Robitussin is a well-known remedy for diminishing the severity of a cough or cold. This cough and cold suppressant is readily taken by people who are feeling under the weather, but is Robitussin toxic for dogs? If so, how much Robitussin is ok for dogs?
If you have a pet that is not feeling the best and you’re considering giving them Robitussin, be sure that you first read through this article so you understand the ins and outs of giving a dog this product.
What Is Robitussin And Is It Ok For Dogs
If your furry friend has a persistent cough then you may be searching for solutions to their ailment. One of the remedies that you may come across is giving a dog Robitussin.
Before supplying your furry friend with this medication, an owner will want to make sure that they understand Robitussin. So, let’s do a quick review of what Robitussin is.
The main component of Robitussin is guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is mixed with additional ingredients like dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, codeine, and/or acetaminophen.
Robitussin is sold in both liquid and tablet formulations.
This means that Robitussin can be formulated in multiple different ways. Here are the two main formulations of Robitussin:
Robitussin AC
Robitussin AC is a type of Robitussin that is not regarded as being safe for dogs. This is due to the ingredients within this version of Robitussin.
Codeine is one such ingredient within Robitussin AC. Such an ingredient is not safe for dogs, as it is a powerful pain reliever that is too potent and dangerous for your furry friend.
Robitussin DM
Robitussin DM is the other common type of Robitussin on the market. This formula of Robitussin features ingredients such as guaifenesin and dextromethorphan.
Can A Dog Have Robitussin?
Now to answer the question on the minds of many pet owners, “Can a dog have Robitussin?”. Well, that depends on the Robitussin that you’re interested in giving to a dog.
As you may have guessed, Robitussin AC is not safe for dogs. The codeine component within the formula of this cough medicine is unsafe for dogs, so pet parents should avoid giving Robitussin AC to their pets at all costs.
Now, Robitussin DM is a different story. The active ingredients within this cough suppressant are not inherently dangerous for dogs, so it is possible to give a dog Robitussin DM if reducing mucus obstruction is your goal.
Both the liquid and tablet versions of Robitussin DM are safe for dogs to ingest, however, the recommended dose of each will differ.
Keep reading to learn how to safely administer Robitussin DM to a dog.
How Much Robitussin DM Is OK For Dogs?
We’ve established that Robitussin DM is an acceptable supplement to provide dogs. Now you’re surely wondering how much of this remedy you can give to your furry friend.
The exact amount of Robitussin DM will depend on several factors:
- Breed of dog
- Size of dog
- Age of dog
- Severity of a dog’s cough
- Cause of a dog’s cough
Below are some guidelines about Robitussin doses for dogs. Be sure to follow these guidelines to prevent your dog from experiencing a Robitussin overdose.
Giving Robitussin To Dogs Under 5 Pounds
If you’re considering giving your tiny dog Robitussin, you may want to rethink your plan. Dogs that are less than 5 pounds should not be given Robitussin. This remedy could be toxic for such dogs, as the ingredients may be too potent for their bodies to process.
Liquid Robitussin Dosage For Dogs
If you purchase liquid Robitussin for your furry friend, know that it requires a different dose for dogs than Robitussin tablets require. Here are some specific guidelines about liquid Robitussin dosages that dog owners can follow:
Giving Liquid Robitussin To Small Dogs
As mentioned earlier, do not give liquid Robitussin to a dog that is less than 5 pounds. These dogs can easily overdose on even the smallest amount of Robitussin.
Dogs that are over 5 pounds but less than 10 pounds can receive small amounts–0.25 teaspoons–of liquid Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
If you own a dog that exceeds 10 pounds but is not quite 20 pounds, an optimal amount of Robitussin would be 0.5 teaspoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Dogs that weigh more than 20 pounds are on the large end of the small dog spectrum. If you have a dog that weighs more than 20 pounds but less than 30 pounds, provide it with 1 teaspoon of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours if it’s feeling under the weather.
Giving Liquid Robitussin To Medium Dogs
Medium dogs can handle more Robitussin than small dogs can, but medium dogs will still receive different Robitussin dosages depending on their weight.
A medium-sized dog that is more than 30 pounds but less than 40 pounds should receive 1.5 teaspoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Medium dogs that are more than 40 pounds but less than 50 pounds can tolerate a dosage of 2 teaspoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
A medium dog that weighs more than 50 pounds but less than 60 pounds can have anywhere from 2 to 3 teaspoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Lastly, dogs that weigh more than 60 pounds but less than 70 pounds can have one tablespoon of Robitussin once every 8 to 12 hours.
