Why Does My Dog Cough After Drinking Water? Causes, Concerns, and Solutions

If you’ve ever seen your dog start hacking and coughing immediately after taking a drink of water, you know it can be a little scary. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, and some of them are more serious than others. The most common reasons dogs cough after drinking water are related to the way they swallow or the fact that they’ve inhaled some of the water down the wrong pipe (the trachea instead of the esophagus), but these issues can be caused by everything from excitement to a respiratory disease.

To help you get to the bottom of this mystery, we’ll go over the most common reasons for this behavior according to veterinarians. This way, you can understand the physiology and potential causes and make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your dog healthy and prevent this from happening. With expert advice and targeted treatments, we hope to give you the information you need to make sure your dog stays well-hydrated and cough-free.

Anatomical and Respiratory Causes of Coughing

If your dog is coughing after drinking water, it could be due to anatomical abnormalities or respiratory issues that affect their ability to swallow. One of the most common causes is tracheal collapse, which is especially common in small to medium-sized dogs that are middle-aged, such as Pomeranians and Yorkshire Terriers. Tracheal collapse causes a cough that sounds like a "goose honk" when the dog is excited or drinking, according to Dr. Sara Ochoa of Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital.

Another cause of coughing after drinking water is laryngeal paralysis, which is more common in older dogs. This condition occurs when the muscles of the larynx become weak and fail to close when a dog swallows, allowing water to enter the trachea and cause coughing. In addition to coughing after drinking water, kennel cough, which is caused by a combination of bacteria, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, and viruses, is known for causing a persistent, forceful cough that can be triggered or worsened by drinking water.

In some cases, water or another substance can be inhaled into the lungs, a condition known as aspiration, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia and cause a dog to cough. In addition, if a dog has an underlying respiratory condition, such as allergies, asthma, or a lung disease, it can cause the airways to become inflamed and make a dog more susceptible to coughing after drinking. If your dog is coughing after drinking and the cough is persistent or severe, make sure to see your vet right away to rule out or address any potential health issues.

Other Causes of Coughing After Drinking Water

In addition to tracheal collapse, coughing after drinking water may be due to esophageal disorders, such as cricopharyngeal achalasia or megaesophagus, that interfere with a dog's ability to swallow properly. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also cause the esophagus to become inflamed and lead to coughing after drinking.

Coughing after drinking water may be caused by foreign bodies or blockages in the throat or airway. In addition, congestive heart failure, a type of heart disease, can lead to coughing due to fluid in the lungs. Some dogs may also be more prone to coughing due to certain medications or food allergies.

If your dog is coughing after drinking water, especially if the coughing is severe or persistent, it's important to work with your vet to determine the cause and find a solution. This will help ensure your dog's health and happiness.

When to Be Concerned and When to See a Vet

If your dog is coughing after drinking water and it happens once or twice, it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if the coughing is persistent or happens frequently, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed by a vet. The CARE Charlotte Veterinarians note that other signs that you should be concerned about in addition to coughing include labored breathing, weakness, loss of appetite, exercise intolerance, and coughing up blood or phlegm.

If your dog is having trouble breathing, coughing a lot, or seems like they are in distress, PetMD says that you should get them to a vet immediately because it could be a medical emergency. When you take your dog to the vet, make sure to give them a detailed history of your dog’s coughing episodes, including when they happen, how often they happen, and any other symptoms that you have noticed.

Make sure to get any diagnostic tests that your vet recommends, and make sure to follow their treatment plan and any recommendations for follow-up care. The Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies explain that a cough that is caused by heart failure is a sign that the heart is decompensating and that this is a medical emergency that needs to be addressed by a vet.

Prevention and Coping Tips for Coughing After Drinking Water

To prevent and cope with coughing after drinking water, experts suggest using a raised water bowl to promote proper drinking posture and reduce the risk of water going down the windpipe. PawSafe also suggests slowing down your dog's drinking by using a puzzle feeder or placing objects in the water bowl to discourage gulping.

Making sure your dog stays well-hydrated by offering water throughout the day can help prevent coughing episodes. The Rover blog recommends not feeding your dog right before or after exercise to help prevent coughing and regurgitation.

It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your dog's diet to see if there are any food sensitivities or allergies that might be contributing to coughing. Also, the Rover blog suggests using a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting pressure on the trachea and causing further irritation.

While these measures can help with mild or occasional coughing, if your dog is coughing a lot or the coughing is severe, you should still see a vet to make sure there isn't an underlying issue that needs to be treated.

Home Remedies and First Aid for Coughing Episodes

If your dog is only experiencing mild, occasional coughing episodes, there are a few home remedies that can help. Natural remedies like honey or chicken broth can help soothe the throat and thin out mucus. The Whole Dog Journal notes that honey is a great home remedy for kennel cough because it can help reduce coughing. You can also help reduce respiratory irritation by providing steam therapy through a humidifier or letting your dog join you in a steamy shower, as recommended by PetMD.

If your dog is experiencing coughing episodes, make sure they get plenty of rest and avoid exercise to prevent further irritation, according to the Rover blog. However, if your dog is choking or having difficulty breathing, take immediate action by trying to remove any visible obstructions and performing the Heimlich maneuver if necessary, as explained by Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics.

Always consult with a vet before giving your dog any over-the-counter medications or home remedies to make sure they are safe and suitable for your dog's condition.

Conclusion: How to Help Your Dog With Coughing After Drinking Water

If your dog is coughing after drinking water, it's likely that they are drinking too quickly. When a dog drinks water too quickly, they can accidentally inhale some of it into their trachea, which is also known as the windpipe. Since water is not supposed to go into the trachea, the body's natural response is to cough to expel the water, according to the Whole Dog Journal.

Coughing after drinking can also be a sign of a condition that affects the dog's throat, such as a collapsing trachea or laryngeal paralysis. These conditions can cause a cough that sounds like a goose honk as the trachea collapses and then reinflates or as the dog tries to open their airway.

If your dog is coughing after drinking water often, it may be a good idea to take them to the vet to make sure that there isn't a physical issue causing the cough. If your dog's coughing is persistent or severe, it's important to get it checked out as it may be a sign of a more serious issue.

By learning about the causes of coughing after drinking water, understanding the signs of concern, and taking the appropriate actions, pet parents can help ensure that their dogs are comfortable, well-hydrated, and free from coughing.