Ways to Control Your Pet's Cough

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.