Coughing in Dogs After Drinking Water: What You Need to Know

Coughing in dogs after drinking water can be a concerning symptom for any dog owner. It's not uncommon for dogs to cough after drinking water, but in some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying issue.

Dogs may cough after drinking water due to a condition called tracheal collapse, where the dog's windpipe collapses, causing a cough. This is a serious condition that requires veterinary attention.

Some breeds, such as Poodles, Pugs, and Bulldogs, are more prone to tracheal collapse due to their narrow windpipes. If you own one of these breeds, it's essential to be aware of this risk.

A persistent cough after drinking water can also be a sign of heart disease in dogs, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Dogs may cough while drinking water due to drinking too fast, which can lead to air ingestion.

Cold water can cause spasms in the throat muscles, leading to coughing, so try offering your dog room temperature or slightly warm water to see if that helps.

Inflammation and irritation of the upper airways can cause coughing when your dog drinks water, especially if it's cold water.

This can lead to chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, especially in older dogs, so if you notice this behavior, it's essential to see a vet.

Drinking water can irritate the throat and cause coughing, especially in dogs with underlying respiratory issues.

Some breeds, like short-nosed breeds, may be more prone to airway issues, which can cause coughing after drinking water.

Heart disease and collapsing trachea in small breeds can also lead to coughing after drinking water.

If your dog is coughing after drinking water, it's crucial to determine the underlying cause, as it could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Coughing in dogs after drinking water can be caused by a narrow trachea, known as hypoplastic trachea. This condition is more common in small breeds with shorter noses.

Some common symptoms of hypoplastic trachea include coughing, weight loss, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it's essential to check with your vet.

A coughing dog may exhibit short, hacking sounds that involve movement of the chest, and sometimes a small bit of saliva or clear fluid may fly from the mouth. Coughing can be either dry or productive, meaning it brings up mucus.

There are many causes of coughing in dogs, and determining the cause is key to treating your dog's cough. Some possible causes include having a sore or dry throat, or lung problems.

Here are some common signs of a coughing dog:

If you suspect your dog has heart disease or heartworm, it's essential to take them to the vet for a check-up.

Kennel Cough is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, and it's highly contagious, spreading like the common cold in a kindergarten class.

The infection causes a dry cough in dogs, which can be transferred outdoors through the air or by drinking from communal water bowls at the dog park.

Symptoms of Kennel Cough include a short, hacking cough with movement of the chest, occasionally accompanied by a small bit of saliva or clear fluid flying from the mouth.

If your dog is coughing, it's essential to pay attention to other dogs around them, as group settings are the most common threat of Kennel Cough.

Kennel Cough can resolve itself or be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your vet, but it's crucial to contact your veterinarian if your dog's condition doesn't improve within one week.

In many cases, Kennel Cough treatment isn't terribly involved, but it's still essential to call your vet if you suspect your dog is ill.

Prevention is key, and avoiding dogs that seem sick can help reduce the risk of Kennel Cough.

If you notice your dog coughing after drinking water, it's essential to pay attention to the signs of illness. A coughing dog may have short, hacking sounds that involve movement of the chest.

The cough may be accompanied by a small bit of saliva or clear fluid flying from the mouth. Sometimes, coughing is dry, and other times it's productive, bringing up mucus that the dog either swallows or spits out.

If your dog's cough is worsening in frequency or severity, it's time to call the vet. This is especially true if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms like eye or nose discharge, sneezing, fever, or lethargy.

Here are some worrisome symptoms to watch out for:

Many cases of coughing in dogs after drinking water will go away on their own, but it's still important to call your vet if you suspect your dog is ill.

Treating a cough requires a diagnosis, so you'll likely need to work with your vet to determine the cause.

Your vet can provide antibiotics if necessary, and some rescue groups or shelters may offer follow-up advice and medicine at little or no cost to you.

If your dog's symptoms don't improve within one week, or if they show other signs like nasal or eye discharge, vomiting, fever, etc., it's a good idea to contact your veterinarian.

You can also try some at-home remedies for coughing and gagging, but be sure to follow your vet's advice and not use them as a substitute for a vet visit.

Kennel cough treatment is relatively straightforward. Many cases will resolve on their own within a week.

If your dog's symptoms persist or worsen, contact your veterinarian immediately. If your dog doesn't show improvement within one week, it could be a sign of something more serious.

You can treat kennel cough with antibiotics if necessary, but in some cases, it's not needed. Your pet's symptoms should improve within one week, with or without medication.

It's essential to contact your veterinarian if your dog shows signs of nasal or eye discharge, vomiting, fever, or other concerning symptoms. This could indicate a more severe issue that requires professional attention.

If you're experiencing mild signs of gagging, there are some at-home remedies you can try.

Keep in mind that these remedies are not meant to replace a visit to the vet. They're more like temporary solutions to help you wait out a vet appointment or follow up on your vet's advice.

One thing you can try is to give your pet plenty of fresh air and water. This can help ease their discomfort and prevent dehydration.

In some cases, a warm compress on the throat area may also provide some relief.

It's essential to remember that these remedies are only for mild cases and should not be used as a substitute for proper veterinary care.

Consider reading: Why Do Dogs Stop Drinking Water

Humidify the air can be a game-changer for dogs with upper respiratory infections.

