Like human beings, dogs can also get that awful dry cough that won’t go away. Although a dog’s dry cough may sound like typical snorting and grunting, your pet may be in great agony. It’s natural for dogs to cough occasionally, but if they can’t stop, it becomes a concern. If you see your dog coughing more frequently than usual, it’s crucial to take them to the veterinarian immediately to pinpoint the cause.

Probable causes for a dog’s cough

A dog’s coughing may be caused by anything, from something as basic as allergies to something more serious like lung cancer or heartworm illness. It would help if you took your dog to the vet so that the doctor could determine precisely what was causing the dry cough. Below, we’ll go through some of the typical causes of a dry dog cough.

Bacterial and viral infections

A dog may experience a dry cough due to several bacterial and viral illnesses, including kennel cough. A kennel cough is a broad classification for any infectious or contagious conditions in dogs where the primary symptom is cough. It can spread between dogs through airborne droplets, close contact, or contaminated surfaces.

Foreign object in airway

Another typical reason for a cough in dogs is a foreign body in their airways. This is typically brought on by a dog eating too quickly, but it can also be brought on by your pet swallowing a toy or a piece of a toy they were chewing. A dog with a foreign object in their airway would likely cough, but they may also drool excessively, pace, paw at their mouth, and have trouble breathing. Bring your dog to the emergency vet right away if none of these remedies works or if they are seriously choking.

Allergies

It’s not unusual to hear your dog cough if they have allergies. Dust, pollen, and smoke are a few environmental allergens that can cause a dry cough. In addition to hives, itching, irritated skin, diarrhea, and vomiting, dogs with allergies may also suffer from symptoms like sneezing or wheezing.

Tracheal collapse and irritation

A dog’s trachea may become soft and thin due to the chronic ailment of tracheal collapse, which may obstruct the dog’s airways. Although it can occur in any breed of dog, it is most frequently seen in older toy and small dog types. In the case of tracheal collapse, your pet will exhibit difficulty breathing in addition to dry, persistent coughing.

Heartworm disease

Heartworm disease is an ailment brought on by a worm parasite that, if left untreated, can be fatal.

Treatments for dry cough in dogs

The best course of treatment for cough in dogs will ultimately rely on the underlying problem. Therefore it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian to determine what that is. Cough suppressants, cough tablets for bacterial infections in dogs, or steroids for allergic pulmonary illness may all be used as treatments. Note that coughing on rare occasions is typical in dogs. Keep in mind that if the case is a mild one, you can look into using natural remedies to treat them or help relieve their symptoms.

Natural cough remedies for dog cough treatment

At times healing dry cough through natural remedies does wonders. Here are a few remedies mentioned below:

Honey and coconut oil

Honey is the most widely used natural dog cough treatment for canine tracheobronchitis, often known as kennel cough, in dogs. Simply put honey on a spoon and give it to your dog—most dogs enjoy the sweet taste—and they’ll happily lick it off. Half a teaspoon of honey should be given to small or medium-sized dogs, while a full teaspoon should be given to large dogs. Up to four dose repetitions per day are allowed. One teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of body weight is the suggested dosage, which should be spread throughout the day. Give your dog no oils if they have digestive troubles or have experienced pancreatitis.

Wild cherry bark syrup

Wild cherry bark syrup, which can be found in many natural food stores, is made composed of raw honey, apple cider vinegar, wild cherry bark, propolis, elecampane root, rose hips, licorice root, peppermint oil, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, ginger root, and slippery elm bark.

Tossa K

Tossa K is an anti-infection supplement that contains mustard seed, black seed, olive leaf, and pau d’arco. It may improve symptoms of upper respiratory infections when taken four times per day in half-teaspoon dosages. It claims to boost the immune system and aid in the battle against illness.

Efficacy of natural cough remedies in dogs

Honey’s antimicrobial characteristics make it highly efficient at relieving the unpleasant symptoms of kennel cough. However, because kennel cough must run its course, natural remedies focus on treating symptoms and strengthening immune response rather than eradicating the illness. Honey and other natural remedies for coughing in dogs can make their throat less hoarse.

In conclusion

Depending on the intensity of the cough, recuperation time can vary. Initial symptoms can appear five to ten days following interaction with other sick canines. Most dogs recover in about a fortnight from the symptoms they first exhibit. If the symptoms last longer than ten days or do not improve, you should immediately contact a veterinarian for options like cough suppressants for dogs or other prescriptions. Of course, you should see a veterinarian if the frequent coughing progresses to anything more serious, such as breathing issues or wheezing.

Pet parents can help prevent their dog from getting sick by getting a vaccine, one of the most commonly used preventive measures to get rid of dogs’ dry cough. The vaccines are available in injectable, oral, or intranasal forms. They are typically administered in two doses two to four weeks apart, with a booster shot every six months to a year.