What can you give dogs for a cough

Dogs can develop a cough for several reasons. Canine coughs often sound worse, and this condition doesn't typically require medical attention.

While there is a chance that it is a symptom of a more serious health problem, you can try these home remedies for dog cough before seeking veterinary care.

It is important to note that if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms (like fever, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea), you need to call your vet as soon as possible.

If there are no other symptoms and your dog acts like himself, you can give it a few days before scheduling an appointment.

If the cough lasts more than 5 days without getting any better, you should call your vet just in case.

What would you do if your human child wasn't feeling well? You'd encourage him to get as much rest as possible and drink plenty of fluids.

You should do the same with your dog. Pair this with one of the home remedies below, and your dog should be feeling better in no time.

4 Home Remedies for Dog Cough

1. Steam/Humidifier

If your dog is coughing because the air is dehydrated, a humidifier can make a big difference.

Putting a humidifier near your dog's kennel or bed will help moisturize the air, which means his cough will be a little less dry and less uncomfortable.

It also helps prevent his nose and eyes from getting dried out.

If you don't have a humidifier, you can bring your dog into the bathroom with you while you take a shower. The steam from the hot water will do the same thing for your dog's sore, dry throat.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils seem to be popping up everywhere. They're used in many over-the-counter coughs and cold remedies for humans.

Recent research shows that several essential oils are effective at relieving cough symptoms.

To help a coughing dog, you can spray his crate or bedding with a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender.

This may help to reduce the coughing and disinfect the air. Other essential oils that may help treat a cough include:

• Thyme
• Bergamot
• Cinnamon
• Cypress
• Rosemary
• Geranium

You can spray essential oils around wherever your dog is lying, and you can also add the oils to a diffuser.

It's like a mini humidifier that mixes the oils with water vapor and disperses them through the air.

This option combines my first two home remedies for dog cough and may be especially helpful.

Because a dog's sense of smell is powerful, you must dilute the oils in water before spraying them around your dog's sleeping area.

The safest bet is to buy essential oil mixtures explicitly made for use with dogs.

3. Raw Honey

Honey has many proven benefits, and one of the most well-researched benefits is its ability to suppress coughing. If your adult dog has a mild cough, try a teaspoon of raw honey to soothe the throat and ease the coughing.

Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps fight viruses and bacteria in the body. Its properties make it one of the most effective home remedies for dog cough.

It's essential to use raw honey so that all of its medicinal properties haven't been cooked out by the pasteurizing process.

4. Bone Broth

It's essential to keep your dog well hydrated, especially when he has a cough. Coughing irritates the throat and dries it out.

It may be challenging to get your pup to drink water, but a bit of bone broth or low sodium chicken/beef broth should do the trick. Try feeding your dog 1/4-1/2 cup (depending on his size) 2-3 times per day.

If you use one (or more) of these home remedies and allow your pup to get plenty of rest, you should notice the cough getting progressively better over the next few days.

If you see any other symptoms develop or the cough worsens, it's best to call your veterinarian and ask for their advice.

There are several conditions that can cause coughing in dogs, though some are more common than others.

Dogs make many sounds, and dog people grow accustomed to the occasional snort, sneeze, howl, or grunt. Still, as pet parents, we tend to worry about our canine companions whenever they might be feeling under the weather. So it is only natural to take note when your dog coughs.

Like humans, all dogs cough from time to time. However, sometimes coughing is a sign of a more serious health condition. Continue reading to find out why dogs cough, some common health conditions that cause canine coughing, what to do if your dog is coughing, and when to be concerned.

Why is my dog coughing so much?

Coughing is the body’s natural way of protecting the respiratory system. The purpose of the reflex is to expel unwanted material from the airways. Like humans, dogs cough to remove foreign objects, mucus, or debris from their airways so they can keep breathing well.  

There are several reasons your dog may cough. All dogs cough periodically. They may cough simply to clear their throats. Dogs navigate the world with their noses and mouths. So it’s easy for dirt, grass, or unwanted materials to enter your dog’s nose or throat that cause irritation — and then coughing.

However, if your dog has a cough they cannot shake, there may be something more going on. Your pup could have a virus, bacterial infection, or another underlying health condition.  

While most health issues can be treated or managed, a recurring cough should not be ignored. Set up an appointment so your veterinarian can examine and diagnose your dog. The earlier a diagnosis is made — and the sooner your dog is treated — the better the outcome for your pet.

Common conditions that cause dogs to cough

Several conditions, ranging in severity from minor to life-threatening, can cause coughing in dogs. Here are a few common conditions that cause dogs to cough:

1) Canine influenza

Commonly known as dog flu, this condition is similar to the human flu in that it is a highly contagious respiratory virus. However, the dog flu is caused by a different virus than the flu humans get. That means the dog flu is not spread to humans from dogs or vice versa. But the dog flu does cause coughing and can be a serious condition for your pup.

2) Foreign objects in the throat

If your furry friend gets some type of object stuck in their throat, they would naturally cough to remove it. If you notice your dog coughing, a good place to start is by checking their throat to see if anything foreign has become lodged in the throat area.

