Why does my dog cough after eating and drinking?

Coughing in a dog is sometimes tricky to diagnose. Photo: brndnsh

Mr. Businessman is standing in front of me, trying to wretch.

His dog sits quietly at his feet, looking up in adoration at his businessman making strangulating coughing and gagging sounds.

“You see, it’s kind of like this, Doc.”

The man gulps and extends his head and neck toward me. He attempts a half-belch, half-cough and half-vomit, all at the same time. For a moment, I am afraid he will either bring up his lunch in my face or blow himself up.

My clients at the veterinary clinic try to reproduce their dog’s cough all the time.

That’s because kennel cough, the most common reason an otherwise healthy dog begins to cough, is something between a cough and a gag and an ungodly sound coming from deep in the dog’s innermost sanctum.

Most coughs are caused by irritations in the respiratory tract itself. An irritant or infection bothers the airways, triggering a cough.

Coughing in a dog can be tricky to diagnose. Your history of the cough (and imitation) helps your veterinarian significantly. The dog’s age, breed, lifestyle and the veterinary physical exam round out the early rule-out list.

Possible Causes of Coughing in a Dog

1. Kennel cough

Kennel cough (really a bad name for infectious tracheobronchitis) is contagious and can run through a boarding facility like wildfire — but many dogs show up with “kennel cough” who have never been outside their own home or immediate neighborhood.

Many people think their dog has something caught in its throat when the dog actually has a severely irritated throat from kennel cough.

Dogs with something stuck in their airway are, quite frankly, in dire distress. Kennel cough dogs, on the other hand, have an annoying, possibly distressing cough, but not a life-threatening condition.

Kennel cough improves with time and medications if indicated. These dogs should be kept away from other dogs if you don’t want to anger your family members and neighbors.

2. Chronic bronchitis

This condition can be a bit more difficult to diagnose.

Chronic bronchitis dogs may be mistaken for kennel cough dogs at the outset, but chronic bronchitis does not improve with time and medications usually dispensed for kennel cough.

Kennel cough usually improves in 1–3 weeks with or without antibiotics and cough suppressants. Chronic bronchitis dogs continue to cough.

Chronic bronchitis is thought to be immune-mediated or allergic in nature. Just like people suffering from asthma and allergies who need to use carefully prescribed corticosteroids, we do the same with dogs.

In order to suppress the intense inflammation in the airways, and thus relieve the coughing, steroids such as prednisone may be needed.

Inhalers, bronchodilators, doxycycline, cough suppressants, and cutting down on smoke and aerosols may also be part of the treatment plan.

3. Collapsing trachea

The trachea is the windpipe that brings air from the nose to the lungs.

If the trachea is weak or collapses as air is brought into the body, the dog exhibits a dry, hacking cough.

Although any dog can exhibit collapsing trachea, this is most common in small breed dogs such as Poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.

A collapsing trachea is worsened by heat, exercise and obesity.

Dogs mildly affected by tracheal collapse exhibit an intermittent dry cough. If the collapsing trachea is extreme, the dog can sadly have a lot of difficulty breathing.

The aim of treatment is control, not cure.

In this video, Dr. Greg Martinez, DVM, discusses more about collapsed trachea treatment:

4. Heart-related

A cough can be present in chronic heart failure because of the development of pulmonary edema.

By the time they develop a cough related to heart failure, these dogs are usually showing some shortness of breath or labored breathing — in other words, having quite a hard time because of a failing heart.

Heart medications and diuretics help lessen the cough and support the heart, but the prognosis is guarded.

A word about diagnosing the above conditions: Many patients, particularly our smaller fluff-butts, can have more than one of these cough-producing conditions. It would not be unusual to have a little poodle with a heart murmur, some chronic bronchitis and a collapsing trachea.

5. Pneumonia

These dogs are sick. True pneumonia is uncommon.

Older dogs, sick puppies or immunocompromised canines are most susceptible. These cases require aggressive care, usually hospitalization and IV antibiotics.

6. Cancer

Dogs with cancer in the lungs have varying degrees of cough depending on the type and extent of disease. Most of these cancers are metastatic, meaning there is cancer somewhere else in the body that has metastasized to the lungs.

