That persistent cough keeping your dog (and you) up at night? Yeah, we get it. Dog coughing is one of those symptoms that feels urgent but also confusing—is it serious? Will it go away on its own? Should you panic or wait it out?
Here’s the real talk: dog coughing can be caused by anything from a simple kennel cough to something more serious like heart disease. The good news? Most cases are treatable, and knowing what you’re dealing with makes a huge difference. As a vet tech who’s seen hundreds of coughing dogs come through the clinic, I can tell you that catching the cause early and acting fast often means your pup bounces back quickly.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the common reasons your dog is coughing, when to call your vet, what treatments actually work, and how to help your dog feel better at home. Let’s get your dog’s cough sorted.
Common Causes of Dog Coughing
Dog coughing isn’t one-size-fits-all. The cause matters because it determines whether your pup needs antibiotics, rest, medication, or a trip to the emergency clinic. Think of a cough like a check-engine light—it’s telling you something’s going on, but you need to figure out what.
Here are the most common reasons your dog is coughing:
- Kennel cough – Highly contagious, sounds like a goose honk, usually clears on its own
- Heart disease – More common in older dogs, often accompanied by excessive panting
- Allergies – Environmental or food-related, often seasonal
- Pneumonia – Bacterial or viral, can be serious
- Foreign object – Something stuck in the throat or airway
- Parasites – Heartworms or lungworms, especially in certain regions
- Collapsed trachea – Common in small breeds, causes a dry, honking cough
- Chronic bronchitis – Long-term inflammation, especially in older dogs
The tricky part? Some of these sound similar, and only your vet can figure out which one it is. But here’s what you can do right now: pay attention to how your dog coughs. Is it dry or wet? When does it happen most? Is your dog acting sick, or just coughing? These details matter.
Kennel Cough: The Most Common Culprit
If your dog sounds like a seal barking or a goose honking, you’re probably dealing with kennel cough. It’s the most common cause of dog coughing, and honestly, it’s not usually serious—but it’s annoying as hell.
Kennel cough is caused by a virus (usually parainfluenza or adenovirus) or bacteria (Bordetella). It spreads through respiratory droplets, which is why it rips through doggy daycare, shelters, and dog parks like wildfire. One dog coughs, another dog breathes it in, and boom—now they’re coughing too.
Here’s what kennel cough typically looks like:
- Dry, hacking cough that sounds like honking or seal barking
- Coughing fits, especially when excited or after exercise
- Usually starts 3-10 days after exposure
- Dog feels mostly fine otherwise (eating, playing, normal energy)
- Lasts 1-3 weeks, sometimes longer
The good news? Most kennel cough cases resolve on their own. Your dog’s immune system usually wins this battle. The bad news? Your dog will be contagious for weeks, so keep them away from other dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, vaccination against Bordetella can reduce the severity of kennel cough, though it doesn’t always prevent it entirely. If your dog goes to daycare, dog parks, or boarding facilities, the Bordetella vaccine is worth discussing with your vet.
Pro Tip: If your dog has kennel cough, use a humidifier in their room at night. The moisture helps soothe their irritated airway and can reduce coughing fits.
Heart Disease and Coughing
This is the one that scares dog owners, and rightfully so. Heart disease causes coughing because when the heart isn’t pumping efficiently, fluid backs up into the lungs. That fluid irritates the airway and triggers a cough.
If your dog is older (especially over 8 years old), small breed (Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Shih Tzus), or overweight, heart disease is on your radar. The cough from heart disease has a specific pattern:
- Dry or slightly wet cough
- Worse at night or when lying down
- Often accompanied by excessive panting or shortness of breath
- Dog may seem tired, reluctant to exercise, or faints
- Persistent, doesn’t go away in a week or two
The scary part? Heart disease isn’t curable, but it’s very manageable with the right medications. If you catch it early, your dog can live for years with a good quality of life. But you have to catch it first, which means getting to your vet sooner rather than later.
For more detailed information about how long dogs can live with heart issues, check out our guide on congestive heart failure in dogs. The timeline varies, but medication and lifestyle changes make a real difference.
Your vet will likely do chest X-rays and possibly an ultrasound (echocardiogram) to check your dog’s heart. It’s not expensive to rule out, and it’s absolutely worth it for peace of mind.
