Why Your Dog Is Coughing

If your dog is coughing, it can be anything from a simple throat irritation to something that needs veterinary care right away. As a veterinary assistant here in Frisco, Texas, I always tell pet parents the same thing: a cough is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The good news is that with a few careful observations, you can often narrow down what is most likely and know when to call your vet.

First, what does the cough sound like?

The sound and timing of a cough are helpful clues. If you can, take a short video for your veterinarian. It is one of the fastest ways to move from guessing to problem-solving.

• Dry, hacking, "honking" cough: Common with CIRDC (often called kennel cough) and also seen with collapsing trachea.
• Wet or productive cough: Can suggest pneumonia, bronchitis, or fluid inside the lungs (pulmonary edema).
• Gagging or retching after coughing: Often reported with CIRDC, but can also happen with airway irritation, reflux, or something stuck in the throat.
• Coughing mostly at night or when lying down: Can be a clue with heart disease or fluid buildup, but it is not exclusive to any one breed or size.
• Cough triggered by exercise, excitement, pulling on a leash, or heat: Common with airway sensitivity, collapsing trachea, heart disease, and heartworm disease.

Common reasons dogs cough

1) CIRDC (kennel cough) and other respiratory infections

"Kennel cough" is a common catch-all term for canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). It is contagious and can involve the upper airways and sometimes the lower airways too. Dogs can pick it up anywhere dogs share airspace: boarding, grooming, dog parks, training classes, even the vet lobby.

What you might notice: A sudden dry cough, gagging, sneezing, runny nose, mild low energy. Many dogs still eat and act fairly normal.

Why it matters: Most cases are mild, but some progress to pneumonia, especially in puppies, seniors, and immunocompromised pets.

2) Allergies and airway irritation

Just like people, dogs can cough from environmental triggers. In North Texas, seasonal allergens, dust, smoke, and strong fragrances are common culprits.

What you might notice: Coughing plus itchy paws, watery eyes, licking, sneezing, or ear issues. Coughing may worsen after cleaning sprays, candles, or being outside on high-pollen days.

3) Collapsing trachea

This is most common in small breeds and mixes, especially as they age. The trachea (windpipe) becomes less rigid and can partially collapse, leading to that classic honking cough.

What you might notice: Honking cough, coughing when excited, pulling on leash, or in hot weather. Some dogs also have noisy breathing.

Helpful tip: Switching from a collar to a well-fitted harness can reduce irritation and coughing episodes.

4) Heart disease and fluid in the lungs

Not every cough is heart-related, but coughing from heart disease is important to recognize. In some dogs, the heart enlarges and presses on airways, or fluid builds up in the lungs (congestive heart failure).

What you might notice: Cough that is worse at rest or at night, decreased stamina, faster breathing, fainting episodes, or a swollen belly.

5) Heartworm disease

Here in Texas, heartworm disease needs to stay on the list. It is spread by mosquitoes, and it can cause coughing, exercise intolerance, and breathing changes. It is also very preventable.

What you might notice: Mild but persistent cough, tiring more easily on walks, weight loss, or labored breathing as it progresses.

Why it matters: If your dog is not on year-round prevention or is overdue for testing, talk to your vet. Do not start or restart preventives without guidance, because timing and testing matter.

6) Pneumonia

Pneumonia can occur from infection, aspiration (breathing in vomit or food), or underlying disease.

What you might notice: Wet cough, fever, lethargy, poor appetite, fast or labored breathing. This is not a wait-and-see situation.

7) Something stuck or throat irritation

Foxtails, grass awns, small toys, bones, or even a piece of chew can irritate the throat or airway.

What you might notice: Sudden coughing, gagging, pawing at the mouth, drooling, trouble swallowing, or distress. Seek urgent care if breathing is affected.

8) Reverse sneezing (often mistaken for coughing)

Reverse sneezing can look scary. Dogs rapidly pull air in, often with snorting sounds. It is usually more of a nasal or throat spasm than a lung issue.

What you might notice: Episodes that last seconds to a minute, and your dog seems normal afterward. If it is frequent or paired with nasal discharge, check in with your vet.

9) Less common, but important

Some dogs cough from a mass in the chest, chronic airway disease, or laryngeal problems. If your dog has a cough that keeps coming back or is not improving, it is worth investigating even if they seem otherwise okay.

