Hearing your dog suddenly cough or gag makes any pet parent worry. Is he just clearing his throat, or is he sick with a cough? Is he choking and needs your help, or is it just a cough that will disappear? Hearing your dog suddenly cough or gag can worry many pet owners.
We cannot ask our pets if they need help or are in pain, so we have to make an educated guess based on what symptoms our pup is displaying. When canines cough, it may be nothing or it may be alerting you to a more serious problem.
Is it a cough or a gag?
If you are trying to identify if your dog”s coughing or gagging, it is not always easy because they seem similar. If your dog makes a hacking noise and forces air out through the mouth and throat, that is a cough. Gagging is similar to vomiting, but nothing comes out except a small amount of saliva and can result from numerous issues.
Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned and unsure what to do. When you are familiar with the different coughs a day can have, you will be less likely to overreact to a simple gagging cough or ignore something more serious that does require veterinarian assistance.
Why is My Dog Coughing?
Dogs cough for many of the same reasons as people because coughing is how the body protects the respiratory system if foreign materials or debris are in the airways. Coughing helps dogs to breathe well.
All dogs will occasionally cough when they clear their throats. Dogs use their noses to explore and find their way around, so it is easy for debris such as grass, dirt, and dust to get caught in their throat. This can cause irritation and a sore throat which leads to coughing.
If your pup has a cough that isn’t going away, this could signify that something more is going on. Recurring coughs can indicate a virus, bacterial infection, or more serious health condition.
A recurring cough that has no explanation should be followed up with a visit to your veterinarian. If the cough is something more serious, it is best to handle it early.
Conditions that Cause Dogs to Cough
There are many reasons why a canine may be coughing. Often it can be something as simple as eating too fast or irritation from dust or allergens but if the cough is increasing in frequency and duration it could be a sign something more serious could be wrong.
Below are common things that can cause a dog to cough.
Food
There are various reasons some dogs eat quickly, including habits learned at birth, anxiety or resource guarding behaviors, and instinctive behaviors inherited from their wild ancestors, that were often ravenous after a hunt and needed to eat quickly to protect food from other predators.
A dog that eats is chewing improperly and ingesting large amounts of air with his food. This can cause food to get stuck into the lungs, leading to coughing and possible bacteria infection and pneumonia.
To prevent speed eating, allow your pup to eat alone because some dogs may devour their food to guard it for fear that someone else will get to it. You can also limit what food goes into their bowl and use hollow toys that treats can be put in and swap the treat for dog food. As your dog works for his food, his eating will slow down.
If you notice your dog still coughing after meals, this could indicate a more serious problem. Contact your veterinarian so they can diagnose and treat your dog.
Canine influenza virus or dog flu
The dog flu is an illness in dogs that causes cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Canine influenza virus is similar to the flu that humans contract because the severity of the flu can range from mild with no symptoms to severe symptoms that eventually result in canine bronchitis, pneumonia and possibly even death.
All dogs can catch dog flu if they are near another dog with the infection. Canine influenze virus is spread among dog’s through respiratory droplets that a sick dog will produce and expel when they cough or sneeze. Dogs in kennels or places where there are other canines are more susceptible to catching this flu infection. Like the human flu, dogs can spread it through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Dogs coughing or sneezing should be kept away from other pets, so they do not spread the illness. Most dogs will start improving within 1-2 weeks, but contact your veterinarian if there is no improvement.
Foreign objects in the throat
If you notice that your dog has suddenly started to cough, it could be a foreign object stuck in their throat. This is the first place to start anytime your pup has begun to cough.
If your dog has a gagging cough and is retching and appears to be trying to remove something from its throat, it is possible something is caught and needs to be removed.
A small foreign item that is ingested and then stuck in the laryngeal area of a dog’s throat can irritate and inflame, resulting in persistent coughing and gagging. Most of the time, a gagging cough will be a sign of respiratory disease; there are some circumstances where a foreign item partially obstructs the airways.
Contact your veterinarian for further treatment and diagnosis if your pet cannot remove the item through coughing and gagging.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia in a dog is the inflammation of the airway and air sacs in the lungs. They may fill with pus or fluid, resulting in difficulty breathing. Your pet may cough frequently and show signs of exhaustion and little interest in activities they typically love, such as walks or outdoor play.
If your dog has been coughing and exhibits any of the below symptoms, contact your veterinarian for further treatment.
The signs of pneumonia in dogs include:
- Deep cough
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Fever
- Lethargy
Heart disease
One of the most common signs of congestive heart failure is persistent coughing caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs or pulmonary edema. As the canine’s heart enlarges and pushes against the trachea, this can induce coughing.
Congestive heart failure in dogs will cause dogs to tire out more quickly, so they will not engage in walking or playing as they would normally.
