Welcome back. This week we will be skimming the surface on coughing in dogs. Coughing often does not show up conveniently during business hours, and it can be alarming to watch your dog struggle to breathe. Just like in people, a cough is not a disease itself, but a sign that something is irritating your dog’s airways or lungs. Understanding possible causes, and knowing when veterinary evaluation is important, can make a big difference for your pup’s health.
Where is the cough coming from?
The respiratory tract can be divided into two sections:
Upper airway (nose, throat, trachea): Coughs here often sound loud, harsh, or “honking.”
Lower airway (lungs and bronchi): Coughs from deeper in the chest are often softer or “wet,” sometimes sounding like your dog is trying to clear mucus.
Common Causes of Coughing
Infectious: Conditions like kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica) and canine influenza are common upper airway irritants. In otherwise healthy dogs, these illnesses often run their course without major intervention, though treatment can help your dog feel better and recover faster. In dogs with underlying health concerns (such as heart disease, immune suppression, or brachycephalic airway syndrome), treatment may be needed to prevent complications and support recovery.
Prevention: Vaccines are available for both Bordetella and canine influenza. These are especially important if your dog lives a “high risk” lifestyle—frequenting dog parks, doggie daycares, grooming salons, or boarding facilities. Vaccines don’t guarantee your dog won’t catch the disease, but they reduce the severity of illness if infection occurs and decrease contagiousness to other dogs.
Pulmonary: Bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma-like inflammation in the lungs cause deeper, wetter coughs. These conditions are commonly managed with veterinary care aimed at reducing inflammation or addressing infection.
Cardiac: Left-sided heart disease can cause the heart to enlarge. As the heart grows, it may push against or pinch the trachea, leading to coughing. In more advanced disease, fluid can also build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema), causing further coughing and difficulty breathing.
Structural: Conditions like laryngeal paralysis and collapsing trachea are common in some breeds. Structural conditions can be present at birth, but most develop with age and time.
What about reverse sneezing?
Sometimes what sounds like coughing is actually reverse sneezing. In this case, your dog pulls air in quickly through the nose, producing a snorting or honking sound. This usually happens when the soft palate or back of the throat is irritated. Though it can be dramatic, reverse sneezing is usually short-lived and harmless. Some dogs stop more quickly with gentle calming reasureance.
When to Be Concerned
See a veterinarian immediately if your dog shows signs of respiratory distress (gasping, open-mouth breathing, stretching neck to breathe) or you notice a change in gum/tongue color (blue, pale, muddy, or gray).
See your veterinarian today if:
Your dog is working hard to inhale (inspiratory effort) or exhale (expiratory effort)
There’s a change in vital signs (read more HERE about monitoring vitals)
Your dog can no longer do basic activities like eating, drinking, walking outside, or sleeping comfortably
Schedule an appointment soon if:
You notice nasal or eye discharge
Multiple dogs in your household are coughing (suggesting something contagious)
Your dog is also losing appetite, energy, or has other new symptoms
Should the cough be suppressed?
Productive coughs (like those associated with pneumonia): These are often not be suppressed, because the cough helps clear mucus and infection from the lungs. Unfortunately, this can mean some sleepless nights while your dog recovers.
Cardiogenic coughs (related to heart disease): In these cases, cough suppression may improve comfort because the underlying issue is not material within in the airway themselves.
What You Can Do at Home
While you’re waiting for your veterinary appointment, or after your dog has been diagnosed and is on treatment, supportive care at home can make your pet more comfortable:
Humidity: Use a humidifier to keep airways moist, but do NOT add essential oils. Distilled water only. Don’t have a humidifier, keep your pet in the bathroom with the door shut while you shower.
Reduce exertion: Bring food and water closer to your dog’s resting area. Carry your dog up stairs or on long trips outside if needed for bathroom breaks.
Keep calm: Stress and excitement make coughing worse. Provide a quiet environment; white noise or TV can help anxious dogs settle.
Monitor resting respiratory rate: Count breaths per minute when your dog is asleep or calm. A resting respiratory rate over 40 breaths per minute is considered abnormal, but in a sick dog already seen by a veterinarian, trend is more helpful.
Repositioning: If your dog is resting on one side and has not moved in 2 hours, gently pick them up and rest them on their other side.
Keep the face clean: Wipe away nasal or eye discharge with a warm, damp cloth to prevent irritation and crust buildup.
Dog Gear Considerations
If your dog starts coughing on walks, it might be time to rethink their gear or training routine. This happens a lot in smaller dogs who pull on the leash, all that pressure on their throat can really irritate the airway. Switching to a harness that takes pressure off the neck can make a big difference right away. Long term, teaching your dog not to pull (I know, not exactly a quick fix!) helps protect their airway and joints so they can stay comfortable and age gracefully. And no matter your dog’s size or setup, try to avoid yanking on the leash, it’s easy to cause injury that way and is best saved only for true safety emergencies.
Because coughing in dogs can have many causes, from mild self-limiting infections to serious heart or lung disease, it’s always safest to work with your veterinarian. With the right diagnosis and ongoing care, you can help your dog breathe easier.
Dog Sense contains information related to veterinary health care and does not replace veterinary advice. For any concerns about your dog's health, consult your veterinarian. Dog Sense content is not individual advice and should be considered in the context of your dog’s individual health needs.
Dr. C, DVM - a veterinarian who has worked in private practice and animal welfare while occasionally donating her time to research to improve the safety of animal products. Working in animal welfare inspired her to pursue opportunities that foster open educational dialogue that meet people where they are in their lives. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, hiking, and cooking with her family.