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🐕🐈 Dogs & Cats
Coughing in Pets
Coughing in pets can indicate anything from a mild respiratory infection (kennel cough) to heart disease, collapsed trachea, or pneumonia. The type of cough (dry/honking vs. wet/productive), when it occurs (at rest vs. after exercise vs. at night), and accompanying symptoms help determine severity.
Use the Interactive Triage Tool
Answer a few quick questions to assess urgency for your pet's specific situation.
🚨 Seek Emergency Care Immediately If:
- ! Coughing with difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing (cats)
- ! Blue or pale gums with coughing
- ! Coughing up blood
- ! Severe lethargy or collapse with coughing
- ! Rapid breathing rate at rest (>40 breaths/minute in dogs, >30 in cats)
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
When to See Your Vet
- !Coughing lasting more than a few days
- !Productive (wet) cough
- !Nighttime or exercise-induced coughing
- !Coughing with decreased appetite or energy
- !Any coughing in cats (cats rarely cough — it's almost always significant)
- !Senior dog with new onset cough
Home Monitoring & Care
- ✓Count resting respiratory rate (should be <30 breaths/minute for dogs, <30 for cats)
- ✓Note when coughing occurs (activity, rest, night)
- ✓Use a harness instead of collar to reduce tracheal pressure
- ✓Avoid smoke, dust, and strong scents
- ✓Keep a log of coughing frequency and triggers
Common Causes
Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis)Heart disease / congestive heart failureCollapsed trachea (small breeds)PneumoniaChronic bronchitisHeartworm diseaseForeign bodyLung tumorsAllergic airway diseaseFeline asthma (cats)
Related Tools & Guides
Disclaimer:This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian for your pet's specific health concerns.