Co dát psovi když kašle? Praktické rady a bezpečné možnosti

When your dog starts coughing, it’s not just annoying-it’s worrying. You hear that dry, hacking sound in the middle of the night, or maybe a wet, rattling cough after a walk. Your first thought? Co dát psovi když kašle? You want to help, fast. But giving your dog random human medicine or home remedies without knowing the cause can make things worse. The truth is, coughing in dogs isn’t one problem-it’s a symptom. And the solution depends entirely on what’s behind it.

Proč pes kašle? Nejčastější příčiny

Dogs don’t cough for no reason. Unlike humans, they rarely catch a cold. If your dog is coughing, something’s wrong. The most common causes are:

• Tracheobronchitida (kennel cough) - a highly contagious infection, often after contact with other dogs at the park, groomer, or boarding facility. It sounds like a goose honk-dry, sudden, and persistent.
• Choroby srdce - especially in older or small breeds. A heart that can’t pump well causes fluid to back up into the lungs, leading to a soft, moist cough, often worse at night or after lying down.
• Stísněný dýchací systém - like collapsing trachea in toy breeds (Chihuahuas, Pomeranians). The windpipe weakens and collapses when they pull on the leash, triggering coughing fits.
• Paraziti - heartworms (in endemic areas) or lungworms can cause chronic coughing, fatigue, and breathing trouble.
• Alergie nebo dráždění - smoke, dust, perfume, or cleaning chemicals can irritate the airways.
• Cizí těleso nebo nádor - less common, but a piece of grass stuck in the throat or a tumor in the lungs can cause persistent coughing.

Don’t guess. If your dog coughs more than a few times a day for over 48 hours, or if it’s accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, or blue gums, see a vet immediately. These aren’t signs to wait out.

Co můžete dát psovi doma? Bezpečné a užitečné možnosti

While you’re waiting for the vet appointment-or if your vet confirms it’s a mild case of kennel cough-here’s what actually helps:

• Voda a vlhkost - Keep your dog hydrated. Use a humidifier in the room where he sleeps. Moist air loosens mucus and soothes irritated airways. A steamy bathroom for 10 minutes (while you shower) can help too.
• Nezahřátý med - A teaspoon of raw, unprocessed honey (for dogs over 1 year) can calm throat irritation. Honey has natural antimicrobial and soothing properties. Don’t give it to puppies or diabetic dogs.
• Řepa nebo zelí - Cooked, mashed, and cooled beetroot or cabbage can help thin mucus. Mix a spoonful into his food. It’s not a cure, but it supports natural clearing.
• Teplé vývar - Homemade chicken or beef broth (no salt, no garlic, no onions) gives hydration and comfort. Let it cool before serving.
• Změna ležení - Elevate your dog’s head slightly with a pillow under his bed. This helps reduce nighttime coughing from post-nasal drip or heart-related fluid buildup.

These are supportive measures-not treatments. They won’t kill bacteria or fix a failing heart. But they can make your dog feel better while you get to the bottom of it.

Co NIKDY nesmíte dát psovi

Many well-meaning owners reach for human cough syrup, aspirin, or even CBD oil without knowing the risks. Here’s what’s dangerous:

• Human cough medicine - Most contain dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, or acetaminophen. All are toxic to dogs. Even a teaspoon can cause seizures, liver failure, or death.
• Česnek a cibule - Even in small amounts, they damage red blood cells and can cause anemia.
• Alkohol nebo kofein - Found in some homemade remedies or cleaning sprays. These are deadly.
• Antibiotikum bez předpisu - Giving antibiotics without knowing the cause breeds resistant bacteria. It also hides the real problem.
• Terapeutický olej nebo CBD bez veterinárního doporučení - Dose matters. Too much can cause lethargy, vomiting, or worse. Not all CBD products are safe or regulated.

If you’ve already given something, call your vet or the animal poison control center immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.

Když se obrátíte na veterináře: Co se stane?

A good vet won’t just prescribe medicine. They’ll ask questions and run tests:

• Anamnéza - When did the cough start? Does it happen after exercise? At night? After barking? Has he been around other dogs?
• Fyzikální vyšetření - Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope is the first step. A heart murmur? A wheeze? A collapsed trachea?
• Rentgen - Often needed to see lung patterns, heart size, or foreign objects.
• Testy na parazity - Fecal exam for lungworms, or blood test for heartworms.
• Tracheální endoskopie - If tracheal collapse is suspected, a tiny camera may be used to see inside the airway.

Based on findings, treatment might include:

• Antibiotika - For bacterial infections like kennel cough (e.g., doxycycline).
• Antitussiva - Cough suppressants like butorphanol or hydrocodone (only if coughing is severe and non-productive).
• Diuretika - For heart-related coughs (e.g., furosemide).
• Širokospektrální antiparazitika - For lungworms or heartworms.
• Chirurgie - Rarely, for tracheal stents or tumor removal.

Don’t expect a quick fix. Some conditions take weeks to manage. Follow-up visits matter.

Prevence: Jak předcházet kašli u psa

Prevention is always better than treatment:

• Vakcinace proti kennel coughu - The Bordetella vaccine is recommended for dogs who visit dog parks, boarding, or grooming. It’s not 100% effective, but it reduces severity.
• Používejte místo náprsního pásu vaz - If your dog has a collapsing trachea, a harness reduces pressure on the windpipe.
• Vyhněte se kouři a chemikáliím - Don’t smoke near your dog. Use pet-safe cleaners.
• Pravidelné kontroly a antiparazitika - Monthly heartworm prevention is essential in endemic areas. Talk to your vet about regional risks.
• Udržujte zdravou váhu - Overweight dogs strain their hearts and lungs, making coughs worse.

These aren’t just tips-they’re habits that extend your dog’s life.

Co dělat, když se kašel nezlepší?

If your dog’s cough lasts more than 10 days despite treatment, or gets worse, it’s time to ask for a second opinion. Some conditions are easy to miss:

• Chronická bronchitida - Common in older dogs. It’s inflammation, not infection. Needs long-term anti-inflammatory meds.
• Aspirační pneumonie - When food or saliva gets into the lungs. Happens in dogs with swallowing problems.
• Nádor plic - Often overlooked because it mimics infection. X-rays and CT scans are needed.

Don’t accept "it’s just old age" as an answer. Ask for imaging. Ask for blood work. Your dog deserves answers.

Často kladené otázky

Chtěl byste vědět víc?

If your dog’s cough persists, or if you’re unsure whether it’s serious, don’t wait. Early diagnosis saves lives. Take notes: when the cough happens, how often, what triggers it. Bring those to your vet. You know your dog better than anyone. Trust your gut-and act fast.