Mary Allen
Is your dog coughing and choking? Is he tired and have no appetite?
Then you should first of all have a veterinarian clarify what the cause is, because these can be very diverse!
However, there are some great home remedies that can relieve a dog’s cough. We don’t want to withhold them from you!
In this article we will tell you the 5 best home remedies for your dog’s cough, runny nose and sore throat.
We wish you a lot of fun reading and a speedy recovery!
In a nutshell: Which home remedies help with coughing in dogs?
There are a few home remedies that can help with coughing in dogs. Outstanding teas with antibacterial and pain-relieving effects can be made from well-known medicinal herbs such as sage, fennel or chamomile. But fennel honey, ginger and the good old hot-water bottle can also score points as home remedies for coughs.
The 5 best home remedies for cough in dogs
Below you will find an overview of the five best home remedies for coughing in dogs.
Attention danger!
There are many alternative healing methods and home remedies that you can use to aid in your dog’s recovery. However, a cough can be a sign of many serious diseases in your dog and you should definitely get it checked out by a veterinarian.
1. Tea for dogs
Increasing fluid intake is always a good idea during a cold to flush viruses out of the body and keep your dog from becoming dehydrated. Many medicinal plants are also known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
As tea for dogs with cough is suitable:
- Camomile tea
- fennel tea
- sage tea
- ginger tea
You prepare the tea normally, just as you would pour it for yourself. It is important that your dog only drinks the tea when it has cooled down sufficiently.
When buying tea for your dog, pay attention to organic quality and tea without aroma and other additives.
Since not all dogs are enthusiastic tea drinkers, you can also mix the tea water with their food.
2. Fennel Honey
Fennel honey is also very beneficial for your dog when it comes to coughing. In addition to its anti-irritant and pain-relieving effect, fennel honey with its high vitamin C content is a real immune booster!
Please always portion the sweet honey conscientiously!
Depending on the size of your dog, half a teaspoon to one teaspoon per cough day is sufficient.
You can either dissolve the honey in a tea, let your dog lick it straight off the spoon, or mix it with his food.
3. Inhale with tea or sea salt
We also know this home remedy from our own colds. Inhaling tea or sea salt is just a little different for dogs.
You need a transport box in which your dog stays during this time. Place a bowl with water at a maximum of 60 degrees in front of the box. Put what you want your dog to inhale into the water. For example, chamomile tea or sea salt.
Now place a blanket, towel or sheet over the transport box AND the bowl of water. Your dog can inhale the water vapor in the resulting cave.
You should stay close so your dog doesn’t panic and you can check on how he’s doing in between.
Attention danger!
Please be careful with the hot water! Place the bowl far enough away from the box that your dog cannot reach it with its snout.
4. Ginger
Ginger is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, most dogs do not like it very much on its own.
You can pour it into your dog’s cough as a tea or mix a small amount pureed with his food.
Tip:
Be a bit more economical with ginger. Excessive amounts of the pungent tuber can irritate your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
5. Hot water bottle
A sore throat and a dog with a cold can help its recovery just as much as a hot water bottle can help us.
You can put the hot water bottle in the basket if your dog likes it. Just make sure it’s not so hot that your dog burns itself!
Since a hot-water bottle is difficult to place around the neck, you can also tie a scarf around it. This will relieve your dog’s sore throat.
3 causes of cough in dogs
There can be many causes behind coughing in dogs. You will now get to know three of them.
1. Cold
Just like humans, dogs can catch a cold. Typical signs of a cold in dogs are coughing and sneezing, watery eyes, loss of appetite and listlessness. Wheezing and fever can also be symptoms of a cold.
With an intact immune system, your dog will usually recover within a few days. If he gets progressively worse, please take him to a veterinarian!
2. Viral infections
There are several viral infections that your dog can catch. Many viral infections are accompanied by a dry cough and other symptoms such as loss of appetite and tiredness.
Common infectious diseases in dogs are:
- kennel cough
- distemper
- Lyme disease
- demodicosis
- parvovirus
Good to know:
A rough, dry cough can be a sign of kennel cough. If your dog is coughing, you should get him treated by a veterinarian. Stronger medications are often needed than just small home remedies.
3. Pneumonia, laryngitis, tonsillitis
Loud and dry coughing and frequent coughing fits can indicate pneumonia, larynx or tonsillitis.
Difficulty swallowing, choking or vomiting caused by the cough, and discharge of white mucus can also be signs of inflammation or upper airways.
Such an inflammation must be treated by a veterinarian!
When do I have to go to the vet?
If your dog is coughing, it can be for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, many of these are very painful for your dog and can even become life-threatening if left untreated!
That’s why you should always consult a veterinarian if you notice your dog is coughing!
Conclusion
If your dog is coughing, it may just be a nasty cold. But many other diseases such as pneumonia or tonsillitis, kennel cough or Lyme disease could also be behind the cough.
It is therefore important that you always have the cause of your dog’s cough clarified by a veterinarian!
You can still support your dog at home.
Great home remedies for coughing in dogs are:
- Chamomile, fennel, ginger or sage tea
- fennel honey
- Inhale with tea or sea salt
- Ginger
- hot water bottle & scarf
- red light lamp