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My senior dog on heart medication has a hacking cough. Is honey safe?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Cocker Spaniel | Female | 14 years and 11 months old

My dog is on hearr medication but for the past 2 days she has a hacking cough. She is 15 in Feb. Otherwise ok, abit of a runny nose. Is honey ok to give as well.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 2nd, 2019

There is no harm in giving her honey, though it may not help at all. When dogs are in heart failure, or have a history or congestive heart failure or heart disease, usually a cough is due to one of 2 causes-- 1) fluid in the lungs OR 2) the enlargement of the heart pushes on the on the large airways, causing a "tickle" type cough response.
Take her in to see your vet. It would be best to have some chest X-rays taken to see if she is in congestive heart failure, and to monitor the size of the heart. If she is NOT in congestive heart failure, your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant medication to help ease the cough.
Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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