By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A dry cough is a cough that does not sound like it is bringing anything up. It tends to be harsh, hacking or honking, and it usually comes from irritation in the throat or windpipe rather than fluid in the lungs. In a young dog that recently stayed at a boarding kennel, the likely cause is infectious canine cough. In an older small-breed dog with a long-standing cough, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis or heart enlargement become more likely. The age of your dog and how long the cough has been going on are the two biggest clues.
Key takeaways
- A dry cough usually points to the upper airway (throat and windpipe), while a moist cough suggests mucus or fluid lower in the lungs.
- A cough lasting longer than two to three weeks is considered chronic and should be investigated.
- Older small-breed dogs with a heart murmur and a new cough need a prompt vet check for heart disease.
- Breathing difficulty, blue gums or collapse is an emergency.
- Do not give human cough syrups. Some contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Dry versus moist cough
A dry cough sounds sharp and unproductive. A moist cough sounds softer and wetter, and dogs may swallow afterwards. Many dogs with a dry cough also gag or retch at the end of a bout and may bring up a little white froth, which owners can mistake for vomiting. The sound alone does not confirm a cause, but it helps your vet decide which tests are most useful.
Common causes of a dry cough
Acute (days to two weeks)
- Infectious canine cough: the most common cause in dogs that mix with other dogs.
- Inhaled irritants: smoke, dust, strong fragrances or bushfire smoke.
- Foreign material: grass seeds or small objects lodged in the throat or airway.
- Collar pressure: dogs that pull hard on a collar can irritate the windpipe.
Chronic (more than two to three weeks)
- Tracheal collapse: typical in toy breeds, with a goose-honk cough triggered by excitement or pulling.
- Chronic bronchitis: persistent airway inflammation, often in middle-aged and older dogs.
- Heart enlargement: an enlarged left atrium can press on the main airways, especially in small breeds with mitral valve disease. Read more in congestive heart failure in dogs.
- Laryngeal problems: such as laryngeal paralysis in older large breeds, often with a change in bark.
- Parasites: heartworm and airway worms such as Oslerus osleri can cause coughing.
- Tumours: less common, but considered in older dogs.
When to see a vet
Emergency now: struggling to breathe, blue, grey or pale gums, collapse, fainting, open-mouth breathing at rest, or sudden severe coughing after chewing something.
Same day: a cough with lethargy, poor appetite, fever or fast breathing at rest, or a new cough in a dog with a known heart murmur.
Within a week: a mild dry cough in a bright, eating dog that is not improving after several days, or any cough lasting more than two to three weeks.
What you can do
- Swap the collar for a well-fitted harness.
- Keep your dog away from smoke, aerosols and dusty areas.
- Note when the cough happens: after drinking, at night, on waking, with excitement or after exercise.
- Record a short video of a coughing bout.
- Count resting breaths during sleep and share them with your vet.
- Keep your dog away from other dogs until a vet has ruled out an infectious cause.
- If your dog is overweight, ask your vet about a weight plan. Weight loss can dramatically ease tracheal collapse and bronchitis.
How vets find the cause
Your vet will take a detailed history, examine the throat, listen carefully to the heart and lungs and gently feel the windpipe. Depending on what they find, the next steps may include chest x-rays, a heart ultrasound, blood tests, a heartworm test, faecal testing, or fluoroscopy (moving x-ray) to watch the windpipe during breathing. Some dogs need airway camera examination and washes under anaesthetic.
Treatment is aimed at the cause. Canine cough is usually managed with rest and supportive care. Tracheal collapse and bronchitis are often managed long term with weight control, harness use, avoiding irritants and medicines chosen by your vet. Heart-related coughing needs a cardiac plan. Your vet will explain which options suit your dog.
Prevention
- Keep C5 vaccinations current if your dog socialises or boards.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Use a harness for dogs that pull.
- Continue heartworm prevention as advised for your area.
- Book regular health checks for senior dogs so heart murmurs are picked up early.
FAQ
Why does my dog cough after drinking water?
Coughing after drinking can be linked to tracheal collapse or laryngeal problems. Mention it to your vet, especially if it happens often.
Can allergies cause a dry cough in dogs?
They can contribute, particularly through airway inflammation, but other causes are more common and should be ruled out first.
My dog only coughs at night. Should I worry?
Night-time coughing can be a sign of heart disease, particularly in older small breeds. Book a check rather than waiting.
Is a dry cough contagious?
It is if the cause is infectious canine cough. Keep your dog away from other dogs until your vet has advised.
Talk with a vet
If your dog has a dry cough and you are unsure how urgent it is, a Dial A Vet consult can help you plan the next step. A dog struggling to breathe, with pale or blue gums, or that has collapsed needs an in-person emergency vet now.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Coughing in Dogs and Cats
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Tracheal Collapse in Small Animals
- ACVIM Consensus Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
- American Heartworm Society: Canine Guidelines
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. A persistent cough always deserves a professional assessment.