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“Should I take my dog to the vet?” \u2014 that’s the worry on every pet owner’s mind when their dog suddenly starts coughing. Is it choking on something? Or did they eat too fast and now can’t stop coughing and retching? There are actually many possible causes, and the right response depends on what’s behind the cough. This article covers the symptoms to watch for, what to do when your dog won’t stop coughing, and how to prevent and treat dog coughing.<\/p>\n
Just like people can cough from a cold or choke on something, there are many possible reasons why dogs cough. They generally fall into 3 categories:<\/p>\n
Pathological coughing is coughing caused by illness. Conditions such as kennel cough<\/a> (an infectious respiratory disease), heart disease or failure, heartworm<\/a> or parasite infection, tracheal collapse, lung cancer, or bronchitis can all cause coughing in dogs. Treating the underlying condition is the key to relieving the cough effectively.<\/p>\n Physical coughing is a temporary cough caused by physical pressure on the airways \u2014 for example, a harness that’s too tight restricting your dog’s breathing, or a foreign object entering the airway. It usually eases once the source of pressure is removed.<\/p>\n Beyond illness and airway pressure, emotional stress or environmental irritants \u2014 such as allergens or other uncomfortable factors in your dog’s surroundings \u2014 can also trigger coughing.<\/p>\n Depending on what’s causing the cough, the way your dog coughs will look and sound different. By observing the type of cough, you can start to narrow down the likely cause and plan the best next steps for care and treatment.<\/p>\n A dry cough sounds sharp and brief, without any wet, gurgling sound from secretions in the airways. This type of cough may be caused by a foreign object in the airway (choking), or could point to acute laryngitis or tuberculosis.<\/p>\n In contrast to a dry cough, a wet cough sounds muffled and prolonged, often with a wet, gurgling sound and discharge \u2014 like saliva or nasal fluid \u2014 coming from the nose. After coughing, your dog may swallow, and vomiting before or after the cough isn’t uncommon. This type of cough is highly likely to be caused by a respiratory illness such as pneumonia or bronchitis.<\/p>\n A painful cough is accompanied by obvious signs of distress \u2014 such as spasms, stretching out the neck, or struggling in a panicked or agitated way. If your dog appears to be in pain while coughing, it may be due to pleuritis, aspiration pneumonia (inflammation caused by a foreign object entering the airway), pericarditis, or rib fractures.<\/p>\n Coughing acts like a “warning light” \u2014 a signal from the body that something’s off. To prevent coughing, start by eliminating the physical, psychological, and environmental factors in your dog’s daily life that could trigger it. For example:<\/p>\n Here are some of the most common questions pet owners have when their dog starts coughing \u2014 hopefully they can clear up some of your concerns:<\/p>\n Q:<\/b> Does my dog need to see a vet right away?<\/p>\n A: If your dog shows serious symptoms \u2014 such as coughing with pain or blood, difficulty breathing (e.g., blue-tinged tongue), loss of consciousness, or persistent coughing over a long period<\/b> \u2014 seek veterinary care immediately. Otherwise, you can observe the situation and try to rule out foreign objects or allergens first.<\/p>\n Q:<\/b> How is dog coughing treated?<\/p>\n A: Treatment depends on what’s causing the cough \u2014 your vet will diagnose the underlying issue and tailor the approach accordingly. This may involve removing a foreign object, surgery (such as for tracheal collapse), medication (such as for chronic heart disease), or environmental changes<\/b>.<\/p>\n Q:<\/b> How often is it normal for a dog to cough?<\/p>\n A: There’s no defined “normal” frequency for dog coughing. If you notice your dog coughing more frequently, coughing for more than a week, or coughing alongside other unusual symptoms like difficulty breathing<\/b>, treat it as a health warning sign and see a vet promptly to rule out heart disease or respiratory conditions.<\/p>\n “If your dog is recovering from an illness, or you’re planning to travel and can’t be there in person, we recommend booking a professional in-home pet sitter<\/a><\/strong> for at-home care<\/strong> \u2014 so your dog gets attentive support and health monitoring in a familiar environment. Fluv<\/a> has a team of experienced dog sitters ready to look after your pet’s health and wellbeing.”<\/p>\n #Give your pet the best \u2014 and the best fit<\/p>\n Got an older dog with a cough who needs constant care? \ud83c\udf81 New members \u2014 enter promo code<\/strong><\/p>\n NEW95<\/p>\n Book now and enjoy 5% off<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \ud83d\udc49 Looking for the perfect professional pet sitter for your furry friend?<\/p>\n Download the Fluv app now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n As the founder of Fluv, Candace has combined sharp business vision with strong execution to build the most trusted and widely used pet care platform in Taiwan.<\/p>\n Further reading<\/p>\nPhysical coughing<\/h3>\n
Other causes of coughing<\/h3>\n
Why does my dog keep coughing and retching? 3 different types of dog coughing explained<\/h2>\n
Dry cough<\/h3>\n
Wet cough<\/h3>\n
Painful cough<\/h3>\n
How to prevent dog coughing? Daily care tips to keep your dog’s cough at bay<\/h2>\n
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My dog keeps coughing like something’s stuck \u2014 frequently asked questions about dog coughing<\/h2>\n
Learn more everyday dog care tips<\/h2>\n
\n\n\nFluv special offers | Limited-time deals for pet lovers<\/h2>\n
\nBook a dedicated sitter on Fluv today and give your pet the attentive, watchful care they deserve!<\/p>\n\n
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<\/b>Fluv founder Candace Chen<\/h2>\nForbes 30 Under 30 Asia<\/a> \uff5c 2024 Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow<\/a><\/h3>\n
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