Dog Coughing

Coughing might be brief and harmless, or a sign of something more serious. Knowing when to worry - and how to help - is essential for your dog’s long-term health.

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Our Top 10 must-knows about dog coughing

Mild Coughs: A single cough after gulping water or light play isn’t usually a concern. Just like humans, dogs can get the occasional throat tickle that clears without issue.

Kennel Cough: If your dog’s cough sounds dry, hoarse, or like a goose honk, and they’ve been around other dogs, it’s likely kennel cough - contagious but usually treatable.

Allergy-Related: Environmental triggers like dust, smoke, or pollen can cause regular coughing. Dogs may also show watery eyes or sneezing alongside mild, repetitive coughs.

Infection Warning: A wet cough or gurgling noise could suggest fluid build-up in the lungs - common with pneumonia or bronchitis - and always warrants a same-day vet visit.

Heart Conditions: If your dog coughs after exercise or while lying down, especially at night, heart disease is a possible cause. Look for signs like lethargy or fast breathing.

Throat Irritation: Pulling on the lead, eating too fast, or inhaling dust can irritate the trachea. Occasional short coughs that don’t return are typically nothing serious.

Parasites Risk: Heartworm and lungworm infections may not cause obvious symptoms at first, but as they grow, they often result in chronic coughing and breathing difficulty.

Flat-Faced Dogs: Pugs, Frenchies, and Bulldogs often cough due to soft palate issues or narrow windpipes. Noisy breathing and snorting are common but shouldn’t be ignored.

Monitor Duration: Any cough that lasts longer than three days - or seems to worsen with time - must be checked by a vet to rule out infection, heart failure, or foreign objects.

Avoid Exposure: Dogs in group settings are more vulnerable to airborne illnesses. Vaccines and ventilation help, but if your dog coughs after a stay, keep them isolated.

From the experts: A persistent cough paired with fainting or wheezing could signal collapsing trachea or mitral valve disease. Ask for chest X-rays and bloodwork to identify hidden causes early.

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