What Makes a Dog Cough?

There are many different reasons why a dog might cough. Coughs in dogs can be a minor issue or may be an indicator of a more serious problem. If you have concerns about your dog's coughing, take your pet to a veterinarian to be checked.

Inflammation

Inflammation of the trachea or lungs will cause a dog to cough. Inflammation is often caused by a very treatable problem, such as allergies, acute bronchitis or tonsillitis.

Chronic Bronchitis

Some dogs cough because of inflammation in the airway that is caused by an unknown source. This condition is common in older dogs and is usually marked by a very dry cough, often followed by gagging, that persists for two months or longer. This type of bronchitis is treatable but may not be curable.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia causes a quiet cough that is usually productive. Dogs with pneumonia tend to cough up mucus but often swallow it. If your dog swallows hard after a cough or spits out mucus, bacterial pneumonia may be the cause of the cough.

Chronic Heart Failure

In chronic heart failure, the heart muscle becomes enlarged and allows blood to leak into the lungs. This typically produces a quiet cough that tends to occur at night or during exercise. Coughs caused by chronic heart failure are often accompanied by a pink foam.

Enlarged Heart

Even when it is not failing, the heart may become enlarged for various reasons. An enlarged heart will put pressure on the dog's lungs and can cause coughing. This cough will be a quiet cough, very similar to the cough caused by chronic heart failure, but without any pink foam.

Tracheal Collapse

A dog's trachea is ringed with small pieces of cartilage. If this cartilage becomes weak or damaged, it may collapse into the trachea. This is common in small dogs and causes the dog to cough loudly in a manner that sounds much like a goose honking.