Why Is My Dog Coughing?

Does your dog sound like it's trying to clear its throat? Maybe it lets out a little bark-like cough, or it sounds like it's about to throw up? Coughing in dogs might sound funny or even a little scary, especially if your furry friend keeps doing it over and over again. But don’t worry — just like people, dogs can cough for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s nothing serious, and other times, it means your pup might need some extra care. Best comfortable harness if your dog caughs.

Let’s explore why dogs cough, what the cough might mean, and what you should do if your four-legged friend sounds a little under the weather.

Understanding Dog Coughs – What Does It Mean?

Is a Dog’s Cough Like a Human Cough?

Imagine you’ve just run outside on a dusty day, and suddenly you start coughing. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey! Something doesn’t belong in my lungs!” Dogs are just the same. Their cough is a signal that something is irritating their airways — the nose, throat, or lungs.

Dogs cough for lots of reasons. Maybe they sniffed something dusty or barked too much. Maybe there’s a bug (not the creepy crawly kind — the sick kind) making its way through their body. Whatever it is, a cough is how your dog tries to get rid of it.

But a dog’s cough can sound different depending on what’s wrong. Sometimes it’s loud and sharp, like a honk. Other times it’s quiet and wet, like someone slurping water. And sometimes, it sounds like your dog is trying to throw up — but nothing comes out!

Why It's Important Not to Ignore a Dog's Cough

Even though a cough might seem harmless, it can be your dog’s way of saying, “I don’t feel good.” Some coughs are just little sneezes or tickles. But others could mean your dog has something more serious, like heart problems or a lung infection. That’s why it’s always best to keep an eye (and ear) on your pup. If the cough won’t go away or your dog starts acting tired, stops eating, or breathes weirdly, it’s time to get help.

Common Reasons Why Dogs Cough

1. Heart Disease

Think of your dog’s heart like a pump. If the pump gets too weak or has a broken part, it can’t move blood the right way. When that happens, fluid can build up in the lungs. That extra fluid makes it harder to breathe, so your dog coughs to try to clear it.

Dogs with heart disease usually have soft, steady coughs. You might hear it more at night or when your dog lies down. It’s often worse if your dog tries to run or play. They may also seem sleepy, tired quickly, or don’t want to go for walks.

If your vet says your dog has heart disease, don’t panic! There are medicines that can help. The key is catching it early and helping your dog live comfortably.

2. Pneumonia in Dogs

Pneumonia is a big word that means the lungs are inflamed or filled with yucky stuff like mucus. This makes it super hard to breathe. Dogs with pneumonia usually sound like they’re coughing up slime. Their cough is wet and gooey.

Pneumonia can come from a virus, bacteria, or even from choking on something that went the wrong way. A dog with pneumonia will probably be very tired, have a fever, and might not eat. If your dog feels hot, acts sad, and has a gross-sounding cough, it’s time for a trip to the vet.

The vet might give your dog medicine, rest time, and lots of fluids. Some dogs need to stay at the vet’s office for special care. But with the right help, they can get better.

3. Kennel Cough (Doggy Cold)

Kennel cough is like a cold for dogs. Just like you might catch a cold at school, dogs can catch kennel cough at places where lots of dogs hang out, like daycare, parks, or grooming salons. It spreads easily when dogs sniff each other or share bowls and toys.

Kennel cough sounds like a loud, dry, hacking cough. Sometimes, it’s so strong that your dog might gag or throw up a little. It can sound a lot worse if your dog is on a leash and pulls too hard.

Luckily, kennel cough often gets better on its own, but your vet might still give cough medicine or antibiotics to help. And guess what? There’s even a vaccine to help keep your pup safe from it in the future!

4. Tracheal Collapse (Wobbly Windpipe)

The trachea is a tube in your dog’s neck that helps them breathe. But sometimes in small dogs — like Chihuahuas, Pugs, or Shih Tzus — that tube gets weak and flattens. That’s called tracheal collapse.

If your dog has this, they’ll cough a lot, especially when they’re excited, hot, or pulling on the leash. It sounds like a honk or like your dog is trying to clear something from their throat over and over again.

Dogs with tracheal collapse might also have trouble breathing and get tired easily. The vet can help with medicine, changing your dog’s diet if they’re overweight, and maybe even surgery in really bad cases.

5. Heartworm Disease (Worms in the Heart)

Heartworms are sneaky little pests that mosquitoes can pass to your dog. These worms grow inside your dog’s heart and lungs and make it super hard for them to breathe.

If your dog has heartworms, they might have a quiet, dry cough that doesn’t go away. They may seem tired, not eat much, or lose weight. In really bad cases, heartworm can make your dog’s belly swell up with fluid.

