If your dog is coughing and wheezing, the causes range from mild issues like kennel cough or allergies–symptoms-and-solutions/”>allergies to serious conditions such as heart disease, collapsing trachea, or lungworms. These symptoms indicate airway irritation or obstruction, requiring prompt evaluation by a veterinarian to rule out life threatening problems. Understanding the specific dog coughing and wheezing reasons is the first step toward getting your pet the right treatment.
Dog coughing and wheezing reasons: The top five reasons for dog coughing and wheezing are kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis), collapsing trachea, heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), allergies, and lungworms. Kennel cough causes a dry, hacking cough, while heart disease often produces a wet cough and exercise
Quick Answer: What Are the Most Common Reasons for Dog Coughing and Wheezing?
The top five reasons for dog coughing and wheezing are kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis), collapsing trachea, heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), allergies, and lungworms. Kennel cough causes a dry, hacking cough, while heart disease often produces a wet cough and exercise intolerance. A veterinarian should diagnose the specific cause within 24–48 hours to begin appropriate treatment.
For a complete guide on this topic, see the Ultimate Guide To Dog Health.
Is Kennel Cough the Most Common Cause of Dog Coughing and Wheezing?
Yes, kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) is the most frequent infectious cause of coughing and wheezing in dogs. It is highly contagious and spreads in boarding facilities, dog parks, and grooming salons. The hallmark is a loud, dry, honking cough that often sounds like your dog has something stuck in their throat.
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The cough can last 1–3 weeks and may be accompanied by mild wheezing, gagging, or retching. Most dogs recover without treatment, but secondary pneumonia can develop in puppies or immunocompromised dogs. The AKC recommends keeping your dog away from other dogs for at least 2 weeks after symptoms appear.
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Pro Tip: If your dog has a mild kennel cough, use a harness instead of a collar during walks. Collar pressure on the trachea can worsen the cough and prolong recovery by 3–5 days.
Vaccination against Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza reduces the risk but does not guarantee immunity. Your vet can perform a PCR test on a nasal swab to confirm kennel cough within 24 hours.
Can Collapsing Trachea Cause Wheezing in Small Breed Dogs?
Collapsing trachea is a common cause of wheezing, especially in small breed dogs like Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas. The tracheal rings weaken over time, causing the airway to flatten during inhalation or exhalation. This produces a distinct goose honk cough and audible wheezing, particularly when the dog is excited or pulling on a leash.
Veterinarians diagnose this through X rays or fluoroscopy (real time video of the airway during breathing). Management includes weight control, cough suppressants, and bronchodilators. In severe cases, surgery to place tracheal stents can improve breathing within 2–4 weeks.
Obesity significantly worsens collapsing trachea symptoms. The AVMA notes that maintaining a healthy weight can reduce coughing episodes by up to 50 in affected dogs.
How Does Heart Disease Lead to Dog Coughing and Wheezing?
Congestive heart failure (CHF) causes a soft, moist cough and wheezing, often worse at night or after exercise. Fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema) as the heart fails to pump efficiently. This is most common in older, large breed dogs like Doberman Pinschers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Additional signs include rapid breathing, fatigue, and a bluish tint to the gums. A veterinarian will listen for heart murmurs and may recommend chest X rays or an echocardiogram. Treatment with diuretics (like furosemide) and heart medications (like pimobendan) can reduce fluid buildup and improve breathing within 24–72 hours.
Pro Tip: Count your dog’s resting respiratory rate when they are asleep. A rate above 30 breaths per minute is a red flag for heart disease. Track it weekly to catch worsening symptoms early.
Heartworm disease is another cardiac cause of coughing and wheezing. Preventative medication is essential in endemic areas, as heartworm infection can damage the pulmonary arteries and heart within 6 months.
What Role Do Allergies Play in Dog Coughing and Wheezing?
Inhalant allergies (atopy) to pollen, mold, or dust mites can trigger coughing and wheezing in dogs. Unlike humans, dogs primarily show skin symptoms (itching, licking), but respiratory signs occur in about 10–15% of allergic dogs. Seasonal patterns are common, with worsening symptoms during spring or fall.
Diagnosis involves ruling out other causes through blood tests or intradermal skin testing. Treatment includes antihistamines (like cetirizine), omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and environmental control measures like HEPA air filters. Improvement typically takes 2–4 weeks with consistent management.
Food allergies less commonly cause respiratory symptoms but can contribute to chronic inflammation. A 8–12 week elimination diet trial can identify trigger ingredients. The PetMD guidelines recommend single protein novel diets for accurate diagnosis.
Could Lungworms Be the Hidden Cause of Your Dog’s Coughing and Wheezing?
Lungworms (e.g., Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis) are parasitic infections that cause coughing, wheezing, and exercise intolerance. Dogs contract them by eating infected slugs, snails, frogs, or grass contaminated with larvae. The worms lodge in the pulmonary arteries or airways, causing inflammation and fluid buildup.
Symptoms develop 4–6 weeks after exposure and include a persistent cough, labored breathing, and sometimes bleeding disorders (bruising, nosebleeds). Diagnosis is made through fecal examination using the Baermann technique or PCR testing. Treatment with antiparasitic drugs (fenbendazole or milbemycin oxime) eliminates the infection within 2–4 weeks.
Pro Tip: Lungworm infections are underdiagnosed because standard fecal tests often miss them. If your dog has persistent coughing and wheezing despite negative tests, ask your vet specifically for a Baermann fecal test.
Prevention includes monthly heartworm preventives that also cover lungworms (like Advantage Multi or Revolution). Avoid letting your dog eat snails, slugs, or grass in damp areas, especially in Europe and parts of North America where lungworms are endemic.