Giving Liquid Robitussin To Large Dogs
Unsurprisingly, larger dogs can handle far greater dosages of Robitussin than their smaller dog counterparts.
Starting with dogs who are between 70 to 80 pounds, give these pooches just over 1 tablespoon of Robitussin once every 8 to 12 hours.
Large dogs who are more than 80 pounds but less than 90 pounds can be given close to 1.25 tablespoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
A dog that is more than 90 pounds but not quite 100 pounds can receive 1.5 tablespoons of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
If you have a pooch that is more than 100 pounds, then begin by giving your dog 2 tablespoons of Robitussin DM every 8 to 12 hours. Increase the dose if the 2 tablespoons do not seem to be effective.
Robitussin Tablet Dosage For Dogs
Robitussin tablets are often easier to administer to a dog compared to liquid Robitussin, as it can be difficult to compel a dog to lap up the liquid remedy.
If you’re more keen on the idea of giving your dog a Robitussin tablet rather than liquid Robitussin, read on for the guidelines related to distributing such Robitussin to your furry friend:
Giving Robitussin Tablets To Small Dogs
Remember, a dog that weighs less than 5 pounds should not receive a Robitussin DM tablet. It doesn’t matter how small the dosage is, dogs of this size should not be receiving this product.
If you have a dog that weighs more than 5 pounds but less than 10 pounds, give them a small amount of Robitussin. A 2 to 5 mg tablet every 8 to 12 hours should be ideal.
Dogs that are between 10 to 20 pounds can tolerate more Robitussin, so go ahead and give these dogs tablets that contain 8 to 12 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Pooches that are 20 to 30 pounds will take a tablet that has a Robitussin dosage of 15 to 20 mg.
Giving Robitussin Tablets To Medium Dogs
Owners of pooches that weigh 30 to 40 pounds should be giving their dogs Robitussin tablets that contain 25 to 30 mg every 8 to 12 hours.
Medium dogs that weigh 40 to 50 pounds can be given a Robitussin tablet dosage of 35 to 40 mg every 8 to 12 hours.
Pooches that weigh anywhere from 50 to 60 pounds can have a dosage of 45 to 50 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Dogs that weigh 60 to 70 pounds may be provided with Robitussin tablets that have 55 to 60 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Giving Robitussin Tablets To Large Dogs
Large dogs that are on the small end of the large dog spectrum—70 to 80 pounds—can take 65 to 70 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
A large dog that weighs 80 to 90 pounds can follow the same guidelines as large dogs that weigh 70 to 80 pounds. Therefore, owners can give these dogs 65 to 70 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
Dogs that are 90 pounds up to 100 pounds can receive 90 to 100 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours when they’re consuming Robitussin in tablet form.
Lastly, if you have a dog that exceeds 100 pounds, give it 100 mg of Robitussin every 8 to 12 hours.
When Should I Give Robitussin To My Dog?
Owners can consider giving Robitussin to dogs suffering from some condition that creates a persistent cough.
Consider when Robitussin is prescribed to humans and apply those same rules and regulations to a dog. Dogs with mild cases of coughs or colds would probably be fine without the medication. In these cases, it is best to bypass Robitussin medication.
However, if owners genuinely believe that their dog is in a lot of discomfort due to their condition that is inducing coughing, then Robitussin can be considered.
Can Robitussin Be Used To Treat Kennel Cough?
When dog owners think about a condition that induces coughing in their dogs, kennel cough is often the first one that comes to mind.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease that impacts the respiratory systems of dogs. This sickness causes a dog to persistently make concerning-sounding hacking noises.
So, can Robitussin be used to treat this common, highly-contagious sickness known as kennel cough?
It turns out that Robitussin can be given to dogs that have kennel cough. However, dog owners should be aware that Robitussin is not a cure for dry kennel coughs.
Instead, Robitussin merely suppresses the impacts of kennel cough by limiting a dog’s coughing.
If dog owners are looking for something to cure their dogs of dry kennel coughs, Robitussin is not the answer to kennel cough.
How does Robitussin DM work in dogs
Robitussin works the same way for dogs as it does for humans-it works to suppress colds and a mild cough.
This supplement is able to accomplish this feat by loosening chest congestion and removing unwanted particles from throats, making coughing more effective at clearing out mucus obstruction in a dog’s respiratory system.
An important thing to note about Robitussin is that it provides relief by suppressing the need to cough. This supplement is not designed to be a cure for coughing or colds.
Though Robitussin can help provide relief to dogs, owners should not expect this supplement to end a dog’s coughing.