Other Serious Causes to Know About
Beyond kennel cough and heart disease, there are a few other reasons your dog might be coughing:
Pneumonia: Bacterial or viral pneumonia causes a wet cough, fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. This one needs antibiotics or antiviral medication. Don’t wait on this—call your vet immediately if you suspect pneumonia.
Collapsed Trachea: Small breeds are prone to this. The windpipe literally collapses, causing a dry, honking cough that sounds like a goose. It’s chronic and annoying but usually manageable with weight management, harnesses instead of collars, and sometimes medication.
Heartworms: If you live in a heartworm-endemic area and your dog isn’t on prevention, heartworms can cause coughing. This is serious and requires treatment. Prevention is way easier than treatment, which is why year-round heartworm prevention is non-negotiable in many regions.
Allergies: Environmental allergies (pollen, dust, mold) or food allergies can trigger coughing. If the cough is seasonal or happens after eating certain foods, allergies might be the culprit. Your vet can help narrow this down.
Foreign Object: If your dog swallowed something and it’s stuck in their throat or airway, they’ll cough. This is an emergency. If you suspect a foreign object, get to an emergency vet immediately.
The Merck Veterinary Manual has excellent information on respiratory conditions in dogs if you want to dig deeper into the clinical side of things.
When to Call Your Vet (Don’t Wait)
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is this a “wait and see” situation or a “call the vet now” situation?
Call your vet if your dog:
- Has a cough that lasts more than a week
- Is coughing up blood or bloody mucus
- Has difficulty breathing or is gasping for air
- Has a cough accompanied by fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite
- Is an older dog or has a known heart condition
- Coughs so hard they gag or vomit
- Has a wet cough (sounds like congestion) rather than dry
- Seems distressed, anxious, or in pain
Go to an emergency vet if your dog:
- Can’t catch their breath or is struggling to breathe
- Has pale or blue-tinged gums
- Collapses or faints
- Coughs up large amounts of blood
- Has a cough and is choking or gagging severely
When you call, describe the cough. “It sounds like a goose honk and started three days ago” is way more helpful than “my dog is coughing.” Your vet can often narrow down the cause just from the description.
Safety Warning: Never assume a cough will go away on its own. Some causes (pneumonia, heart disease, foreign objects) get worse without treatment. If you’re unsure, call your vet. That’s what they’re there for.
Home Care and Relief Strategies
While you’re waiting for your vet appointment or while your dog recovers from kennel cough, here’s what you can do at home to help them feel better:
Humidify the Air: Run a humidifier in your dog’s sleeping area. The moisture soothes irritated airways and can reduce coughing fits. If you don’t have a humidifier, run a hot shower and let your dog sit in the steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes.
Encourage Rest: Coughing is exhausting. Keep play sessions calm and short. Let your dog sleep as much as they want. Exercise and excitement trigger coughing, so a quiet day at home is better than a trip to the dog park.
Avoid Irritants: No smoke, perfume, cleaning chemicals, or strong scents. These irritate already-inflamed airways. If you use air fresheners or candles, put them away temporarily.
Use a Harness, Not a Collar: If your dog is coughing, a collar puts pressure on the trachea and makes coughing worse. Switch to a harness if possible.
Keep Water Available: Staying hydrated helps thin mucus and soothe the throat. Fresh water should always be available.
Honey: A spoonful of honey can soothe a cough (for dogs over 1 year old). It’s not a cure, but it can help. Don’t use honey for puppies under 1 year due to botulism risk.
Avoid Cough Suppressants Without Vet Approval: Some human cough medicines are toxic to dogs. Don’t give your dog anything without checking with your vet first.
Home care helps, but it’s not a replacement for a vet visit. Think of it as comfort care while you figure out what’s causing the cough.
Treatment Options That Work
Once your vet figures out what’s causing the dog coughing, treatment depends on the cause.
For Kennel Cough: Most cases resolve without treatment, but your vet might prescribe a cough suppressant (like dextromethorphan) to make your dog more comfortable. If it’s bacterial, antibiotics might be prescribed. Rest and time usually do the trick.
For Heart Disease: This requires medication, usually ACE inhibitors (like enalapril) and sometimes diuretics to remove fluid from the lungs. Your dog will need regular vet check-ups, and medication is lifelong. It’s manageable, but it’s not something you treat once and forget about. For detailed information, read our article on how long dogs live with congestive heart failure.