But here’s the good news: you can prevent heartworm with monthly medicine your vet gives you. If your dog does get heartworms, the treatment can take a while, but many dogs get better with help.

6. Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)

Yep, dogs can catch the flu too! Canine influenza is a virus that spreads quickly from one dog to another, especially in places where lots of dogs are together — like boarding kennels, dog parks, or training classes. It’s kind of like when you catch a cold from a classmate at school.

If your dog has the flu, their cough might sound wet or dry, depending on how bad the infection is. They might also have a runny nose, watery eyes, or even a fever. Just like us, dogs with the flu feel tired, don’t want to eat much, and might want to sleep a lot.

Treatment usually involves rest, medicine to help with symptoms, and lots of love. Most dogs get better in 2–3 weeks, but it’s still important to keep them away from other pets while they’re sick — dog flu spreads fast! Your vet can also give your dog a flu vaccine to help prevent it next time.

7. Allergies and Irritants

Sometimes, your dog might not be sick at all — their cough could be from something in the environment. Just like people sneeze when there’s too much dust or pollen, dogs can cough if their nose or throat gets irritated.

Things that can cause a dog to cough include:

• Dust from cleaning

• Smoke or strong smells

• Pollen from flowers or trees

• Mold or mildew

• Perfumes or sprays

If you notice your dog coughing only after you vacuum or spray air freshener, it might be allergies or sensitivity. Try to keep your home clean, but also avoid using strong-smelling cleaners or sprays around your dog. You can also ask your vet if allergy meds or air purifiers could help.

Different Types of Coughs in Dogs

Not all coughs are the same, and figuring out what the cough sounds like can help you understand what’s going on. Let’s break it down into the most common types.

Dry and Scratchy Cough

This kind of cough sounds sharp and raspy, kind of like a loud hiccup or bark. Dry coughs are often a sign of kennel cough or allergies. It might sound like your dog is trying to bark but can't get the sound out. If your dog pulls on the leash while walking and starts coughing, it could also be from irritation in the throat.

Dry coughs are annoying, but not always dangerous. Still, if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, it’s smart to get it checked out.

Wet and Gooey Cough

A wet cough sounds bubbly, like your dog is gargling or trying to get rid of thick goo from their throat. This kind of cough usually means there’s mucus or fluid in the lungs. Dogs with pneumonia or a bad flu might have this kind of cough.

Wet coughs are more serious than dry ones and often come with other signs, like being sleepy, not eating, or breathing heavily. If your dog sounds like this, don’t wait — call your vet!

Honking or Gagging Cough

This cough sounds weird — kind of like a goose honking or your dog trying to spit something up. It's a strong, harsh sound and often comes in bursts. This is the classic sound of a dog with tracheal collapse, especially in small dogs.

Your dog might also gag, like they’re about to throw up. If your dog is coughing like this often, especially after excitement or exercise, it’s time for a vet checkup.

What Should I Watch For?

Even if your dog’s cough doesn’t seem too bad, it’s important to be on the lookout for any changes or warning signs. Dogs can’t tell us what hurts, so it’s up to us to be their voice.

Symptoms That Need a Vet Visit

Call your vet if you notice:

• Coughing for more than a few days

• Coughing at night or when resting

• Trouble breathing or wheezing

• Loss of appetite or energy

• Fever (your dog feels hot or looks tired)

• Coughing up blood, mucus, or foam

• Swollen belly or gums that look blue

These signs can mean something more serious is going on, and your vet can help figure out the cause.

What to Tell Your Vet

When you bring your dog to the vet, it helps if you share as much detail as possible. Here’s what they’ll want to know:

• What does the cough sound like? (Dry, wet, honking, etc.)

• When did it start?

• Does it happen at certain times (like at night or after exercise)?

• Has your dog been around other dogs?

• Any other symptoms (runny nose, tiredness, not eating)?

All of this info helps the vet find out what’s causing the cough and how to treat it best.

How to Help Your Coughing Dog at Home

If your dog has a cough, there are some easy things you can try at home to help them feel better — especially while waiting to see the vet. Remember, these tips don’t replace professional care, but they can make your pup more comfortable.

Make the Air Easier to Breathe

Just like a humidifier helps people with stuffy noses or dry throats, it can do the same for dogs. Adding moisture to the air can help soothe your dog’s irritated throat and make coughing less painful.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use a cool-mist humidifier in the room where your dog sleeps.

• Let your dog sit in the bathroom with the hot shower running (not in the shower!) so they can breathe in the warm steam.

• Avoid using strong cleaning products or air sprays while your dog is sick — these can make things worse.

If your dog has allergies, keeping the house free from dust and smoke is super important. Open windows for fresh air (if it’s not pollen season), vacuum often, and don’t let anyone smoke around your pup.

