Food allergies can cause coughing in dogs, much like they cause coughing in humans. While coughing is not the main symptom of food allergies in a dog, it can signal a possible allergy when coupled with other symptoms.
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Symptoms
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The main symptom of food allergies in a dog is an itchy skin rash. Other symptoms include coughing, sneezing, trouble breathing, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and discharge from the dog's nose and eyes.
Genetics
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Certain breeds of dog are more prone to developing food allergies than others. Terriers, golden retrievers, poodles, schnauzers and Dalmatians are more susceptible to all kinds of allergies.
Causes
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Food allergies in dogs develop over time due to sensitivity to a certain product. Fish, chicken, beef, corn and eggs are all ingredients commonly known to cause allergies in dogs.
Treatment
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The best way to treat a dog food allergy is to eliminate the food causing the allergy from the dog's diet. Changing to a natural or holistic food helps in some cases, as these foods generally have more healthy ingredients and a lower number of fillers.
Control
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Once you have got your dog's food allergies under control, the coughing should naturally subside. If the dog continues to cough, a vet can prescribe an antihistamine, or antibiotic if there's an infection, to clear up the cough and any other allergy symptoms.
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