Symptom triage · dogs, cats and horses
Persistent coughing
Persistent cough
Quick answer
PETHEALTH+ rates persistent coughing as not usually an emergency — book a routine vet appointment in the next day or two. See the linked UK guides for likely causes and what to do, or use the free symptom checker for instant triage. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Guides for persistent coughing
Dogs
Why Is My Dog Coughing?
Dog coughing has many causes — **kennel cough, heart disease, tracheal collapse, allergies, and foreign bodies** are among the most common.
Cats
Cat Respiratory Infections UK
**Upper respiratory infections (URI)** — often called cat flu — cause sneezing, nasal discharge, eye watering and fever.
Horses
Horse Health Basics in the UK
**Colic** (abdominal pain) is the most common equine emergency in the UK — call your vet immediately if your horse shows distress, rolling or failure to pass droppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is persistent coughing an emergency in pets?
- Not usually an emergency, but it does need a vet. Book a routine appointment in the next day or two, sooner if your pet stops eating or deteriorates.
- Which pets does persistent coughing affect?
- This triage topic applies to dogs, cats and horses. If your pet shows these signs, use the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker for instant triage or phone your vet.
- What should I do right now?
- PETHEALTH+ rates this as not usually an emergency — book a routine vet appointment in the next day or two. The guides linked on this page explain likely causes and what your vet may suggest. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Not sure how urgent it is?
Answer two questions and the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker will tell you whether to phone a vet now, today, or monitor at home.