Why Is My Dog Coughing?

Dog coughing is not always threatening, but you shouldn't ignore it. Often these are because of common issues and can be treated easily. But sometimes, they indicate a bigger problem.

In this article, we will discuss the reason behind dog coughing. We will explain what to do when your dog is coughing and how you can prevent it.

Key Takeaways:

• Coughing and gagging usually mean kennel cough, not a stuck object
• Dry, honking coughs are different from wet, phlegmy ones
• Nighttime coughing often points to heart disease
• Most coughs are not emergencies, but need monitoring
• Never give human cough medicine to your dog

Why Is My Dog Coughing?

Dog coughs come in several distinct types. A dry, honking cough sounds like a goose and points to kennel cough. A wet, phlegmy cough suggests fluid in the lungs from pneumonia or heart failure. A high-pitched, gagging cough often means tracheal irritation or collapse. A nighttime cough that worsens when lying down is suspicious for heart disease. Coughing with collapse or fainting is an emergency requiring immediate care.
Common reasons for dog coughing:

• Kennel cough: A highly contagious respiratory infection. Causes a dry, honking cough often followed by gagging or vomiting white foam. Dogs typically act normally otherwise.

• Tracheal collapse: The windpipe flattens, especially in small breeds like Yorkies and Pomeranians. Coughing is triggered by excitement, pulling on a collar, or drinking water.

• Heart disease: An enlarged heart presses against the windpipe. Coughing worsens at night or after lying down. Common in older small-breed dogs.

• Pneumonia: Infection causes fluid buildup in the lungs. Cough is wet and phlegmy. Often accompanied by fever, lethargy, and appetite loss.

• Foreign object: A stick, bone fragment, or toy piece stuck in the throat. Causes sudden, intense coughing, drooling, and pawing at the mouth. This is rare but serious.

• Allergies: Environmental allergens like pollen or dust trigger coughing. Usually seasonal and accompanied by sneezing or itchy skin.

• Lung tumors: Cancerous growths in the lungs cause chronic coughing. More common in older dogs. A cough may produce blood over time.

Note: This content is for informational purposes only. If your dog’s cough persists or worsens, consult a qualified veterinarian.

What You Can Do at Home When Your Dog Coughs?

Mild coughing from kennel cough or minor throat irritation often improves with simple home care. These remedies work best when your dog is eating, drinking, and acting normally otherwise. Always confirm with your vet before starting any home treatment, especially if the cough has lasted more than a few days.

Home remedies for dog coughing:

• Use a humidifier: Dry air irritates the throat and makes coughing worse. Run a cool-mist humidifier in your dog's sleeping area. No humidifier? Run a hot shower and sit with your dog in the steamy bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Switch to a harness: Collars put direct pressure on the windpipe and trigger coughing. A harness distributes pressure across the chest instead. This is especially important for small breeds prone to tracheal collapse.

• Try raw honey: Honey soothes irritated throats naturally. Give one teaspoon per day for large dogs or one-quarter teaspoon for small dogs. Mix it with warm water or let your dog lick it off a spoon. Do not give honey to diabetic dogs or puppies under one year old.

• Rest and isolation: Dogs with kennel cough need rest to heal. Avoid dog parks, daycare, and boarding facilities for at least 7 to 14 days. Kennel cough is highly contagious to other dogs.
  Keep your dog hydrated: Coughing dehydrates dogs through increased respiration. Ensure fresh water is always available. Add low-sodium chicken broth to water to encourage drinking.

• Avoid irritants: Secondhand smoke, candles, air fresheners, and strong cleaning products irritate airways. Provide a well-ventilated, smoke-free environment until the cough resolves.

When to See a Veterinarian Immediately?

Some coughing requires emergency veterinary care. Do not wait or try home remedies in these situations. If your dog has difficulty breathing, blue or gray gums, or collapses after coughing, go to an emergency vet immediately. Coughing up blood or pink frothy liquid is also an emergency. These signs indicate heart failure, severe pneumonia, or a blocked airway.

Schedule an appointment within 24 hours if coughing has lasted more than 7 days without improvement. Also see the vet if your dog is very young (under 6 months) or very old (over 10 years). Dogs with pre-existing heart conditions need prompt evaluation for any new cough. Nighttime coughing that disrupts sleep every night also requires veterinary attention. Your vet will listen to the heart and lungs and may recommend chest X-rays.

How to Prevent Dog Coughing?

Preventing coughs is much easier than treating them. Most coughs in dogs come from preventable causes like infectious diseases, collar trauma, or environmental irritants.

• Keep vaccines current: The kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella) is highly effective and required by most boarding facilities. The canine influenza vaccine also prevents a serious respiratory infection. Ask your vet which vaccines are right for your dog based on lifestyle and travel habits.

• Use a harness instead of a collar: This is critical for small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Pomeranians. These breeds are prone to tracheal collapse, where the windpipe flattens over time. Harnesses eliminate all pressure on the trachea and prevent this progressive condition.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Overweight dogs have excess fat around their chest and throat. This fat presses on the trachea and lungs, making coughing more likely. Obesity also worsens heart disease and tracheal collapse. Keep your dog lean with a proper diet and daily exercise. Monitor all activities with an indoor camera - Reolink E1 Zoom. It's a compact 4K camera with auto-tracking, 3X optical zoom, and smart detection.

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• Avoid crowded dog spaces during outbreaks: Dog parks, daycare centers, and kennels are hotspots for respiratory infections. Check with your vet about local outbreaks of kennel cough or canine influenza. Avoid these facilities entirely during active outbreaks.

• Eliminate airborne irritants: Secondhand smoke causes coughing in dogs just like it does in humans. Vape aerosols, incense, candles, air fresheners, and household cleaners also irritate airways. Provide a well-ventilated, smoke-free environment for your dog at all times.

• Schedule regular veterinary checkups: Annual exams catch heart disease, lung problems, and collapsing trachea early. Your vet can hear subtle changes in your dog's heart and lungs before you notice coughing at home. Early detection means simpler, less expensive treatment and better outcomes.

FAQs

Why does my dog have a cough but is acting normal?

Kennel cough and mild tracheal irritation often cause coughing without affecting appetite or energy levels. However, some serious conditions also start this way, so monitor closely for any changes.

When should I worry about my dog coughing?

Worry if coughing lasts more than 7 days, disrupts sleep, causes difficulty breathing, produces blood or foam, or occurs with lethargy or appetite loss.

Why does my dog keep coughing like something is in his throat?

This is usually kennel cough, which causes a dry, honking cough that sounds like a stuck object. True throat obstructions are rare and cause panic, gagging, and excessive drooling.

Conclusion

Your dog will cough at some point. Probably many times. But if the coughing lasts for a few days, you should schedule a vet check. Sometimes, it's just an irritation in the throat, but sometimes, it could be a worse condition. Your veterinarian will diagnose the issue and recommend what you should do. We have also shared how you can prevent dog coughing by taking some simple measures.