Signs of Heart Disease in Dogs
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive panting
- Swollen belly
- Bluish gums
- Weight loss
Tracheal collapse
Tracheal collapse in dogs is a respiratory condition when the tracheal rings keep the trachea open for air to move in and out of the lungs. This causes the canine to have breathing issues as the windpipe collapses. As the windpipe collapses, it will cause a harsh dry cough.
A collapsed trachea is not curable but can be treated with weight loss, anti-inflammatory medication (steroids), and a harness in place of a collar. The loud, honking cough sounds like a goose and may become more pronounced when your dog pulls against its collar.
Hot weather and high humidity can increase the incidence of tracheal collapse in canines. Smaller toy breeds and obese dogs are at a higher risk of developing it.
Although there is no cure, the bouts of coughing caused by tracheal collapse can worsen with exercise, excitement, stress, eating, and drinking. It is crucial to follow your veterinarian’s guidelines and care for your dog’s tracheal collapse.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections in dogs such as kennel cough and pneumonia are infections that spread to the windpipes and airways of the lungs. These infections are highly contagious and usually caused by a virus or bacteria.
Respiratory infections in canines are similar to a chest cold or upper respiratory infection in a person and can be minor and last only a few days or severe and take multiple weeks for the animal to recover fully. A hacking cough is associated with these infections and can often be confused with vomiting. Many pet owners describe the cough as something stuck in their dog’s throat or sounding like a cat coughing up a hairball.
There are occasions when these respiratory infections can become severe enough and long-lasting, so you will need medication for your pet before it advances to pneumonia.
Severe respiratory infections, if left unattended, can become severe. If your dog has had a lingering cough and cannot seem to get rid of it you should contact your veterinarian before it progresses to something else.
Nausea
If your dog has been vomiting or has an irritated stomach, this can result in coughing. When dogs vomit, their throats can become irritated, making your pup cough because dogs will automatically cough. If your dog has something stuck in the stomach, esophagus, or mouth, this will cause them to cough.
Several factors may cause the vomiting, and if your pup persists in coughing and vomiting regularly, you should contact your veterinarian.
Why does my dog only cough at night
When a pet coughs at night, it can wake any pet parent up feeling worried and concerned about your pup. It is important to note that your dog is only coughing during the night; this will help the vet diagnose what is going on.
Dogs will often cough only at night due to allergens. If they sleep in a particular place, they may be allergic to the fabric softener or fabric they are sleeping on. You may also want to note what you are feeding your pet in the evenings. Do you give your dog a special treat in the evening? If so, they could have an allergy to something in the treat.
Kennel cough can also cause more severe coughing during the night. So if you notice occasional coughing during the day with a heavy increase during the night, your dog may have kennel cough.
Your veterinarian may prescribe supplements and antibiotics to treat nighttime coughing from kennel cough. If your pup only coughs at night and does not have kennel cough, some home remedies can help.
- Robitussin
- Removal of your pet’s collar
- Chicken Broth
- Bryonia C6 is a herbal remedy that provides relief and clears up mucus
- Vitamin supplements
- Humidifiers
- Honey is a safe and effective treatment for nighttime coughs
Anytime you give your dog medication, even over the counter like Robitussin, consult your veterinarian; you can call most vets to ask if this is ok for your dog.
Types of dog coughs?
Identifying what type of cough your dog has will help you narrow down the possible reasons for the cough. This can help your veterinarian make a more informed decision if you contact them about your pup coughing.
Answer the following questions:
- Is your dog coughing in his sleep and during the night?
- Is it a dry, hacking cough like your pet has something caught and is trying to get a foreign object out of the throat or mouth?
- Is it a gagging, high-pitched cough that comes in short bursts?
- Is it a wet, phlegmy, or moist cough similar to when a human is congested?
- Is it a deep, honking cough, almost like a goose honk?
Keep in mind to pay attention to how often your dog is coughing. Is it every few minutes or a series of coughs in a row? Is it lasting all day, or does your pup only cough at night?
Make sure to note the frequency and what is causing the cough. Are they coughing once every few minutes? Is your pet only coughing during certain activities, or is it all day?
These coughs represent different problems, so collect as much information as you can to pass on to your veterinarian.
Is your dog coughing and gagging?
When a dog gags, it usually happens before it coughs. They open their mouth wide as they gag and make a retching sound, but only a small amount of mucus may come out of their mouth.
It is important to pay attention to your dog when he gags and make note if your dog coughs and then gags or gags first, then coughs. This is critical information to share with your veterinarian because they can diagnose your pup’s condition more accurately.
What is causing my dog to gag?
When a dog gags, it is usually caused by inflammations of the larynx. Two common issues can cause gagging in dogs: infectious problems and laryngeal paralysis. You may need a veterinarian to diagnose and treat the issue because various reasons can make a dog gag.
When a canine coughs first and then gags, it is usually associated with problems that will cause bronchitis and lower respiratory disease. If the dog is gagging and then coughing, it can generally be associated with a dysfunction of the larynx.
