If your dog gets a cough, you might be tempted to dismiss it. After all, when we humans get a cough, it doesn’t always mean much. We have a lot of built-in mechanisms to clear our sinuses and throat from dust, hair, bacteria and so on just by coughing.

It’s not like that for dogs, though. If you find your dog coughing and it’s more than the odd hairball, you’ll want to pay close attention. How long has he been coughing? If it’s more than a day, take his problem seriously and contact a vet. Still, for those short-term coughs, there are things you can try to soothe your poor dog’s throat.

1. Keep your dog sheltered. Now that he’s coughing, it’s a good idea to keep him well clear from any typical irritants such as fumes, dust, or pollen. And if it’s cold outside, this would be a poor time to start on a five-mile run. Also, we humans use a lot of products on a regular basis that are actually very irritating to compromised sinuses, such as carpet powders and cleaning products. Simply getting out the vacuum and kicking up all that dust and hair can lead to coughs in both people and animals. Also, if it’s summer, give your dog a break from the pollen by keeping him inside during the early morning and late afternoon.

2. Make your house more humid. If the air’s too dry, your dog can develop excess mucous in his throat and air passages which lead to an uncomfortable cough. You can make his life a little easier by turning on the humidifier.

3. Stub out that cigarette! We all know that second-hand smoke is a serious problem for anyone, animal or human, unfortunate enough to breath it. In fact, that scary cigarette byproduct can be even worse for your dog than it is for the humans. There are actually several cases on record where the family dog developed emphysema after being exposed to years of cigarette smoke.

4. Consider a cough suppressant. Vets will typically recommend one containing an ingredient known as dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Syrup. But for safety and ease of mind, always ask your vet before trying “human” medications on your dog, as their livers can’t process everything ours can.