Coughing is a reflex that clears the airway of irritants, mucus, or fluid, and it can arise from problems anywhere between the throat and the lungs. In dogs it often points to airway or heart disease, while in cats a persistent cough is more often linked to asthma-type airway inflammation. Any cough lasting more than a few days, or paired with breathing difficulty, should be checked by a vet.
Body system: Lower respiratory tract
Coughing is the reflex that clears the trachea and airways when they detect irritation, mucus, or fluid. Dogs often produce a harsh, honking cough when the windpipe narrows slightly, while a softer, wet-sounding cough usually points to the lungs. Cats cough less often than dogs, so any repeated cough in a cat is worth noting. Horses and cattle cough for similar reasons, usually tied to dusty bedding or a respiratory infection. An occasional single cough after excitement is rarely concerning; a cough that repeats through the day is.
Airway infections such as kennel cough are the most frequent cause in dogs that mix with other dogs. Cats who cough are more often dealing with feline asthma, where the airways narrow and become inflamed. Heart disease causes coughing in both species when an enlarged heart presses on the windpipe or fluid collects in the lungs, and this pattern often shows up at night. Chronic bronchitis, allergies, and inhaled grass seeds or other debris round out the common triggers, particularly in older pets.
Coughing paired with blue or grey gums, open-mouth breathing, or restlessness is an emergency and needs immediate veterinary care. Coughing up blood, collapsing during a coughing spell, or a sudden severe onset also warrant same-day assessment. A mild, occasional cough in a pet who is still eating and playing normally can wait for a routine appointment, though it should be checked within a few days rather than ignored indefinitely.
The vet listens closely to the heart and lungs, since where a cough comes from often narrows the possibilities before any test is run. Chest X-rays usually follow, showing whether the airways, lungs, or heart size look abnormal. Blood work, a heartworm test, or a sample of airway fluid may be needed if imaging does not give a clear answer. Cats with suspected asthma sometimes need further airway-specific testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Limit exercise in a coughing pet until the cause is known, since exertion tends to worsen both infectious and heart-related coughs. A harness rather than a neck collar reduces pressure on the airway in dogs prone to tracheal irritation. Vaccination, reduced exposure to smoke and aerosols, and keeping pets at a healthy weight all lower the risk of chronic coughing. A cough that changes character or brings on weight loss needs a recheck.
This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you are worried about your pet, contact your veterinarian.
