Why Is My Dog Coughing: Causes, Symptoms, And Relief Tips

Identify potential triggers and ease your pet’s airway discomfort with practical at-home care.

By Shinta

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Identify potential triggers and ease your pet’s airway discomfort with practical at-home care.

Why Is My Dog Coughing? Common Causes, Symptoms, and How to Help

Coughing in dogs is a symptom that dog owners may eventually encounter, and while occasional coughing may not always be a sign of concern, persistent or severe coughs can indicate a range of issues from minor irritations to serious illnesses. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for dog cough can help you support your pet’s health and know when to consult your veterinarian.

Understanding Why Dogs Cough

Coughing serves the same primary function in dogs as it does in humans: it’s a natural reflex to clear the respiratory tract of irritants, secretions, or infectious agents. While an occasional, mild cough may result from sucking down food the wrong way or sniffing dust, frequent or severe bouts of coughing may signal an underlying health issue that deserves careful attention.

Main Causes of Coughing in Dogs

A variety of causes can provoke coughing in dogs, ranging from infectious diseases and chronic conditions to environmental factors or underlying heart disorders. The most common causes include:

Kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease complex)
Chronic bronchitis (inflammatory airway disease)
Allergies and environmental irritants
Heart disease
Tracheal collapse and airway anomalies
Foreign bodies (objects lodged in the throat)
Other less common infections and medical conditions

Kennel Cough: The Most Common Infectious Cause

Kennel cough (officially known as canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC)), is a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract of dogs. It frequently occurs in spaces where dogs are in close proximity, such as kennels, doggy daycare, boarding facilities, shelters, and group training classes.

What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses, commonly occurring as a complex involving multiple infectious agents. The most frequently identified organisms include:

Bordetella bronchiseptica (bacterium; most common)
Canine parainfluenza virus
Canine adenovirus type 2
Canine influenza virus (H3N2, H3N8)
Canine respiratory coronavirus
Canine herpesvirus-1
Canine distemper virus
Mycoplasma species (bacteria)
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus

Agent	Type	Protection Available?
Bordetella bronchiseptica	Bacterium	Yes (Vaccine)
Canine parainfluenza virus	Virus	Yes (Vaccine)
Canine adenovirus type 2	Virus	Yes (Vaccine)
Canine influenza virus	Virus	Yes (Separate Vaccine)

Kennel cough spreads easily via airborne droplets, direct contact (such as playing or nose-touching), or through contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls. Because many of the viruses and bacteria involved are resistant to standard disinfectants and can remain in the air, even clean kennels may have outbreaks.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough

The most recognizable sign is a persistent, harsh, or âhonkingâ cough, often triggered or worsened by excitement, activity, or pressure on the dogâs trachea (for example, from a collar and leash).

Sudden onset of a loud, dry, hacking cough
Sounds like gagging or retching; may result in frothy spit-up
Cough provoked by pulling on leash, excitement, or exercise
May include sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes
Otherwise bright, alert behavior in mild cases

Serious cases can progress to:

Lethargy
Decreased appetite
Fever
Labored or rapid breathing
Productive cough with mucus or pus (possible pneumonia)

How Kennel Cough Is Treated and Prevented

Most cases are mild and resolve within 7-10 days with rest and supportive care, though cough suppressants may be given for comfort. Severe cases, especially those at risk for pneumonia (young puppies, seniors, immune-suppressed), may require antibiotics and hospitalization.

Prevention:

Vaccinate dogs against Bordetella, parainfluenza, and canine adenovirus (consult your vet for a schedule)
Limit exposure to group dog settings during outbreaks
Ensure good ventilation in indoor dog spaces

Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammatory condition affecting the small airways (bronchi) of dogs, leading to persistent, dry cough. While itâs most common in middle-aged or older dogs, any age or breed can be affected. Chronic bronchitis is defined as coughing that occurs nearly daily for at least two months, with no identifiable cause such as infection or heart disease.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

Longstanding airway inflammation, often triggered by exposure to irritants (smoke, dust, allergens, chemical fumes)
History of acute infectious bronchitis or undiagnosed respiratory infection
Structural airway changes (e.g., tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis)
Obesity exacerbates severity

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic, harsh, unproductive (dry) cough
Cough worsens with excitement, exercise, or after exposure to cold air
May have occasional wheezing or mild breathing difficulty
Generally no fever or lethargy unless concurrent infection develops

How Is Chronic Bronchitis Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes (such as infection, heartworm disease, or heart failure) and by history and exam. Chest x-rays, bloodwork, and airway sampling may be needed.

