Coughing

What conditions cause coughing in pets?

Coughing develops secondary to many medical conditions, including:

• Airway irritation or inflammation
• Upper respiratory infection
• Collapsing trachea
• Laryngeal paralysis
• Acute or chronic bronchitis
• Feline asthma
• Pneumonia
• Cancer
• Congestive heart failure
• Hypertension
• Heartworm disease

How can coughing affect my pet's quality of life?

Chronic coughing can interfere with your pet’s normal activities, including eating and sleeping. A pet often coughs more at night, when they are lying down, and lack of sleep becomes a significant concern, since every family member’s mental and physical health may suffer. 

If your pet’s coughing is accompanied by breathing problems, they may become anxious and distressed as they struggle to breathe. If your pet’s coughing is consuming and affecting their overall quality of life, but cannot be managed with home therapies or medications, you should consider setting them free from their struggles. 

How can I manage my pet’s coughing at home?

If your pet is coughing, these tips may help you manage their condition:

• Keep your pet calm and quiet, since coughing often worsens when a pet becomes excited.
• Avoid strenuous exercise. Mild exercise may be acceptable, based on your pet’s response.
• Walk your dog on a harness, instead of a collar, to prevent putting pressure on their airway.
• Avoid environmental irritants, such as cigarette smoke, incense, fragrance systems, scented plug-ins, and candles.
• Use low-dust cat litter, such as Dr. Elsey’s Respiratory Relief Cat Litter.
• Keep rooms, particularly the areas your pet frequents, cool and well-ventilated. Add a humidifier if the air is dry. 
• Many dogs like a fan blowing on them, whereas cats do not. When your dog has a coughing fit, directing a fan toward their face, and keeping them calm, may help.
• Monitor your pet’s respiratory rate and breathing character. Normal respiratory rate is 16 to 32 breaths per minute for dogs, and 24 to 42 breaths per minute for cats, without excessive effort or noise. 
• Check your pet’s gums and tongue for their mucous membrane color, which should be pink.

When should I seek veterinary help for my pet’s coughing?

If your pet has a chronic condition, you should maintain close contact with your family veterinarian about their progress and management. Contact your family veterinarian in these situations:

• Respiratory rate is higher than 32 breaths per minute in your dog, or 42 breaths per minute in your cat
• Sleeping respiratory rate increases by 25% or more over two days
• Your pet’s mucous membranes are pale, blue, or purple
• Your pet is having difficulty breathing
• Your pet is suffering from inadequate sleep

Your family veterinarian may have additional management tips, or may prescribe a cough suppressant or medications to manage disease side effects, such as difficulty breathing.

Before your pet’s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our telehospice services, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this difficult time.