Breathing in moist air can help loosen mucus that's unable to leave a dog's airways with coughing alone.

Dogs can benefit from the use of a humidifier in a room of your home.

If you don't have a humidifier, steam from a hot shower can serve the same purpose.

Bring your dog into a small bathroom, turn the shower to "hot", and close the door to create a humid environment.

Allow your dog to breathe the warm humidified air for up to 15 minutes at a time, provided it doesn't get too hot in the bathroom.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Hot Dog Flavored Water

You'll need a diagnosis to treat a cough, so work closely with your vet to make a proper diagnosis. They can help you figure out what's wrong with your dog.

Reviewing the difference between coughing, gagging, and vomiting before the appointment can be helpful, so you can use the right terms with your vet. This can help you communicate more effectively about your dog's symptoms.

Your vet can work with you to develop a treatment and/or management plan, even if your dog has a serious condition like congestive heart failure or cancer. With the right plan, your dog's quality of life can remain good for as long as possible.

If your dog is having trouble breathing, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. Acting quickly in these situations can save your dog's life.

Treating a cough in dogs requires a diagnosis, and in most cases, you'll need the help of your vet to make a proper diagnosis.

To prevent kennel cough, avoid dogs that seem sick, especially in group settings where the disease is most common.

Kennel cough is a common cause of coughing and can be passed along like a cold, so be aware of the other dogs around your dog.

If your dog is diagnosed with kennel cough, antibiotics prescribed by your vet can help resolve the issue.

At-home remedies for coughing and gagging can be helpful in mild cases, but they're not intended to replace a visit to your vet.

Work with your veterinarian to develop a treatment and/or management plan, whether your dog has kennel cough or another underlying condition.

If your dog is having trouble breathing, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately, as this can be a sign of respiratory distress.

Some dog owners may notice their dogs coughing after drinking water due to specific conditions.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus, also known as bloat, can cause a dog to cough after drinking water.

Dogs with tracheal collapse may experience coughing after drinking water due to the narrowing of their airways.

Aspiration pneumonia can be caused by a dog drinking water too quickly, leading to coughing.

Tracheal collapse is a condition that affects the windpipe, specifically the cartilage rings that keep the throat open for air to pass through to the lungs. These rings weaken and lose shape, causing the trachea to collapse inward.

In small breed dogs like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers, tracheal collapse is more common due to various factors such as genetics, obesity, and airway infections.

Genetics play a significant role in tracheal collapse, making it more likely to occur in certain breeds. Drinking water too quickly can also trigger a coughing episode in dogs with this issue.

To manage symptoms, feeding smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the amount of air swallowed can be helpful. Using a slow drinker water bowl is also a good idea.

A harness instead of a collar can put pressure on the trachea and exacerbate coughing, so it's best to avoid using collars altogether. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the strain on their airways and lungs.

In severe cases of tracheal collapse, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. However, lifestyle changes and medication can manage most dogs with mild to moderate tracheal collapse.

Laryngeal paralysis is a condition that affects a dog's larynx or voice box, causing difficulty breathing, coughing, and other symptoms. It's more common in older dogs and can be exacerbated by underlying medical conditions.

In one study by NCBI, 19% of dogs with a cough had laryngeal paralysis or weakness of the muscles without any other signs of an infected larynx.

If your dog drinks water too quickly, it can cause the larynx to spasm, leading to temporary larynx paralysis and making breathing difficult for the dog. This can be a challenging situation to manage, especially if your dog is prone to gulping water quickly.

To prevent laryngeal paralysis, keep an eye on your dog's drinking habits and encourage them to drink slowly. You can also try using a water bowl with a slow-drip feature or a bowl with a wide base to make it harder for your dog to gulp water quickly.

Here are some common symptoms of laryngeal paralysis:

If you suspect your dog has laryngeal paralysis, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

BOAS is a condition that affects dogs with short snouts, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, causing breathing difficulties that can make drinking water normally a problem.

These dogs often have breathing difficulties due to the shape of their skull, the length of their soft palate, and the size of their nostrils. The shape of the dog's skull is a major contributor to BOAS.

Symptoms of BOAS can include coughing, gagging, and difficulty breathing, especially during exercise or when the dog is excited after drinking water. In severe cases, the dog could collapse or have trouble getting enough oxygen, which can be life-threatening.

Treatment for BOAS can include surgery to widen the dog's nostrils or shorten their soft palate, as well as exercise to lose weight to relieve symptoms. Not all dogs with BOAS require surgery, and treatment will depend on the severity of their symptoms.

Here are some common symptoms of BOAS:

Hypoplastic trachea is a condition where a dog's windpipe is narrower than usual. This can make it harder for them to drink water smoothly, leading to coughing fits.

Some small breeds, especially those with shorter noses, are more prone to hypoplastic trachea. This is because their narrower trachea can't handle the flow of water as well as a normal-sized trachea.

Coughing is a common symptom of hypoplastic trachea, but it's often accompanied by other signs like weight loss and lethargy. Difficulty breathing can also be a concern.

Here are some common symptoms of hypoplastic trachea:

If you suspect your dog has hypoplastic trachea, it's essential to take them to the vet for a check-up. Your vet may recommend diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your dog's coughing.