The Ottawa River, Mooney’s Bay, the Rideau Canal, local lakes… Summer here basically means wet dogs. Most of the time, everybody comes home happy and soggy.
But if your dog comes home coughing after a swim, it’s worth paying attention. Sometimes it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s the first sign of something that can turn serious over the next several hours, even if your dog seems mostly fine right now.
Why do dogs cough after swimming
The most common reason is simple water aspiration: inhaling a small amount of water into the airways during a vigorous swim. Dogs that dive for toys, swim into waves, or play enthusiastically in moving water tend to swallow and inhale more water than calm, steady swimmers. A brief cough immediately after getting out is the body’s way of clearing that.
This usually resolves within a few minutes. If it doesn’t, or if your dog’s breathing changes over the hours following the swim, that’s a different situation.
Secondary drowning in dogs
Secondary drowning, also called delayed drowning or dry drowning, happens when enough water is inhaled to cause gradual fluid buildup in the lungs over the hours following a swim. A dog can come out of the water looking completely fine and then slowly deteriorate through the evening.
What to watch for after any significant water exposure: persistent coughing that doesn’t clear, labored or unusual breathing, lethargy that seems beyond just being tired from a swim, or a dog that generally doesn’t seem like themselves. These signs can emerge anywhere from 1 to 24 hours after the swim. If you see them developing, come in, don’t sleep on it, and check in the morning.
Other reasons a dog might cough after being in the water
Kennel cough is another possibility that can seem connected to swimming when the timing is coincidental. If your dog was swimming somewhere with other dogs around, they may have picked up canine infectious tracheobronchitis. It produces a distinctive dry, honking cough and typically shows up three to five days after exposure.
Blue-green algae are less common but serious. Ottawa-area lakes and slow-moving water can develop cyanobacterial blooms in summer, and dogs that swallow contaminated water can develop respiratory symptoms, neurological signs, and GI illness. Always check Ottawa Public Health advisories before letting your dog swim in any lake or pond that looks discolored or has surface scum.
When to visit an urgent vet
Come in if your dog is coughing persistently more than 30 to 60 minutes after the swim. If they’re breathing with any effort or making unusual noises. If they seem lethargic or just not themselves in a way that’s hard to shake. If at any point their gums look pale, gray, or blue. If they were submerged unexpectedly or swallowed a significant amount of water. Or if things seem fine right after the swim, but you notice a gradual change over the following hours.
A dog that seems okay is not always a dog that is okay. Secondary drowning is specifically a situation where the window between ‘seems fine’ and ‘needs urgent help’ can be deceptively short.
What you can do at home for a mild cough
If the coughing was brief, cleared quickly, and your dog seems completely normal, keep them calm and quiet for the rest of the day. No more swimming or vigorous exercise. Offer water in small amounts rather than letting them drink heavily all at once. Monitor their breathing and energy level over the next several hours.
If anything changes or if you’re unsure, call us or come in. It’s a quick assessment and worth the peace of mind.
FAQ
How long after swimming should I worry about coughing?
Coughing that clears within a few minutes is usually fine. Persistent coughing for 30 to 60 minutes, or coughing that develops or worsens in the hours after the swim, is a reason to come in.
Can dogs get pneumonia from swallowing water?
Yes. Aspiration pneumonia can develop after inhaling water, and it often presents with a delay. Your dog may seem fine initially and worsen over the following 24 to 48 hours. Labored breathing, fever, and increasing lethargy are the signs to watch for.
Can I give my dog anything at home for a cough after swimming?
Don’t give human cough medications — many are toxic to dogs. Rest and monitoring are appropriate for brief, mild coughing that resolves quickly. Anything persistent needs professional assessment rather than something from the medicine cabinet.
Dog coughing after a swim and it’s not clearing up?
Come in to Galaxy Vets Urgent Care & Walk-In : Ottawa. We`re open noon to midnight every day.