For Pneumonia: Antibiotics (if bacterial) or supportive care (if viral). Your dog might need rest, fluids, and possibly oxygen therapy if it’s severe. Hospitalization might be necessary.
For Collapsed Trachea: Weight management is the first line of defense. Medications like bronchodilators can help. Surgery is an option in severe cases, but it’s not always necessary.
For Allergies: Antihistamines, steroids, or allergy medications. Identifying and removing the allergen (if possible) helps too.
For Heartworms: Treatment is complex and can be risky. Prevention is way easier. If your dog has heartworms, your vet will discuss treatment options based on severity.
The bottom line: Different causes need different treatments. That’s why a vet diagnosis is crucial. You can’t treat heart disease with kennel cough remedies, and you can’t treat pneumonia by just waiting it out.
Prevention Tips
The best way to deal with dog coughing is to prevent it in the first place.
- Keep Vaccinations Current: Bordetella, parainfluenza, and adenovirus vaccines reduce the risk of kennel cough. If your dog goes to daycare or boarding, these are essential.
- Heartworm Prevention: Year-round prevention is the gold standard. A monthly pill or injection is way cheaper and easier than treating heartworms. Ask your vet which option works best for your area.
- Avoid Sick Dogs: If another dog is coughing, keep your dog away. Kennel cough spreads fast.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Overweight dogs are more prone to heart disease and respiratory issues. A healthy weight reduces coughing risk.
- Avoid Smoke and Air Pollution: Secondhand smoke irritates dog airways. Keep your home smoke-free.
- Use a Harness: Collars put pressure on the trachea. A harness is gentler, especially for small breeds prone to tracheal collapse.
- Regular Vet Check-ups: Older dogs and small breeds should see their vet at least twice a year. Early detection of heart disease or other issues makes a huge difference.
- Keep Your Dog Hydrated: Proper hydration supports respiratory health.
Prevention isn’t foolproof—some dogs will get kennel cough no matter what—but it stacks the odds in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does kennel cough last in dogs?
– Most kennel cough cases last 1-3 weeks. Some dogs recover in a week, others take a month. It depends on the dog’s immune system and whether they’re getting secondary infections. During this time, keep them away from other dogs because they’re contagious.
Can I give my dog cough medicine?
– Only if your vet prescribes it. Some human cough medicines are toxic to dogs. Dextromethorphan (found in many OTC cough syrups) can be used in dogs under vet guidance, but dosing matters. Always ask your vet before giving anything.
Is dog coughing contagious to humans?
– Most causes of dog coughing aren’t contagious to humans. Kennel cough bacteria (Bordetella) rarely affects people, and even then, only if someone is immunocompromised. But use basic hygiene—wash your hands after petting a coughing dog.
Why is my old dog coughing all of a sudden?
– Sudden coughing in older dogs often points to heart disease. As dogs age, heart problems become more common. Other possibilities include pneumonia, collapsed trachea, or kennel cough. Get your older dog to a vet soon if they suddenly start coughing.
Can allergies cause dog coughing?
– Yes. Environmental allergies (pollen, dust, mold) or food allergies can trigger coughing. If the cough is seasonal or happens after eating certain foods, allergies might be involved. Your vet can help identify the allergen.
What does a dog cough sound like with heart disease?
– Heart disease coughs are usually dry or slightly wet, worse at night or when lying down, and often accompanied by panting or shortness of breath. It’s different from the honking sound of kennel cough or the wet, congested sound of pneumonia.
Should I be worried if my dog coughs once in a while?
– An occasional cough isn’t usually a big deal. Dogs cough sometimes just like humans do. But if the coughing is frequent, persistent, or getting worse, that’s when you need to call your vet. The difference between “normal” and “concerning” is persistence and frequency.
Can I treat dog coughing at home without a vet?
– You can manage symptoms at home (humidifier, rest, honey), but you can’t diagnose the cause without a vet. Some causes (pneumonia, heart disease, foreign objects) need professional treatment. Home care is supportive, not curative. Don’t skip the vet visit.
Is dog coughing an emergency?
– It depends on the severity. A mild cough that lasts a few days probably isn’t an emergency. A cough accompanied by difficulty breathing, choking, blood, or collapse is absolutely an emergency. When in doubt, call your vet or emergency clinic.