3) Environmental allergens

Allergens are substances such as dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, or anything else in the environment that your dog’s immune system perceives as an invader and overreacts to. For example, if your dog is sensitive to dust or certain ingredients in their food, their immune system may react as if it were being attacked by a foreign virus or bacteria. This can lead to coughing, similar to in humans.  

4) Pneumonia

Pneumonia involves an inflammation in the airways in a dog’s lungs. Pneumonia in dogs is usually caused by a bacterial infection or as a complication of a viral infection such as the dog flu. 

5) Heart disease

This is one of the most common reasons for a dog to have a cough that does not clear up within a few days. Heart disease prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively throughout your dog’s body. Dogs who have heart disease will usually display other common heart disease symptoms in addition to a cough.

6) Tracheal collapse

Tracheal collapse (tracheal chondromalacia) is a chronic, progressive condition that causes a dog’s trachea (windpipe) to become soft and flatten out, restricting the dog’s airway. This condition is most commonly seen in small and toy dog breeds, such as chihuahuas, Pomeranians, poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and pugs.

What are the various types of dog coughs?

It is a good idea to pay attention to the type of cough your dog is displaying. Taking a moment to note the specific sound of your dog’s cough will help you:

• Assess whether or not your dog is in an emergency situation

• Determine what is causing your dog to cough

• Give your vet a clear description of your pet’s symptoms

You can also help your dog and your vet by observing the frequency of the cough and when it occurs. For example, do you notice your pooch coughing more at nighttime? Do they tend to cough when lying down in a certain position? Does exercise aggravate your dog’s cough?

Different types of canine coughs and the sounds they make are associated with different health issues. That is why you want to pay close attention and take note of the following types of coughs you might hear:

• A dry, hacking cough can sound like a dog is trying to dislodge something from the throat or mouth. A raspy-sounding, hacking cough can be a symptom of kennel cough, a contagious upper respiratory illness that dogs often get from places where many dogs congregate.

• A deep, dry, honking cough that sounds like a goose honk can be a symptom of kennel cough, a catch-all term for a disease that can be caused by a number of bacteria or viruses. A goose-honk sound can also be a hallmark indicator of tracheal collapse.

• A wet, phlegmy cough that sounds moist could indicate dog flu or pneumonia. If it sounds like your dog is gargling or coughing up phlegm, this suggests an issue in the dog’s lower airway (or lungs). If you hear this cough, it is best to seek medical attention for your dog right away.

• A high-pitched cough that sounds like the dog is gagging can be a symptom of a sore throat or other upper airway irritation or block.

• A cough that occurs only at night or when your dog is sleeping can suggest a potentially serious underlying health condition. Be sure to mention to your vet if your dog’s cough occurs only at night or worsens when they are sleeping.

What are symptoms of kennel cough?

Kennel cough will often present as a persistent, nagging cough in an otherwise healthy dog. A dry, hacking or “honking” cough is usually the telltale sign. Your dog may also experience coughing spasms or coughing fits.

Other kennel cough symptoms may include:

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Lack of appetite

• Lethargy

• Low fever

When should I bring my dog to a vet? 

While a cough every now and then is normal, a persistent cough is not. Many of the health issues that cause dogs to cough are very serious. Others, while easily treatable, can become serious if left untreated.

Only your veterinarian can diagnose your dog’s condition and start the right treatment plan. If your dog is coughing, you should make an appointment with the vet. When you call the veterinarian’s office, be sure to mention if:

• The cough has become worse

• Your dog has lost their appetite

• Your dog is lethargic

• They have a fever

• Your dog has other health problems 

How can I treat my dog’s cough?

Before treating your dog, your vet will need to thoroughly examine your dog to diagnose the cause of the cough. A vet will make a diagnosis based on a combination of:

The vet will likely ask you several questions such as: 

• What does the cough sound like?

• When does the cough occur? (At night? After exercising? When your dog is lying down?)

• Is your dog up to date on all their shots and heartworm preventative?

• Where has your dog been lately? (A boarding facility or doggy daycare? On a family vacation?)

Your vet will likely listen to your dog’s heart and lungs. They may also run bloodwork to identify possible infections. If necessary, the doctor will take X-rays of your pup’s neck and chest. Once your vet determines the underlying cause of your dog’s cough, they will discuss the best treatment plan.

Your veterinarian may prescribe cough suppressants to make your dog more comfortable. Depending on the cause of your dog’s cough, the vet may also recommend antibiotics and other medications or treatments. 

What are some home remedies for my dog’s cough?

You should make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water. They should have a quiet, warm, draft-free area in which to rest and recover.

You can also put a humidifier in the area where your dog rests, as the steam will moisten the air your dog breathes. This may relieve some of the irritation in their respiratory tract. If you are taking a hot shower, use the opportunity to give your pooch some steam therapy. You can let them stay in the closed bathroom — but not in the shower — with you. 

Try loosening your dog’s collar or using a harness for walks while they are coughing. Otherwise, pulling on a collar may irritate the neck and windpipe.

The bottom line

Dogs cough for many reasons ranging from simple throat-clearing to a life-threatening illness.  There are many types of dog coughs and even more possible causes. The best thing you can do is call your veterinarian as soon as you notice your dog has a persistent cough. Most conditions that cause dogs to cough are treatable, so the sooner you get your canine companion to the vet, the better the prognosis for your pet.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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