When coughing is an emergency

Call an emergency vet now if you see any of the following:

• Labored breathing (belly heaving, open-mouth breathing at rest, neck stretched out)
• Blue, gray, or very pale gums
• Collapse, weakness, or fainting
• Coughing up blood or pink, foamy fluid
• Choking signs (panic, noisy inhaling/stridor, unable to breathe normally, pawing at the mouth)
• Puppies or dogs with known heart or lung disease who develop a new cough

Quick at-home check: While your dog is relaxed or sleeping, count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Many healthy dogs are around 10 to 30 breaths per minute at rest. Stress, pain, heat, and anxiety can temporarily raise it, so focus on what is persistent. If your dog is consistently above about 30 at rest, or working hard to breathe, do not wait.

What to track before you call the vet

These details help your veterinarian triage your dog quickly and choose the right tests.

• Duration: When did it start? Is it getting worse? If it lasts more than 24 to 48 hours, keeps returning, or is worsening, call your vet even if your dog is still eating.
• Frequency: Occasional, daily, or in fits?
• Sound: Dry, wet, honking, or gagging afterward?
• Triggers: Exercise, excitement, nighttime, eating, drinking, leash pulling?
• Exposure: Boarding, grooming, dog park, new dog in home?
• Prevention history: Bordetella and canine influenza (if recommended for your dog’s lifestyle) and heartworm prevention status.
• Other symptoms: Nasal discharge, fever, appetite change, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
• Resting breathing rate: And whether it is increasing over time

Tip: Bring the video to your appointment. A cough can disappear the moment your dog walks into the clinic, but your recording tells the real story.

What your veterinarian may recommend

Different cough causes need different tests. Your vet may suggest:

• Physical exam and temperature
• Chest X-rays to check lungs, airways, and heart size
• Heart testing such as NT-proBNP blood test, ECG, or echocardiogram if heart disease is suspected
• Respiratory PCR testing for infectious causes in some cases
• Heartworm test if your dog is due or not on consistent prevention
• Fecal test if lungworms are a concern in your region or for certain lifestyles

Please avoid giving human cough medicines unless your veterinarian specifically tells you what to use and what dose. Many common products are dangerous for dogs, and suppressing a cough can sometimes hide a serious problem like pneumonia.

Safe, supportive care at home

If your dog is bright, breathing comfortably, and your vet has not indicated an emergency, these gentle steps can help while you wait for an appointment:

• Use a harness, not a collar to reduce throat pressure.
• Reduce excitement for a few days. Short, calm potty breaks only.
• Run a humidifier in the room where your dog sleeps to ease airway irritation.
• Avoid smoke, aerosols, and strong scents like candles and cleaning sprays.
• Offer water and keep hydration up. Dehydration can worsen throat irritation.
• Isolate from other dogs until you know whether the cough is contagious.

Nutrition note: Dogs fighting respiratory illness do best with easy-to-eat, highly palatable foods. Warmed, balanced meals can encourage appetite, but avoid major diet changes if your dog has a sensitive stomach. If you cook at home, talk with your vet about a complete and balanced plan, especially for puppies and seniors.

Prevention that helps

• Vaccines when appropriate: Bordetella and canine influenza are not one-size-fits-all. Your vet can help based on your dog’s lifestyle.
• Year-round heartworm prevention: Especially important in mosquito-heavy areas like North Texas. Keep annual testing on schedule.
• Weight management: Extra weight increases breathing effort and can worsen airway issues.
• Dental care: Oral bacteria can contribute to systemic inflammation and, in some cases, aspiration risk.
• Leash manners and harness use: Chronic throat pulling is a common, fixable trigger.
• Routine vet visits: Heart murmurs and early lung changes are often found on regular exams before symptoms become severe.

The bottom line

A dog cough can be mild or serious, and it is not always obvious which it is on day one. Trust your instincts. If the cough is persistent (especially beyond 24 to 48 hours), worsening, paired with low energy, or affecting breathing, it is time to get your veterinarian involved. And if your dog seems like they cannot catch their breath, treat it like an emergency.

You do not have to figure this out alone. With a few observations, a quick video, and a timely exam, most coughing dogs can get relief and get back to feeling like themselves.