My dog is coughing like he's choking. Can I give him cough syrup?

We do not normally recommend a cough suppressant over the counter for coughing in dogs without first examining the pet as there are some cases where a cough suppressant would be contraindicated. If your dog is coughing, I would definitely recommend an examination by a veterinarian as there can be many different causes for the cough, including infectious disease, anatomical abnormalities like collapsing trachea, heart failure, heartworm infection, and more. We need to try to determine the underlying cause of the cough before we can properly treat the cough.

I would not recommend giving him anything over the counter for the cough as it's probably not going to help much and human medications are generally not safe for dogs. if the cough becomes severe he will need antibiotic and strong anti coughing meds, if that happens take him to the vet in order to get the medications, otherwise the condition should resolve within a couple weeks without treatment.

I’m sorry to hear about Tanner. This sounds like it could be collapsing trachea which is a chronic disease. I would avoid human cough syrup as the dosing is unknown and if it contains decongestants it can be potentially toxic. Finally, some of the sweeteners used in medicines can be toxic to dogs. Take one more trip to the vet and discuss the pros and cons of a more long-term prescription for a dog-safe cough suppressant. Best of luck to you and Tanner!

I would recommend that you have your puppy re-evaluated by a veterinarian. Kennel cough does not usually cause this severe of a depression. It can, however, turn into pneumonia and should be treated very seriously. There are no human OTC cough suppressants that are safe to use in his situation since we don't know exactly what is going on. Warm water with honey and lemon is safe, and may soothe a simple cough.

Oh no, poor Rosie! I would not give her any more Robitussin, as too much is not safe for dogs. Kennel cough is a self limiting disease that last three to four weeks, and while medications can help with the symptoms, they will not completely prevent the symptoms of it. I would have Rosie seen by a vet, who can prescribe medications are safe to give her. There are some things you can do for her at home. Any dog with kennel cough should be isolated for at least two weeks, possibly longer depending on the severity of the infection. Keep her in a well-humidified area, and use a harness instead of a collar to minimize coughing. Rest her for at least seven days to minimize irritation of the airways caused by excessive coughing. You can bring Rosie into the bathroom with you while you have a shower, as the steam may help with the respiratory irritation. I recommend having her seen by a vet tomorrow.

Hi there! Asher is very cute :) Many human cough syrups have ingredients that are dangerous for dogs, so we don't recommend giving them unless your veterinarian has recommended a specific product and given you a dosage to use. There are many things that can cause coughing in dogs, and treatment will depend on what the underlying problem is. Because of this, if Asher is coughing enough that you feel he needs medication, I would recommend taking him to the vet for an exam. He/she can listen to his heart and lungs, and may recommend chest x-rays or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem. If he has a condition that cough syrup would be useful for, your vet will recommend a specific product to use, or may prescribe a cough syrup specifically for dogs if necessary.

Some syrups are, but certain ones have ingerdients that can harm dogs. You can repost with the ingredients or ring your vet to ask if it is safe. Bear in mind that we are not allowed to give out dosages.