Considerations Before Giving A Dog Robitussin
Before you provide Robitussin to your canine companion, there are a few things that should be considered.
Consult A Veterinarian
After reading the above information, a pet owner should now be confident that Robitussin DM is an acceptable remedy that can mitigate the impacts of coughing in dogs.
Keep in mind that the advice offered in this article should merely be a basis for understanding how Robitussin works for dogs.
Before offering Robitussin to your furry friend, be sure to consult your local vet to confirm that Robitussin will be an acceptable and safe amount for a dog.
In addition to giving confirmation and peace of mind, you can receive your vet’s advice on what would be a safe dosage of Robitussin for your canine companion.
Lastly, it would be wise for pet owners to get a prescription for Robitussin from their veterinarian before providing this supplement to their dogs.
While plenty of good information about dogs consuming Robitussin exists on the internet, owners should not give this supplement to dogs without first talking to a trusted veterinarian.
Be Aware of Any Pre-Existing Conditions or Medications
Dog owners should be aware of any medical conditions with which their dog is affiliated. Knowing allergies, veterinary history, and hereditary medical conditions of your furry friend can protect them from harmful reactions to supplements such as Robitussin.
This is another reason why it is beneficial to visit a veterinarian before giving a dog Robitussin. You may think that Robitussin is safe for your dog based on its size and body weight, but the compound may actually be harmful to your specific dog due to a medical condition that your dog has.
Confirming the safety of Robitussin with a vet before administering the supplement to a dog can save you and your dog a lot of trouble.
Potential Side Effects Of Robitussin In Dogs
While side effects of dogs taking Robitussin are rare, remember that Robitussin is first and foremost a product for humans. Therefore, it is important that owners monitor how their dogs feel after taking this supplement.
Dog parents should be sure to monitor their furry friends closely after they consume Robitussin. They should carefully watch for any inconsistencies in behavior, as these could suggest that a dog is having an adverse reaction to Robitussin.
Here are some potential symptoms that have been noted in dogs that have taken Robitussin:
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Restless behavior
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Seizures
While some of these symptoms sound quite worrisome, remember that dogs rarely have adverse reactions to Robitussin. However, if you do believe that your dog is acting differently after consuming Robitussin or notice any of the above symptoms, they should be taken to a vet immediately.
Can I Give Other Cough And Cold Medications To My Dog?
Robitussin is the most well-known cough and cold suppressant available for purchase. However, this supplement is not the only cold and cough medication that can be purchased.
Therefore, dog owners may wonder if they can save a little money and purchase different cold and cough suppressants for their pooch.
Before buying a different supplement and giving it to a dog, owners should absolutely consult their veterinarian and secure their approval.
Failure to get approval from a veterinarian could be bad news for your furry friend. Remember, the other form of Robitussin—Robitussin AC—is toxic for dogs because it contains codeine.
Many other cough and cold supplements contain this ingredient, so if a dog were to ingest a cough suppressant with codeine, it could suffer severe health issues.
Dog owners should thoroughly research alternatives to Robitussin DM before giving any other option to their dogs. Additionally, owners should tell their vet exactly what kind of Robitussin alternative they plan to give their furry friend.
After describing an idea for an alternative cold and cough suppressant to a vet, owners need to be responsible and abide by the vet’s input.
Do I Need To Give My Dog Anything Besides Robitussin When It’s Coughing?
Some dog owners may wonder if Robitussin is a sufficient medication for a dog that is sick or coughing. As you may recall from earlier, Robitussin alone is not meant to cure coughing and colds. Therefore, owners will need to find additional help for their dogs.
When you realize that your furry friend has a persistent cough or cold, you should take them to the vet. Coughs that last for multiple days are especially notable, and it is certainly important to have dogs with such coughs see a veterinarian.
Vets may prescribe Robitussin to relieve a dog’s conditions if it is experiencing non-productive coughing, but it will never be prescribed as a treatment.
Though Robitussin is helpful for dogs, it will not put an end to their conditions.
Is It Best To Avoid Robitussin Altogether?
Now that you’ve read through an entire article about giving Robitussin to dogs, you may wonder if it is best to avoid this supplement entirely. After all, it is a bit of work to provide a dog with Robitussin.
The decision regarding whether to give a dog Robitussin is up to an individual to determine. Some like the idea of potentially providing relief to a dog’s throat and mitigating other signs of sickness.
For others, Robitussin is not worth the precautions that are necessary prior to administering this product to a dog.
If you do decide to give Robitussin to your canine companion, be sure that you avoid the AC variant at all costs, as the AC variant is not safe for your pooch and can cause congestive heart failure.