Why Does My Dog Keep Gagging And Coughing: Causes and When To Worry

If your dog is frequently making a gagging or choking sound, it often means there is an irritation in their throat or airway, or they might be experiencing a mild episode of regurgitation. When a dog is coughing, it is usually the body’s way of clearing the throat or lungs of mucus or foreign material.

Seeing your beloved pet struggle to breathe or make strange noises can be very scary for any pet owner. A sudden fit of dog gagging and coughing can range from a minor annoyance to a sign of a serious health issue. This detailed guide will explore the many causes of dog coughing and what you should look out for. We will help you figure out if it’s time to call the vet or if you can manage the issue at home.

Deciphering the Sounds: Gagging vs. Coughing

It is important to know the difference between a cough and a gag. While they can sound similar, they point to different problems.

The Cough

A cough is usually a forceful burst of air from the lungs. It aims to clear the lower or upper airway. Think of it like clearing your throat loudly. Dog respiratory infection often leads to a distinct cough.

The Gag

Gagging often sounds like your dog is trying to vomit or is about to bring something up. It involves the throat and often happens near the back of the mouth. If you hear why is my dog making a choking sound, it leans more toward gagging or obstruction.

Common Reasons for Dog Gagging and Coughing

Many things can make your dog make these noises. Some causes are simple, while others need quick vet care.

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs (Paroxysmal Respiration)

Many owners mistake this for a severe choking spell. Reverse sneezing in dogs is very common, especially in smaller breeds.

What it is: It sounds like the dog is taking quick, repeated, loud breaths inward through the nose. It sounds like they are trying to suck air in very fast.
Why it happens: It is often caused by an irritation in the throat or nasal passages. This can be from excitement, sniffing something irritating, or eating too fast.
How long it lasts: These spells usually last only a few seconds to a minute. They stop on their own.
What to do: Stay calm. Gently stroke your dog’s throat or briefly cover their nostrils. This often prompts them to swallow and stops the episode.

Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis)

This is one of the most common causes of dog coughing. It is highly contagious.

What it is: Kennel cough symptoms in dogs often start with a dry, harsh, hacking cough. It sounds like a goose honk. It can sometimes lead to the dog gagging afterward.
Causes: It is often caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica or viruses. Dogs catch it in social settings like boarding kennels or dog parks.
When it’s worse: The cough gets worse with exercise or when the dog pulls on its collar.
Treatment: Mild cases often clear up on their own in a few weeks. Severe or lingering cases need vet care, sometimes antibiotics or cough suppressants.

Foreign Body Obstruction

If your dog suddenly starts dog hacking and gagging, think about what they were just doing.

The danger: If a dog swallows a small toy piece, a bone fragment, or a piece of food that gets stuck in the throat, it can cause severe gagging and distress.
Signs: Pawing at the mouth, drooling a lot, choking noises, and difficulty breathing are major signs.
Action: If you suspect an obstruction, this is an emergency. Do not try to pull things out of the mouth unless you can clearly see the object and it is easily reachable. Seek emergency vet help right away.

Heart Disease

Heart issues can cause fluid buildup in the lungs, leading to coughing.

How it causes coughing: When the heart muscle weakens, blood can back up. This causes fluid to leak into the lung tissue (pulmonary edema). This fluid irritates the airways.
The sound: This cough is often moist or wet-sounding. You might notice dog wheezing and coughing, especially when resting or sleeping.
Other signs: Lethargy, rapid breathing, and exercise intolerance often go with heart-related coughing.

Tracheal Collapse

This condition is common in small, older dogs like Yorkshire Terriers or Poodles.

What it is: The cartilage rings that keep the windpipe (trachea) open become weak. They flatten down when the dog breathes or pulls on a leash.
The noise: This causes a classic, honking cough that sounds very similar to kennel cough. It often happens when the dog gets excited or pulls on the leash.
Management: Vets often manage this with weight control, avoiding neck collars (using a harness instead), and sometimes medication.

Allergies and Irritants

The environment plays a big role in airway health.

Common irritants: Dust, smoke from cigarettes or fireplaces, strong perfumes, cleaning chemicals, or pollen can irritate the throat and lungs.
The reaction: This irritation often causes a dry, hacking cough or mild gagging as the dog tries to clear the irritant.

Esophageal Issues (Throat/Food Pipe Problems)

Problems here usually cause gagging more than deep coughing.

Regurgitation: This is often confused with vomiting. If your dog is dog gagging after drinking water or immediately after eating, they might be regurgitating. Food comes up easily, often looking like undigested food in a tube shape. This happens because the food never makes it to the stomach.
Megaesophagus: This is a serious condition where the esophagus is enlarged and weak. Food sits there, irritating the throat and leading to frequent regurgitation and sometimes coughing due to aspiration (food going down the wrong pipe).

Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)

This is a viral infection similar to the human flu.

Symptoms: Symptoms are similar to severe kennel cough: fever, lethargy, runny nose, and a persistent cough.
Severity: While often mild, it can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia, making the cough much worse and wetter.

When Coughing Becomes Serious: Red Flags

While some dog gagging and coughing episodes resolve quickly, others signal an emergency. Knowing when to seek immediate help is vital for your dog’s safety.

Table 1: Emergency Versus Non-Emergency Signs

Sign/Symptom	Possible Severity	Action Needed
Sudden, violent choking, pawing at mouth	High (Obstruction)	Immediate Vet Visit
Coughing accompanied by blue or pale gums	Critical (Lack of Oxygen)	Emergency Vet Now
Productive cough where dog coughing up foam	Moderate to High (Fluid in Lungs)	See Vet within 24 hours
Persistent, loud dog wheezing and coughing	Moderate to High (Severe Airway Issue)	See Vet Soon
Cough that lasts longer than 7 days without change	Moderate (Chronic Issue)	Schedule Routine Vet Check
Mild, infrequent honking cough (known reverse sneeze)	Low	Monitor at Home

Respiratory Distress and Gum Color

If your dog cannot get enough air, their gums might change color.

Normal gums: Pink and moist.
Warning signs: If the gums turn white, pale blue, or dark purple, this means they are not getting enough oxygen. This requires immediate emergency care.

Productive Coughs and Foam

If your dog is coughing up material, pay close attention to what it looks like.

When you see dog coughing up foam, it often means there is fluid in the lower airways or lungs. This is often seen with congestive heart failure or pneumonia. The foam is usually white or clear.

Investigating the Causes of Dog Coughing

When you visit the vet for persistent dog gagging and coughing, they will perform tests to pinpoint the exact cause. Diagnosis usually involves a thorough physical exam and sometimes specialized testing.

Physical Examination Focus Areas

The veterinarian will listen carefully to your dog’s heart and lungs using a stethoscope.

Lung Sounds: They listen for crackles (suggesting fluid), wheezes (suggesting narrowed airways, like asthma or early heart failure), or harsh sounds (suggesting inflammation).
Trachea Tapping: They may gently press on the windpipe. If this elicits a harsh cough, it strongly points toward irritation of the trachea, such as with kennel cough or tracheal collapse.
Oral/Throat Check: They will look for foreign objects stuck in the back of the throat or signs of severe inflammation.

Diagnostic Tools Used by Vets

Depending on the initial findings, further tests may be needed to clarify the causes of dog coughing.

Chest X-rays (Radiographs)

X-rays are essential for looking deep inside the chest. They help vets see:

The size and shape of the heart (to check for heart enlargement).
If there is fluid in the lungs (pneumonia or edema).
If there are masses or tumors in the chest cavity.
The appearance of the trachea (to check for collapse).

Blood Work

Routine blood tests can check for systemic infection, inflammation markers, and organ function. This is key if a dog respiratory infection is suspected.

Heartworm Test

Heartworm disease causes inflammation and damage to the heart and lungs. Persistent coughing is a major symptom, especially in the early stages.

Bronchoscopy and Fluid Analysis

For deep, hard-to-diagnose coughs, the vet might recommend a bronchoscopy. This involves inserting a small camera into the airways to look directly at the lining of the lungs and take samples of any collected fluid or mucus for analysis.

Treatments Based on Diagnosis

Treatment is entirely dependent on what is making your dog gag or cough. A mild irritation requires a different approach than severe heart disease.

Treating Infections

If the cause is bacterial, such as secondary infections following kennel cough:

Antibiotics: Vets prescribe appropriate antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
Cough Suppressants: Medications like butorphanol or dextromethorphan might be used short-term to give the dog (and owner) relief, especially at night.

Managing Chronic Conditions

For long-term issues like tracheal collapse or heart disease:

Tracheal Collapse: Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and strain. This includes switching to a harness instead of a collar, weight management, and sometimes medications like corticosteroids or bronchodilators to open airways.
Heart Disease: Treatment involves diuretics to remove excess fluid, ACE inhibitors, and other heart medications to improve heart function. Controlling fluid buildup is key to stopping the dog wheezing and coughing.

Addressing Obstruction and Aspiration

If your dog is dog gagging after drinking water due to regurgitation (like megaesophagus), the treatment is more involved:

Dietary Changes: Feeding smaller, more frequent meals, or using elevated bowls might help.
Medication: Pro-motility drugs can help the esophagus move food correctly.
Aspiration Pneumonia: If food or water enters the lungs (aspiration), this causes a serious infection called pneumonia. This requires aggressive treatment with oxygen therapy and strong antibiotics.

