My Pet Is Coughing:
When Should You See a Vet?
Here is how urgent it usually is, what may be causing it, and what to do next.
Your dog or cat has a cough that will not settle?
A cough that lasts more than a few days, or comes with breathing effort, should be checked early. In cats, coughing is often mistaken for trying to bring up a hairball, so it is easy to miss.
- Your pet is struggling to breathe, or breathing with its mouth open
- Your pet's gums look pale, grey or blue
- Your pet is coughing up blood
- Your pet has collapsed or fainted
- Your pet cannot settle or lie down comfortably
Closed on Tuesday
ExoCare is not a 24-hour hospital. Outside these hours, please contact the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital.
What to do in an emergencyDog Coughing
Why it matters
Coughing in dogs can come from the airways, the lungs or the heart. Older small-breed dogs in particular may cough because of heart valve disease.
Common causes
- Kennel cough and other infections
- Heart disease, such as mitral valve disease
- A collapsing windpipe in small breeds
- Heartworm
- Something stuck in the throat
Signs that often come with it
- A honking, dry or wet-sounding cough
- Coughing more at night or after exercise
- Tiring easily on walks
- Breathing faster at rest
- Eating less
What to do now
- Note when the cough happens and record a short video
- Keep your dog calm, and use a harness instead of a collar
- Contact us if it lasts more than a few days or is getting worse
Cat Coughing
Why it matters
Cats do not cough often. A cat that crouches low with its neck stretched out and coughs may have asthma or another airway problem, rather than a hairball.
Common causes
- Feline asthma
- An airway infection
- Heartworm or lungworm
- Smoke, dust or sprays in the air
- Heart disease, less commonly
Signs that often come with it
- Crouching with the neck stretched forward while coughing
- Wheezing
- Coughing without bringing up a hairball
- Breathing faster at rest
- Low energy
What to do now
- Record a video of the cough to show us
- Keep your cat away from smoke, sprays and dusty litter
- Contact us today
Hairball or cough? A hairball usually ends with something being brought up. If your cat coughs again and again and nothing comes out, please let us check.
What to Bring to Your Visit?
A cough videoA short video is the most useful thing you can bring.
When it happensA note of when the cough happens, such as at night or after play.
Health recordsVaccination and heartworm prevention records.
Medicines givenAny medicines or supplements your pet takes.
A harnessFor dogs, a harness avoids pressure on the throat.
Contact with othersTell us if your dog has mixed with other dogs recently.
Dr. Asma Fariha
Veterinary Surgeon · MVC Reg. No. 3362
Dr. Asma monitors valve disease over time, because staging is what determines when treatment should begin.
What People Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it spreads between dogs. Please keep your dog away from other dogs, and let us know before you arrive.
Bring a short video of the cough, a note of when it happens, and your pet’s vaccination and medical records.
Yes, especially in older dogs with heart valve disease. A heart check and chest x-rays can help find the cause.
Please do not give human cough medicines to pets. Some can be harmful, and the cough needs to be checked first.
Please contact us if the cough lasts more than a few days, is getting worse, or comes with breathing effort or tiredness.
A hairball usually ends with something being brought up. Repeated coughing with nothing coming out may be asthma or another airway problem.