I recently fostered a dog with a collapsed trachea. This was my first time encountering something like that after fostering for several years. The poor pup sounded like a toad or pig when he breathed too heavily, but with proper management, he can live a long, happy life. And he’s definitely one of the happiest little dogs I’ve ever met.
One of the most important parts of his care was walking him on a harness instead of attaching a leash to his collar. Because of his collapsed trachea, it’s crucial to not apply unnecessary pressure to this throat. While almost every harness is better than a collar in this situation, it got me thinking - what is the best harness for dogs with collapsed trachea?
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What is a Collapsed Trachea in Dogs?
A collapsing trachea in dogs is a progressive respiratory condition. As the name implies, it affects your dog’s trachea, which is a flexible tube that helps them breathe. If a dog has a collapsing trachea, that means the rings of cartilage in the trachea are collapsing, causing less air to get through. As a result, dogs may make a weird wheezing/dry coughing sound when they breathe heavily.
Dogs with collapsed trachea may have difficulties breathing, excessive coughing, and vomiting/gagging associated with coughing. The severity of these symptoms vary greatly depending on the individual dog and how much the trachea has collapsed. A collapsed trachea can happen for any dog, but it’s more common in small breeds.
Dogs with minor issues can live normal, healthy lives, but dogs with severe collapsed tracheas may require serious procedures. Consult your vet to determine the best course of action based on your dog’s needs.
How to Soothe a Dog with Collapsed Trachea
If your dog’s collapsed trachea symptoms are infrequent and don’t seem to bother them much, there’s likely not a need for advanced procedures like surgery. For many dogs, vets recommend managing the symptoms in various ways rather than putting the dog through risky treatments.
My foster dog who had a collapsing trachea only had breathing problems when he was really excited, such as going on a long walk or meeting new people. Otherwise, he was perfectly fine and happy. So, the vet didn’t want to do any type of surgery unless his symptoms severely worsened.
Here are some ways to manage a dog’s collapsing trachea:
Attach their leash to a harness instead of a collar to prevent pressure around their neck.
If your dog starts wheezing/coughing excessively, move them to a comfortable, calm environment until they relax.
Avoid walking your dog during extreme temperatures.
Keep your dog away from smoke, dust, and other potential irritants whenever possible.
Help your dog maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of breathing problems.
Take your dog in for regular checkups to ensure their condition doesn’t worsen.
Ask your vet if there are any supplements and medications that could help.
Of course, medical conditions are different for every dog. The best way to know how to keep your dog comfortable is to talk to your vet. They can offer personalized suggestions for managing a collapsing trachea in dogs.
Best Harness for Dogs with Collapsed Trachea
Almost all harnesses are beneficial for dogs with collapsed tracheas because they prevent pressure around your dog’s neck. Below are some great options for the best harness for a dog with a collapsed trachea.
This harness is a simple design that has one thick strap that goes around the front of your dog and another that goes underneath them. So, there aren’t any parts of the harness that come close to their neck, ensuring that pressure won’t harm their collapsing trachea. This harness comes in five sizes to cater to dogs of all breeds, and the padded section that rests on your dog’s back comes in 20 color patterns.
This harness has a unique X-shaped design in the front. This shape makes it great for protecting your dog’s throat because the harness dips down in the middle so it doesn’t cover your dog’s neck at all. Thus, if your dog pulls while wearing this harness, it won’t choke them or worsen their collapsed trachea. The harness includes breathable mesh fabric that comes in ten colors. It has four sizes that cater to a variety of dog breeds.
No-pull dog harnesses typically have a design that allows dog parents to clip the leash to the front or back of the harness. If they clip it to the front, the dog is forced to face their human if they pull to discourage them from pulling. This also turns your dog around instead of applying pressure to the front of them. Plus, the straps on this harness are thin, so they don’t harm your dog’s throat even if you clip the leash to the back of the harness. This harness offers lots of variety since it comes in over five sizes and ten colors.
This is another harness style that’s soft and doesn’t touch your dog’s neck at all. So, if they pull, there’s not a risk of them choking, making it a great tracheal collapse harness. The straps have a fuzzy interior to add to the harness’s comfort. It comes in five sizes, but it’s best for small dogs, which are the most likely to have a collapsing trachea. It also comes in over seven color patterns so your pup can feel stylish while walking.
Not only does this harness’s straps rest far away from your dog’s throat, but it’s also customizable. You can add your dog’s name on the side or a cute saying like “good boy.” While some examples show a person’s phone number, I don’t recommend doing that since it’s unsafe for strangers to see your number that easily. Having your information on an identification tag is better. The back of this harness has breathable padding that comes in 12 color options. The harness also comes in six sizes.
The Rabbitgoo Dog Harness is one of the most popular dog harnesses on Amazon, and it’s also the best harness for dogs with collapsed trachea in many cases. It’s a sturdy harness that has a padded section on the front and back of the harness, but that padding never interferes with your dog’s throat. It has four adjustable straps to ensure the harness fits comfortably on your dog and doesn’t choke them. It comes in 18 color patterns and five sizes, so there is plenty of variety.
The Good Scout Dog Harness is another great tracheal collapse harness because the front is V-shaped to ensure there’s no pressure on your dog’s throat. It has soft padding for maximum comfort, and it’s adjustable on the sides. It’s an easy-to-use design that protects dogs if they pull. It’s available in two color patterns and three sizes, but it’s ideal for small and medium dogs.
This is the harness that I currently use for my dog, Mabel. It has thin straps, and none of them come close to her throat. So, even if she pulls, it doesn’t make her choke. The harness has labels, such as “belly” and “back” to make it easy to figure out how to put the harness on. It’s a comfortable, high-quality dog harness that comes in seven sizes and seven colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes a Collapsed Trachea in Dogs?
Injury, trauma, and genetics are all potential causes for a collapsed trachea in dogs. So, sometimes there’s an obvious cause, such as your dog hurting their throat. Other times, it might just be because the dog was poorly bred (my foster who had it was rescued from a puppy mill, so his health and genetics probably weren't the best). So, in many cases, dog parents can't prevent this condition.
What Should You Feed a Dog with a Collapsed Trachea?
Dog food with beneficial ingredients like omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and antioxidants can help keep your dog’s trachea healthy. Yet, it’s always best to consult your vet to see if they recommend any specific ingredients for your dog’s diet.
Will a Collapsing Trachea Cause a Dog Not to Eat?
In extreme cases, a collapsing trachea may make it hard for dogs to eat. Dogs may avoid eating and lose weight as a result. If your dog is suddenly not eating, contact your vet right away to see if their collapsed trachea is to blame.
Can a Collapsed Trachea Be Cured?
No, once a dog’s trachea starts collapsing, it can’t be fixed. There are lots of ways to manage the condition, but those methods vary based on the severity. Talk to your vet to see what forms of management they recommend for your dog.
The Best Harness for Dogs with Collapsed Tracheas Could Be Life-Saving
The key to caring for a dog with a collapsed trachea is to ensure their condition doesn’t worsen. Using the best harness for dogs with collapsed trachea can prevent pressure on your dog’s neck as they walk, making it easier for them to breathe. While most harnesses work well for this, all the ones mentioned in this article are especially great at protecting your dog’s neck.
If you’re dealing with a collapsing trachea in dogs, don’t forget to consult your vet. Harnesses and other methods can help prevent it from worsening, but a vet can give you the best personalized advice on how to help. Plus, your vet can use their expertise to determine if the condition is worsening so you can act accordingly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry with your pet’s health, so don’t avoid vet visits.