So, if your pet does develop a cough it may well NOT be due to a simple respiratory tract infection. It could be the sign of more serious problems so you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
There are numerous causes of coughing in cats and dogs, and some of the most common are:
Foreign material entering the airways (food, drink)
Inflammation - infections (e.g. kennel cough in dogs), smoke, chronic bronchitis
Compression of airways - heart disease, cancer
Collapse of airways - tracheal collapse in toy breeds of dog, laryngeal paralysis in older large dogs (eg retrievers)
Excess mucus secretion
Trauma causing haemorrhage
Other causes of lung haemorrhage e.g. warfarin poisoning
Causes of fluid on the lung - e.g. acute cardiac failure