Controlling Environmental Triggers

If allergies or irritants are the root cause:

Air Quality: Use HEPA filters in the home. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, dust sprays, and second-hand smoke entirely.
Medication: In some cases, vets may prescribe antihistamines or steroids for environmental allergies that irritate the upper airways, reducing the urge to cough.

Home Care Tips for Mild Coughing and Gagging

If your vet has confirmed the issue is minor (like a simple throat irritation or a known reverse sneeze), here are ways to help your dog feel more comfortable at home.

Adjusting Feeding and Drinking Habits

If you notice dog gagging after drinking water, try these small adjustments:

Slow Down Meals: Use slow-feeder bowls or puzzle toys to make your dog eat and drink more slowly. This prevents them from gulping air or water too fast.
Warm Water: Sometimes, ice-cold water irritates a sensitive throat. Try slightly lukewarm water instead.
Monitor Consumption: Watch how quickly they drink. If they gulp down a whole bowl in seconds, separate the drinking into smaller portions.

Controlling Excitement

Excitement often triggers reverse sneezes or coughing fits, especially in small breeds.

When your dog gets very excited (e.g., you come home or grab the leash), try to keep their activity level calm for the first minute. Distract them gently until the initial surge of excitement passes.

Humidity and Air Quality

Dry air can dry out the nasal passages and throat, leading to irritation.

Humidifier Use: Running a cool-mist humidifier, especially in dry winter months or if you live in a dry climate, can help keep the airways moist.
Steam Therapy: If a coughing fit starts, taking your dog into a steamy bathroom (run a hot shower with the door closed) for 10–15 minutes can often soothe irritated airways.

Collar Management

If tracheal collapse is a concern, absolutely switch to a harness. A harness distributes pressure across the chest instead of putting direct pressure on the delicate throat area.

Preventing Future Episodes

Prevention is always better than treatment when dealing with common issues like kennel cough or environmental irritation.

Vaccination and Socialization

Vaccination is the best defense against the most common infectious causes.

Bordetella Vaccine: If your dog visits groomers, dog parks, or daycare, make sure their Bordetella vaccine (for kennel cough) is up to date. This vaccine is often required by boarding facilities.
General Wellness: Keep up with all core vaccinations and annual wellness exams. Early detection of heart disease or dental issues can prevent secondary respiratory problems.

Maintaining a Clean Environment

Reduce exposure to things that trigger irritation.

Regularly wash bedding in hot water to control dust mites.
Avoid using strong aerosol sprays, air fresheners, or burning scented candles near your pet.

Dental Health

Poor dental health can lead to severe oral infections. Bacteria from infected teeth or gums can sometimes travel to the lungs, causing aspiration or secondary pneumonia, which results in chronic coughing. Regular teeth brushing and dental cleanings are crucial preventive steps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long can kennel cough last in dogs?

A: Mild cases of kennel cough usually last between 7 to 14 days, though the cough can sometimes linger for up to three weeks, especially if the dog is very active.

Q: Is it normal for my dog to cough right after eating or drinking?

A: It can be, but it needs checking. If the food or water immediately comes back up, it is regurgitation, often pointing to esophageal issues like megaesophagus. If they cough deeply after swallowing, it might mean they inhaled some food or water into the windpipe (aspiration). See your vet if this happens often.

Q: My dog is coughing up white foam. Should I panic?

A: While you should not panic, this symptom needs prompt veterinary attention. Dog coughing up foam usually indicates fluid in the lungs, which can be due to severe infection (pneumonia) or fluid backup from heart failure. Call your vet for an appointment the same day.

Q: Can dogs get asthma, and does it cause coughing?

A: Yes, dogs can develop chronic airway inflammation similar to asthma. This usually causes dog wheezing and coughing, often accompanied by periods where the dog seems to be struggling to take a deep breath. Vets diagnose this after ruling out other causes, often using inhaler trials or response to bronchodilators.

Q: Why does my dog make a choking sound when excited?

A: If the “choking sound” is brief, fast, and sounds like they are sucking air in rapidly, it is almost certainly a reverse sneeze. This is usually harmless, though startling. If they are truly choking and cannot breathe, that is an emergency.

Q: If my dog has a persistent wet cough, is it always pneumonia?

A: Not always, but a wet or “productive” cough strongly suggests fluid in the lower airways or lungs. While this could be pneumonia (a serious infection), it is also a classic sign of congestive heart failure if the dog is older. Only your vet can determine the exact cause using X-rays.