How Do You Know If Your Dog's Faking A Cough?

How Do You Know If Your Dog's Faking A Cough?

We’ve heard viral stories about dogs faking ill for attention or affection. So when you hear your dog start to cough, how do you know it’s real?

Why Fake It?

Dogs are smart, and they pick up on cause and effect. They’ve probably noticed that, in the past, coughing got them attention from you. So they may repeat the behavior to catch your eye and get cuddles.

Signs Of A Real Cough

  • When a dog is genuine coughing, their heads will lower and their necks will be extended outwards so their airways can open. They will then hack and cough with their mouths open, as though attempting to expel a foreign object.
  • Real coughs may also eventually develop into vomiting, sneezing, or snorting. The coughing will happen even when your dog is excited or happy.
  • In addition, a moist-sounding cough is almost guaranteed to be real.

Treatment

Even if you think your dog is faking it, it’s usually a good idea to talk to a vet when your dog starts coughing, as you’ll want to rule out any serious problems. Untreated coughs could lead to serious issues.

Bacterial coughs are quite common, and a round or two of antibiotics will be prescribed to help, or cough medicines for humans. Do not use human medications on your dog without your vet’s agreement.

Home Treatment

  • You can also attempt to treat a dog’s cough at home.
  • Half of a teaspoon (or one whole teaspoon) of honey, known for antifungal, antibacterial, and healing properties, can be given to your dog up to for times daily.
  • A teaspoon of coconut oil, which kills negative bacteria, can be added to food once daily.
  • You can also mix the two for extra powerful treatment. Speak to your vet before opting for any home remedies.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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