Can Bronchitis or Pneumonia Cause Chronic Dog Coughing and Wheezing?
Chronic bronchitis is a progressive inflammatory condition of the lower airways that causes a persistent, dry cough and wheezing lasting 2 months or longer. It is most common in middle aged to older small breed dogs, particularly Cocker Spaniels and West Highland White Terriers. The coughing often worsens with excitement, exercise, or exposure to irritants like smoke or dust.
Diagnosis requires chest X rays to rule out other causes and may involve a bronchoscopy with airway sampling. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation with corticosteroids (like prednisone) and dilating airways with bronchodilators (like theophylline). Many dogs require lifelong management, but studies suggest that 70% of cases show significant improvement within 4–6 weeks of consistent therapy.
Pneumonia, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, causes a deep, productive cough, wheezing, fever, and lethargy. Aspiration pneumonia is a particular risk for brachycephalic breeds (like Bulldogs and Pugs) or dogs with vomiting disorders. Treatment involves antibiotics for 4–6 weeks, nebulization therapy to loosen mucus, and sometimes hospitalization for oxygen support. The ASPCA notes that recovery from pneumonia takes 2–3 weeks with proper veterinary care.
Pro Tip: For dogs with chronic bronchitis, use a humidifier in the room where your dog sleeps. Adding moisture to the air helps loosen airway secretions and reduces coughing frequency by 30–40% within 1 week.
When Should You See a Vet for Dog Coughing and Wheezing Reasons?
You should see a veterinarian immediately if your dog shows any of these emergency signs: blue or pale gums, difficulty breathing (open mouth breathing, neck extended), collapse, coughing up blood or frothy pink fluid, or a respiratory rate above 40 breaths per minute at rest. These indicate a life threatening condition like pulmonary edema, severe pneumonia, or a foreign body obstruction.
For non emergency cases, schedule a vet visit if the cough persists for more than 2–3 days, interferes with sleep or eating, or is accompanied by lethargy, fever, or nasal discharge. Your vet will perform a physical exam, listen to the lungs, and may recommend X-rays, blood work, or a tracheal wash to identify the cause.
Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes significantly. Studies indicate that dogs with collapsing trachea treated within the first month have a 75% better chance of avoiding surgery compared to those diagnosed later.
How Can You Prevent Dog Coughing and Wheezing at Home?
Prevention starts with vaccination against kennel cough, distemper, and parainfluenza. Keep your dog away from sick dogs and avoid high traffic dog areas during outbreaks. Use a harness instead of a collar to protect the trachea, especially in small breeds prone to collapsing trachea.
Maintain a healthy weight through portion control and daily exercise. Obesity increases pressure on the airway and heart, worsening both coughing and wheezing. The AVMA recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily for most adult dogs.
Regular heartworm prevention is non negotiable in endemic areas. Administer monthly preventives year-round, as a single missed dose can lead to infection. Also, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home to reduce allergens and irritants.
Pro Tip: Keep your dog’s living area smoke-free. Secondhand smoke is a major irritant that can trigger or worsen chronic coughing and wheezing in dogs. Even residual smoke on clothing can cause reactions in sensitive dogs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can dog coughing and wheezing be caused by a foreign object stuck in the throat?
Yes, a foreign object like a stick, bone fragment, or toy piece can lodge in the throat or trachea, causing sudden coughing, gagging, and wheezing. This is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary removal under sedation or anesthesia to prevent airway obstruction.
Is dog coughing and wheezing contagious to other dogs?
Yes, if the cause is infectious like kennel cough, canine influenza, or distemper. These spread through respiratory droplets, shared toys, or water bowls. Isolate your dog from other dogs for at least 2 weeks after symptoms start to prevent transmission.
Can allergies cause dog coughing and wheezing year-round?
Yes, indoor allergens like dust mites, mold, and dander can cause year round symptoms. Seasonal allergies to pollen typically worsen in spring or fall. A veterinary dermatologist can perform allergy testing to identify specific triggers and create a management plan.
What is the difference between a cough and a reverse sneeze in dogs?
A cough is an explosive expulsion of air from the lungs, while a reverse sneeze is a rapid, forceful inhalation through the nose that sounds like snorting or honking. Reverse sneezes are usually harmless and caused by nasal irritation, not lung issues.
Can dog coughing and wheezing be a sign of cancer?
Yes, lung tumors or metastatic cancer can cause chronic coughing and wheezing, especially in older dogs. Symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, and coughing up blood. Chest X rays and CT scans are used for diagnosis, and treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or palliative care.
How long does it take for a dog to recover from kennel cough?
Most dogs recover from kennel cough within 1–3 weeks without treatment. However, the cough can persist for up to 6 weeks in some cases. Antibiotics are only needed if secondary bacterial infection develops, which occurs in about 10–20% of cases.
Can dog coughing and wheezing be caused by exercise induced collapse?
Exercise induced collapse (EIC) is a genetic condition in breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies that causes weakness, incoordination, and sometimes respiratory distress after intense exercise. It is not a direct cause of coughing but can present with wheezing and labored breathing.
Is it safe to give my dog human cough medicine for coughing and wheezing?
No, never give human cough medicine to your dog without veterinary approval. Many contain xylitol (toxic to dogs), acetaminophen, or dextromethorphan, which can be dangerous. Only use medications specifically prescribed by your veterinarian for your dog’s condition.
For authoritative reference on canine health and care standards, the American Kennel Club (AKC) provides breed-specific guidance trusted by veterinary professionals. For health-related questions, PetMD offers veterinarian-reviewed information on symptoms and treatments.