s cough drops and whether or not they can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!

What are Luden’s Cough Drops?

Luden’s is an American brand that used to create cough drops. These days, their products are called “throat drops.” The throat drops come in a variety of flavors, including original menthol, honey lemon, and a variety of fruit-flavored drops.

It is strongly recommended to contact a Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

The main ingredient in the throat drops is pectin, which works to relieve the swelling and irritation in the throat. The drops are called “demulcents,” and this refers to the pectin ingredient found in the drops.

Menthol is another ingredient used in some of Luden’s throat drops. Menthol is used to help relieve pain in the throat, where it acts as an oral anesthetic (it has a numbing effect on a sore throat).

Other ingredients in the drops include FD&C blue No 1, FD&C blue 2, FD&C red 4, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, caramel color, corn syrup, flavors, sodium acetate, soybean oil, sucrose, and water.

So, can Luden’s throat drops make your dog sick?

Luden’s Throat Drops & Dogs

The main ingredients (pectin and menthol) in Luden’s throat drops can cause your dog to develop an upset stomach and other digestive problems. These can include vomiting and diarrhea. If your dog ate a box of drops, he will probably vomit and have diarrhea. It is recommended to contact your veterinarian for individual advice for your pet’s size.

Another problem is if your dog has eaten the wrappers found on each drop. The wrappers can cause a major issue. The wrappers are dangerous if your dog has eaten a lot of the drops with their wrappers. The wrappers may bind together and form an obstruction anywhere in the dog’s digestive tract. This is a very dangerous condition, which can lead to death if not treated quickly. If this happens, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian for the next best step for your fur baby.

What are the Symptoms of Luden’s Throat Drops Ingestion in Dogs?

You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Luden’s throat drops:

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This could be a medical emergency. The main concern is that your dog may have developed a bowel obstruction, which may require emergency surgery. Your veterinarian will advise on the next best step for your pet after examining them.

Seeking prompt medical attention if you are concerned your pet has eaten Luden’s cough drops and/or their wrappers is strongly recommended. This should also give your pet the best chance at making a full recovery and being back to their old self once again!

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Evie Moloney, RCVS

This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming.

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