When you’re sick, the last thing that you want to worry about is if your medication or over-the-counter product will be safe for your pet. Unfortunately, there are some products that aren’t safe for dogs if they’re also the owner. Keep reading to find out more about whether or not nyquil is safe for dogs and other pets.
Table of Contents
What Is Nyquil?
Nyquil is an over-the-counter cold and flu medicine that comes in a liquid or pill form. It’s used for symptoms like coughing, headache, and fever. The medicine comes in different strengths and flavors, and it’s aimed at people of all ages. When you take nyquil, you’ll want to rest and drink lots of fluids because it’s a strong medication.
If you or someone in your house has a cold or the flu, it’s important to take care of yourself. You can use over-the-counter medicine to treat symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, cough, headache, body aches, and fever. Some medicines can be harmful to pets and children, so it’s important to keep them out of reach.
Is Nyquil Safe for Dogs?
Unfortunately, nyquil is not safe for dogs. The ingredients in nyquil are toxic to dogs and can even cause death if they’re ingested. When you’re sick, you don’t want to put your dog in danger.
It’s important to keep nyquil and other similar medications out of reach. If your dog does ingest nyquil, you need to give them immediate medical attention. Your veterinarian will most likely induce vomiting to remove the nyquil from your dog’s body.
The Dangers of Nyquil for Dogs
Nyquil is a combination of ingredients that aren’t necessarily dangerous for humans.
However, many of those ingredients are toxic for dogs if they’re ingested.
These ingredients include the following:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): This is a pain reliever that may be harmful if ingested with large doses.
- Dextromethorphan (DXM): This is a cough suppressant that is toxic to dogs.
- Ginger: This is a common ingredient in many foods but is toxic to dogs if ingested.
- Peppermint Oil: This is another common ingredient that is toxic to dogs if ingested.
- Phenylephrine: This is an ingredient that dilates blood vessels and is harmful to dogs if ingested.
Other Breathing Medications That Are Safe for Dogs
There are many different types of medications that you can take while you’re sick, but they aren’t safe for your dog. If you struggle with allergies, you may want to try a decongestant.
Decongestants help to reduce inflammation in the nose and throat, which can make it easier to breathe. Decongestants can also be taken if you have a cold and are dealing with a stuffy nose.
Some decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), are safe for dogs to ingest even if they’re high in dosage.
Other common medications that can be taken while you’re sick include cough suppressants and fever reducers. While these are safe for dogs, you should check the dosage to make sure that it’s appropriate for your pet’s size.
Concluding Words
When you’re sick, you want to be able to treat your symptoms and get better as quickly as possible. However, you also want to do everything you can to protect your dog from getting sick.
When you’re sick, try to keep your distance from your dog so that you don’t spread your germs. If your dog has been vaccinated, they should be able to fight off many of the illnesses that humans can catch.
Protect your dog from getting sick by keeping nyquil and other harmful medications out of reach. If your dog does end up ingesting nyquil or any other harmful product, seek medical attention right away. Your veterinarian will be able to help your dog and save their life.