Try Soft Foods or Soothing Treats

If your dog’s throat hurts, eating dry kibble might feel like chewing on rocks. Instead, you can:

• Soften their food with warm water or low-sodium chicken broth.

• Give them soothing treats like plain cooked pumpkin or a lick of honey (if they’re over 1 year old and not allergic).

• Avoid hard, crunchy treats until the cough gets better.

Make sure your dog stays hydrated. Offer fresh water often, or try adding ice cubes to the bowl if your pup likes chewing them. Fluids help loosen mucus and keep the throat moist.

When Is It an Emergency?

Sometimes a cough is just a little tickle, but other times, it’s your dog’s way of saying, “Help me!” So how do you know when to rush to the vet?

Signs It Could Be Serious

Here are warning signs that mean your dog needs medical attention right away:

• Breathing trouble: If your dog is gasping, breathing with an open mouth, or breathing really fast.

• Blue gums or tongue: This means they aren’t getting enough oxygen — super dangerous!

• Coughing up blood or foam: Blood is always a red flag.

• Swollen belly: This could be from fluid buildup and a sign of heart failure.

• Extreme tiredness: If your dog can’t walk or get up easily.

If you see any of these, don’t wait. Get your dog to the vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.

When to Call the Vet Right Away

Even if your dog isn’t showing super scary signs, call your vet if:

• The cough lasts more than 3 days.

• The cough gets worse or happens more often.

• Your dog starts acting different — like not eating or hiding.

• Other pets in your home start coughing too.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your furry family member.

How Vets Treat Coughing Dogs

Once you get your dog to the vet, they’ll do a full check-up to figure out the cause of the cough. This may include:

• Listening to your dog’s heart and lungs

• Taking X-rays of the chest

• Doing blood tests

• Checking for worms or infections

Medicine, Rest, and Sometimes Surgery

Depending on what’s causing the cough, your vet might:

• Prescribe antibiotics (for pneumonia or kennel cough)

• Give heart meds (for heart disease)

• Start cough suppressants (to make your dog more comfortable)

• Use dewormers (for heartworm)

• Recommend surgery (in severe cases like tracheal collapse)

No matter what the treatment, most dogs need plenty of rest, soft food, and lots of love to recover.

How Long Recovery Takes

Some coughs go away in a few days, while others — like pneumonia or heartworm — may take weeks or even months to fully heal. The key is following your vet’s instructions closely:

• Give all medicines on time

• Keep your dog calm and rested

• Return for check-ups if needed

With your help, your dog will be back to tail-wagging in no time!

Preventing Coughs Before They Start

The best way to protect your pup from coughing sicknesses? Stop them from happening in the first place!

Vaccines Can Help

Ask your vet about these important shots:

• Bordetella vaccine: Helps prevent kennel cough

• Canine flu vaccine: Stops dog flu from spreading

• Heartworm prevention: Monthly meds to stop heartworm disease

These vaccines don’t work like magic shields, but they make your dog way less likely to get sick.

Keeping Your Dog Away from Sick Pups

If you hear about a kennel cough or dog flu outbreak in your area, try to:

• Avoid dog parks, daycares, or boarding places

• Keep your pup at home for a few weeks

• Make sure other dogs in your house are healthy too

It’s kind of like staying home from school when everyone’s got the flu — better safe than sorry.

Conclusion – Keeping Your Pup Healthy and Happy

When your dog coughs, it’s not always a big deal — but it’s never something to ignore. From allergies to infections to heart issues, there are many reasons why your furry friend might be hacking or wheezing.

The best thing you can do is pay attention, look for other signs, and talk to your vet if you're unsure. Whether it's rest, medicine, or just avoiding dusty rooms, there’s always something you can do to help.

Your dog counts on you for everything — including keeping them safe and healthy. And remember, a happy dog is a healthy dog! Read more related topics.

FAQs

Why is my dog coughing but seems fine?

Sometimes a dog might cough due to dust, excitement, or allergies — and still act totally normal. If the cough doesn’t go away in a few days, check with your vet just to be safe.

Can I give my dog honey for coughing?

Yes! If your dog is over 1 year old and not allergic, a spoon of honey mixed with warm water can soothe their throat. But always ask your vet first before trying home remedies.

Can my dog’s cough be contagious to other dogs?

It depends. Kennel cough and dog flu are contagious, while things like allergies or heart disease aren’t. Keep your coughing dog away from other pups until your vet says it’s okay.

Is it okay to wait and see if the cough goes away?

You can wait a day or two if the cough is mild and your dog seems fine otherwise. But if it gets worse or lasts more than 3 days, don’t delay — call the vet.

How can I tell the difference between a normal cough and a scary one?

Listen closely! Honking, wet, or deep coughs are more serious, especially if they come with tiredness, breathing problems, or loss of appetite. When in doubt, let your vet check it out.