Symptom guide
Dog Coughing
Dry hacking, wet cough, or gagging — causes range from kennel cough to heart disease to collapsing trachea.
Triage
Depends on severity
Mild dry cough that lasts a few days after boarding = likely kennel cough (self-limiting). Wet productive cough, cough + exercise intolerance, or cough in a senior dog warrants vet evaluation.
Common causes
- •kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis)
- •collapsing trachea (especially small breeds)
- •heart disease (especially older dogs)
- •pneumonia
- •heartworm
- •allergies / post-nasal drip
- •foreign body
When to call the vet now
Any of these signs means telehealth isn't enough — get in-person vet care today.
- ⚠coughing up blood or pink foam
- ⚠exercise intolerance (cough worsens with activity)
- ⚠blue or pale gums
- ⚠loss of appetite + weight loss + cough
- ⚠cough lasting more than 2 weeks
Breeds most prone to coughing
Not exhaustive — any dog can have this. These breeds are just more commonly affected.
What can help
Products and services matched to this symptom.
Dutch
24/7 vet care and prescriptions delivered
- •Unlimited vet chats
- •Rx delivered to door
- •$11/month
- •Covers anxiety, allergies, derm
Vetster
Book online vet appointments with licensed professionals
- •Licensed vets online
- •24/7 appointment access
- •Video, chat, and voice
- •Prescription support where permitted
Related symptoms
Barkly is not a veterinary service and does not diagnose or prescribe. This is educational content to help you understand your dog's symptoms. For diagnosis and treatment, talk to a licensed vet.