Collapsed trachea happens when a dog’s windpipe becomes weak and narrow, which can make breathing noisy and lead to that familiar honking cough. It’s most common in small dogs and often shows up during excitement, exercise, or as they get older. With the right care, simple lifestyle changes, and supportive treatment, many dogs continue to feel good and enjoy a happy, comfortable life.
Do not use a collar with your dog. We recommend using a harness.
CBD Dog Health Breathe Easy Duo or CBD Dog Health Respiratory Duo (15% coupon: SAVINGPETS) can be very beneficial.
Do not use diffusers, candles or essential oils in your home if your dog has a collapsed trachea. Also, do not expose your pet to smoke.
Collapsed trachea is a condition where the windpipe softens and narrows, making it harder for a dog to breathe comfortably. It is most commonly seen in small and toy breeds and can range from mild to severe.
This condition often affects dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Shih Tzus, Maltese, and Pugs, though it can occur in any breed. Dogs who are overweight, middle-age to senior, or highly excitable may be more prone to developing symptoms.
There are several possible causes. Some dogs are born with weaker tracheal cartilage, while others develop it as they age. Excess weight can place additional pressure on the airway, and episodes of excitement, stress, heat, or exercise can trigger coughing and breathing difficulty.
The most well-known sign is a persistent “honking” cough, especially during activity or excitement. Other symptoms may include wheezing, noisy or labored breathing, bluish gums from reduced oxygen levels, and in more serious cases, fainting.
Diagnosis is typically made through a physical examination along with imaging such as X-rays. In some cases, fluoroscopy, which is a live X-ray, is used to observe how the trachea moves during breathing.
Treatment focuses on reducing stress on the airway and managing symptoms. Lifestyle changes play a major role and often include weight management, avoiding strenuous activity, minimizing excitement, and switching from a collar to a harness to prevent pressure on the neck. Medications may be used to control coughing, reduce airway inflammation, open the airways, or treat secondary infections if present. In severe cases where medical management is no longer effective, surgery may be recommended to place a stent that helps keep the trachea open.
The outlook for dogs with collapsed trachea depends on the severity of the condition and how well it responds to treatment. With proper management and ongoing care, many dogs are able to live comfortable, happy lives.
If you suspect your dog may have a collapsed trachea, working closely with a holistic veterinarian can help ensure an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs.
Supports: Skin, Coat, Joints, Immunity, Heart, Brain, Eyes & Nervous System.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Complete and Balanced recipe for dogs of 6 months and older. Easy preparation, Ready to Serve meals that can be fed based on dog’s specific needs, their element profile, or simple rotate any of the Constitution diets for a diversification of nutritional profiles. Formulated with ingredients specifically chosen to be energetically balancing according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Great source of multi-proteins, naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and omegas. Wonderful aids for targeted immune and digestive systems.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Support your dog’s immune system and respiratory function with this powerful pairing of HEAL Full Spectrum Hemp Extract and Breathe by MycoDog mushroom blend. Ideal for promoting clear airways, immune resilience, and overall vitality.
This Duo Can Help Support:
Healthy respiratory function
Clear airways & normal breathing
Immune system balance
Cellular health & vitality
Energy levels in active or aging dogs
Whole-body wellness
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Our Oxygen Kits for Dogs are an ideal solution for pet owners who want to be prepared for emergency situations, during transportation to a care facility or when administering oxygen to their dog at home for a health condition. Our kits contain everything you need to administer oxygen on the spot to your pet, just select their weight range. This product is available for purchase without the need for a prescription from your veterinarian. Depending on your pet's weight range, a single kit will give you anywhere from 90-30 minutes of 99% pure oxygen, you can always add more canisters to your order if anticipate needing more oxygen.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
“Natural Remedies for Collapsed Trachea in Dogs with Dr. Judy Morgan” by Angela Ardolino.
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade): “How to Use Oxygen Therapy for Your Pet”.
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade): “Chronic Coughing Requires a Diagnosis”.
“Why Is Your Dog Coughing Like He’s Choking? Tracheal Collapse & Updated Holistic Remedies!” by Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM.
If you have a question on this topic that wasn’t answered here, we invite you to ask it in our Facebook group.
This is what we would do:
Yes. Many dogs live comfortably for years with proper management. While a collapsed trachea is a structural weakness of the airway that cannot be reversed, symptoms can often be controlled through weight management, reducing airway irritation, using a harness instead of a collar, feeding a minimally processed anti-inflammatory diet, and supporting connective tissue health. Severity and stage determine long-term outlook.
Common triggers include excitement, pulling on a collar, obesity, heat, poor air quality, secondhand smoke, respiratory infections, and systemic inflammation. Small breed dogs such as Yorkshire Terrier and Pomeranian are especially prone. Reducing environmental irritants and supporting overall inflammatory balance can significantly decrease flare-ups.
Most dogs are managed medically and with lifestyle changes. Surgery, such as tracheal stenting, is typically reserved for severe Grade 3–4 cases where medical management no longer controls symptoms. Even in advanced cases, improving diet quality, maintaining ideal body weight, and reducing airway stress remain important parts of long-term support.
We encourage you to download and share these graphics for personal use and on social media, if desired. However, please note that these graphics cannot be altered in any manner, and you are not authorized to present them as your original creations.
The graphics presented herein are the intellectual property of the identified original creators, used with permission here, or are the result of our own development. Any use for resale or commercial purposes requires explicit written consent from the content creators.
We’ve poured our hearts into creating this website for you, and we’re still bustling with excitement to keep it going! As a team of volunteers, we’re using our own resources to bring this information to life. There are many ways you can show your support for our efforts. We greatly appreciate it! If we’ve been able to help you on your journey to a healthier pet, we would love it if you consider showing your support.
