Two Simple Remedies You Can Make at Home For a Coughing Dog Natural and Safe Solutions to Soothe Your Dog

It’s two in the morning, and you wake up to the sound of something strange. It sounds almost human, but not quite. You turn on the lights and discover your dog in a corner, coughing up a storm. Almost every dog owner has experienced a situation like that at least once. 

It can be quite frightening because they really do sound like they are having a bad time. Typically, a cough in a dog is caused by conditions like kennel cough, which can resolve on its own. However, other times, it can be indicative of something serious. 

Naturally, a trip to the vet is in order, but until then, there are things you can do to soothe your dog’s throat. Did you know that dogs can benefit greatly from cough syrups? It’s not just us humans that use them to good effect. Sure, you can buy cough drops for dogs, but you may not have them at hand. 

In this article, we will look at two remedies you can make with easily accessible ingredients.

1. Good Old Honey

Dr. Awosika, MB, BS in Medicine & Healthcare from the College of Medicine, states that honey is known to have mild antibacterial properties, which help provide a soothing effect to the throat. It is one of the oldest recipes for coughing, having been used for millennia. Thankfully, this wonder substance works just as well for dogs as it does for humans.

According to PetMD, you can give your dog about half a teaspoon to one full teaspoon of honey. You will want to mix it up with a little water, though. Depending on how severe your dog’s cough is, you can feed this dog cough syrup recipe three times a day.

However, before reaching for a tin, remember that some types of honey aren’t ideal. You will want to avoid anything with added sugars and artificial ingredients. Try to use raw and organic honey as much as possible. 

2. Thyme Tea

Thyme is a beautiful herb that has been used just as long as honey in several recipes. Thyme is known for thymol, a compound that is both anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. As such, thyme tea can be used as a gentle cough remedy. Don’t worry; dogs can definitely consume thyme.

The best way to do this would be to steep a handful of fresh thyme leaves in hot water and allow them to cool. You might need to spoon-feed it to your dog, but be careful not to give it too much, as thyme can cause digestive issues.

The Importance of Seeking Veterinary Advice 

Something to keep in mind is that a dog’s cough can often be indicative of a more serious condition. It is possible that cough syrups will not fully treat the problem. Your dog could be facing a serious respiratory issue that requires X-rays, blood tests, and more.

Sometimes parasites like lungworm and heartworm can also be a cause of coughing. In such situations, medicines like Iverhart Max and Heartgard may be warranted.

It’s also possible that your vet might prescribe antibacterial medicines to deal with an infection. If that is the case, simply relying on honey or thyme tea isn’t going to do much. What’s more, some respiratory conditions can spread to other pets in the house. Thus, when you delay seeing a vet, you end up risking the health of other animals as well. 

In conclusion, a coughing dog is a sight that’s definitely sad to witness because you aren’t sure of the cause. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of treatments, from homemade syrups to cough drops. If you are relying on a home remedy, remember that it isn’t a long-term solution. 

Home remedies may treat the symptoms, but if it’s something more serious than kennel cough, then urgent treatment may be warranted.