Treatment focuses on:

Reducing airway inflammation with medications (typically corticosteroids prescribed by a vet)
Minimizing exposure to airborne irritants (e.g., no cigarette smoke, dust, or chemical aerosols in the home)
Controlling body weight
Occasional use of cough suppressants if prescribed

Other Common Causes of Dog Coughing

Allergies and Environmental Irritants

Just like people, dogs can have allergic reactions to pollen, mold, dust, smoke, or other airborne particles, leading to coughing. Dry or cold air, particularly in winter, can also irritate sensitive airways and trigger coughing in some dogs.

Heart Disease

Heart conditionsâespecially in older dogs or breeds predisposed to heart diseaseâcan lead to coughing, usually due to enlargement of the heart pressing on the airways or fluid backing up in the lungs (pulmonary edema).

Heart failure signs: persistent cough, difficulty breathing during rest, fatigue, exercise intolerance, fainting spells

Tracheal Collapse and Airway Disorders

Small-breed dogs (such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas, but not exclusively) are prone to tracheal collapse, a condition where the cartilage rings of the windpipe weaken, leading to partial airway closure, resulting in a honking, goose-like coughâespecially during excitement or pulling on a collar.

Symptoms: honking cough, worsening with exertion, excitement, or collar pressure

Foreign Bodies

Dogs that love to chew may inhale or swallow small objects (like grass awns or food pieces) that get stuck and irritate the throat or airway, triggering sudden, violent coughing. This is a medical emergency and needs prompt veterinary care if choking or distress is noted.

Other Causes (Less Common)

Pneumonia (infection/inflammation of the lungs)
Fungal infections (from soil or decaying vegetation)
Heartworm disease (mosquito transmitted, leads to coughing as infection progresses)
Lung tumors (rare, typically in older dogs)
Chronic oral or pharyngeal disease
Smoke inhalation, caustic chemical exposure

When to See the Veterinarian

Itâs best to err on the side of caution if you notice persistent, severe, or worsening cough in your dog. Contact your veterinarian if you observe:

Frequent or worsening cough lasting longer than several days
Cough accompanied by lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, trouble breathing, or blue/gray tongue and gums
Any signs of choking, distress, or collapse
Coughing up blood or pus
Young puppies, elderly, or immunocompromised dogs develop a cough

Your veterinarian will take a thorough history, perform a physical exam, and may recommend diagnostic tests such as x-rays, bloodwork, or airway washes to determine the underlying cause.

What Can I Do at Home for a Coughing Dog?

If your dog has a mild, non-productive cough but otherwise feels well, home management could include:

Ensure plenty of rest and minimize exercise for a few days
Use a harness instead of a collar to reduce pressure on the airways
Keep the house humidified (especially in winter months)
Avoid exposure to smoke, cleaning chemicals, and dust
Keep them away from other dogs until a veterinarian identifies the cause

Never give your dog human cough medications without veterinary advice; many common ingredients are toxic or unsafe for pets.

Preventing Cough and Respiratory Disease in Dogs

Keep your dog up-to-date on vaccinations (discuss Bordetella, parainfluenza, canine influenza, and distemper protection with your vet)
Minimize your dog’s exposure to high-risk environments during outbreaks (kennels, large group gatherings)
Ensure boarding and daycare facilities have good ventilation and disease-prevention protocols
Avoid environmental irritants at home (smoke-free, dust-free environments)
Monitor your dogâs weight for overall respiratory health

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is kennel cough life-threatening for dogs?

A: The vast majority of kennel cough cases are mild and self-limiting, but the illness can become dangerousâparticularly for young puppies, immune-compromised dogs, or cases that develop pneumonia. Seek veterinary care if your dog has difficulty breathing, fever, or becomes lethargic.

Q: How contagious is kennel cough?

A: Kennel cough is extremely contagious and spreads quickly wherever dogs congregate. Isolate coughing dogs from others and clean bowls, bedding, and toys regularly to reduce risk of spread.

Q: Can my dog develop a cough from allergies?

A: Yes, inhaled allergens like dust, pollen, or mold can irritate the airways and cause coughing, especially in sensitive or allergic dogs.

Q: When is coughing in dogs an emergency?

A: Coughing is an emergency if your dog is struggling to breathe, collapses, coughs up blood, or turns blue or gray in the gums or tongue. Seek immediate veterinary attention in these cases.

Q: Should I ever give my dog people medicine for coughs?

A: No. Many over-the-counter human medications are toxic for dogs. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet.

Sources

American Kennel Club (AKC): Causes and Symptoms of Dog Cough
American Veterinary Medical Association: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex
American Humane Society: Kennel Cough in Dogs
WebMD Pets: Kennel Cough in Dogs

References

Author

Shinta

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta