Can I Give My Dog Human Cough Medicine? Don't do this, Stone says. It's best to avoid all human cough medicine because some products include xylitol, the artificial sweetener that can threaten your dog's life. "Any medication that's got xylitol in it—it's very dangerous to dogs, and that's commonly in cough drops," Stone says.

‌ No, in general human cough medicine is not safe for dogs. ‌ Pet owners should know that human cough medications may contain ingredients in addition to dextromethorphan and guaifenesin that aren't safe for dogs.

In general, cough medicines designed for humans should not be given to dogs as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to them. Some common ingredients to avoid in cough medicine for dogs include acetaminophen, alcohol, and xylitol.