Coughing is a normal body function for people but coughing in pets can be a sign of a serious problem. Pets cough occasionally but nowhere near as much as people, so if your pet has a cough here’s a few things to do to control the hack. One of the main reasons pets will start coughing is if they have come into contact with air pollutants like pollen, dust, or even household cleaners. If you plan on vacuuming, dusting, or sweeping you may want to take your pet to another location of the house or outside to avoid a coughing attack. If you are using any sort of household cleaners, be sure to let the windows up. And if it’s allergy season and your pet is allergic to pollen and dust, you may want to bring them in the house or get some allergy medicine from the vet.
Not only will smoking cause you to develop a bad cough it will also cause your pet to develop one. Smoking is bad for everyone, so work hard at quitting or at least spare your pet the filthy fumes and smoke while they are not around. When the air is dry it can cause pets to cough because of the buildup in their throats. If the air is dry in your house, use a humidifier or vaporizer to help clear up the air and keep your pet from coughing. You can also take your pet in a steamy bathroom, which will also help to clear up the coughing.
When walking your pet, try using a harness instead of a collar. Dogs tend to pull away from the leash, which can cause them to cough. Also, check the collar and make sure it’s not too tight around your pet’s neck. If your pet is coughing constantly for more than an hour, give them a cough suppressant, such as Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Syrup. Be sure the medicine does not contain aspirin or acetaminophen, which can be dangerous to pets. Check with your vet to find out the correct dosage to give your pet. In order to properly give your pet the cough suppressant, tilt their head, pull the loose skin up from around the mouth, make a funnel, and give them the dose.
If the coughing is because of hay fever, give your pet an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl, which can reduce the irritation. Again, ask your vet for the exact dosage amounts to give your pet. Usually it’s about 1 to 3 milligrams for every pound your pet weighs. Sometimes overweight pets can develop a persistent cough because of their weight. Help your pet shed a few pounds if they are overweight to eliminate the cough. Finally, if your pet does tend to have a cough try to keep them relaxed in stressful situations that can cause a cough attack.
If your pet has been coughing for longer than 24 hours, take them to the vet. A constant cough over a period of a day is abnormal for pets. Coughing can be a sign of heart disease, so if your pet is coughing a lot and breathing rapidly or short of breath, or has a swollen abdomen, take them to the vet right away.