Lung cancer of any sort carries a poor prognosis.

7. Fungal pneumonia

Fungal infections are found in specific geographic areas of the country. These coughs are serious and require aggressive treatment.

8. Heartworm disease

If a dog is coughing from heartworm disease, it means the dog is already in heart failure from the damage done by the heartworms. Certainly, history helps a lot here. Prognosis is guarded even with treatment, but treatment should be attempted.

Take-home advice: Don’t let a cough go on too long before getting it checked out by a veterinarian. The majority of dogs can be helped.

As any of us know who have had a cough ourselves, the longer you cough without relief, the worse it can get.

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD. It was originally published in 2016 and is regularly updated. It was last reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, and updated May 1, 2020.

If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on July 27, 2021

What’s Behind the Cough?
When to See the Vet
Puppy Love

It's normal for your dog to cough every now and then. It's part of everyday life for an animal that can sniff 4 to 6 times per second. But if your dog does it a lot or can’t seem to stop, you may have a sick pup, and they may need treatment.

Like us, dogs cough to get rid of dust, germs, and other stuff they breathe in.

Also like us, they sometimes get infections or viruses.

Dogs are social creatures that naturally sniff and slurp. This is why bacteria and viruses – including a canine form of the flu -- quickly spread from dog to dog. Germs also can land on floors, furniture, food bowls, toys, and other surfaces where the next dog to come along picks them up.

A dog may be coughing because of:

Kennel cough. Kennel cough is the common name for a deep, honking canine cough. Is your dog having bouts of hacking, followed by gagging? Think back a week or so. Were they at the groomer, dog park, obedience class, shelter, or playground? Chances are, they were around another sick dog. Kennel cough is highly contagious, but it's not a serious problem on its own. As long as your dog is eating well and acting like themselves, they'll probably feel better in a week or so. Your vet should make sure that they don’t need antibiotics or cough suppressants.
Fungal infections. Yeast and other fungi can be picked up in dirt or through the air. There are prescription medications that can help.
Heartworms. Mosquitos spread this disease. Monthly medication or an injection that lasts 6 or 12 months can prevent it. Treatment is hard on your pet, and expensive.
Distemper. This virus spreads through the air. It's serious but can be prevented with a vaccine.
Heart disease. Leaky valves and other problems can weaken and thicken the heart muscle. This puts pressure on the lungs and airways. Medication, along with the right diet, and exercise approved by your vet, can bring relief.
Congestive heart failure. Fluid in the lungs can cause coughing.
Lung problems. Sometimes dogs get bronchitis or pneumonia. They also may suck in dirt, grass seeds, or food, which can lead to an infection of the airways. Antibiotics can help. In rare cases, lung cancer is the diagnosis. Your vet will help you decide if medication or surgery is the best course.
Collapse of the trachea. If the rings of cartilage on the dog's trachea, or windpipe, weaken, it can lead to tracheal collapse. It is a progressive condition that causes a harsh, dry cough, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. It is more common in small dogs like pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers, and chihuahuas.

Make an appointment with your dog's doctor if:

Their cough lasts more than a week, or worsens
They seem extra tired
They have a fever
They won’t eat
They have other health problems

Your vet may ask you some questions like:

Does your dog have trouble breathing between coughing fits?
When do they do it? (At night? After eating? After drinking water? After exercise? When they are excited?)
What does it sound like? (A goose? A seal?)
Is the cough dry or moist?
Does it sound like they are about to vomit?
Where has your dog been lately? (In a place with other dogs? With you on a family vacation? Around a smoker?)
Have there been any changes to their daily routine?
Are they up-to-date on their shots, and heartworm prevention?
When did they last take their medication?

Your vet will examine your dog and run tests to find out if the problem is due to a virus, an infection, an allergy, or a different problem. The treatment will depend on the cause.

Just like any other sick member of the family, your dog deserves a little TLC until their cough clears. Make sure they have plenty of water, healthy dog food, and rest. Steer clear if they want to be alone. Tell kids to let sleeping dogs lie, and keep them away from other dogs until they are well.

The best way to keep your dog healthy is to prevent problems before they start. Make sure your dog gets their shots every year and gets heartworm prevention as directed. Don't let them play with other dogs who are coughing or sick.