Kennel cough
Kennel cough is associated with a dry, hacking and persistent cough followed by a gagging or retching sound similar to a hairball being coughed up. It may sound like your pup has something caught in its throat, and these coughing and gagging episodes can happen every few minutes or consistently during the day.
The cough and gagging episodes usually start within 5 to 10 days of contracting the infections and last up to 3 weeks. If your pup is not improving, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat kennel cough.
Something trapped in the airway
If your dog started to gag and was previously playing with a toy, chewing a bone, or eating, something could have gotten trapped or stuck in the airway. There is probably nothing to worry about if it is a one-time occurrence. If the coughing persists, you will want to monitor your dog to make sure he is drinking and eating, and going to the bathroom regularly because any issues could be a sign of blockage.
If the gagging after eating or drinking is a rare occurrence, there should be nothing to worry about unless it happens frequently. There could be a blockage or a tumor that could be causing things to get stuck if your dog is gagging more often. Contact your veterinarian if gagging after ingesting food or drink becomes more than a rare occurrence.
Drank to quickly
Canines can often drink too quickly, even when they are well hydrated. When your pup does this, it can cause them to gag or cough, but it should only last a few minutes and happen occasionally. If your pet is drinking too fast regularly, other than after a long walk or exhaustive exercise, water intake may need controlling.
Acid Reflux
Dogs, like many humans, can also suffer from acid reflux. During acid reflux, the stomach contents travel up the food pipe and are inhaled. This mixture of food particles and stomach acids can cause distress that results in a deep cough.
Canines with sensitive stomachs can suffer from regular bouts of acid reflux. Acid reflux is usually cured without a visit to the veterinarian, but if it is consistent and recurring regularly, you should alert your veterinarian of the issue.
Why Does My Older Dog Cough and Gag?
Having an elderly dog in the family is both rewarding and worrisome. Many elderly pet parents worry when they hear coughing or gagging from their furry family members. It is important not to overreact and remember that coughing and gagging can be a symptom of a minor illness or indicate that your older dog has developed a more serious condition that requires veterinary attention.
Older dogs will cough and gag for the same reasons humans do, like dust irritating their throats or drinking and eating too quickly. But these will only happen on rare occasions and not regularly. If your dog has been coughing and gagging for over 48 hours, notify your vet.
An older dog can be affected by many of the same ailments listed above that can cause dogs to cough and gag. In an elderly dog, you will want to pay attention and contact your veterinarian sooner.
Dogs that cough or gag when they get excited
Dogs often sound like they are coughing after they become excited, but the sound you may hear is a reverse sneeze and not cough.
Reverse Sneeze
A reverse sneeze is when a canine suddenly and rapidly inhales air through the nose, which causes the dog to make repeated snorting noises, which may sound like he is coughing and choking.
It is unknown why some dogs reverse sneeze when they are excited, and it can go on for several minutes while your pet is eager. You can stop the reverse sneeze spasm by gently rubbing and massaging your dog’s throat or closing its nostrils for a few seconds until your dog swallows.
There are situations when a reverse sneeze is caused by foreign particles in the nasal passage like grass or dust or allergies from perfumes or smoke. If it appears to be from an allergen, consult your veterinarian.
What can I give my dog for coughing and gagging
If your dog has an occasional cough, you can use various at-home treatments to help make your dog comfortable. Kennel cough is a viral condition that produces a dry and hacking cough that usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks. It is common and not considered life-threatening, so you can first start with treating your pet at home.
Anytime a cough or gagging has symptoms that worsen and do not improve, you should consult your veterinarian.
If your dog has mild kennel cough, you can make your pet more comfortable by focusing on hydration, rest, and nutrition.
- Chicken broth can help keep them hydrated and is full of nutrients.
- Coldwater close by can ease their throat.
- Add honey to warm water to soothe the throat and minimize coughing; add one tablespoon to a small water bowl.
- Place a humidifier near your pet. It will moisten the air that your dog breathes, which can help with respiratory tract irritation.
- Hot steam therapy can be done if you take a hot shower or run hot water in the shower and let your dog lay on the floor with the door closed. This can help decrease irritation and help suppress coughing.
- Make sure your pup is getting rest.
For mild cases of kennel cough, your family vet may prescribe a cough suppressant to reduce coughing and suggest rest and hydration. It should only take 1 to 2 weeks for your pup to recover, and most recover independently with no treatment from a vet required.
Diagnosing and Treating Coughing and Gagging
If your dog’s cough has not subsided and is increasing in severity and frequency, it is essential to contact your veterinarian. Once you have the appointment set, it is important to note any other symptoms and issues your dog has.
Make sure to note his food and water intake and activity level, frequency of coughing, and what type of cough. Your vet will perform various tests and ask a series of questions to aid in treating and diagnosing your sick pup.
- Your vet will review your pet’s medical history
- Verify shots and heartworm are up to date
- When did you first notice the symptoms?
- What kind of cough did it start as, and has it remained the same or progressed?
- Besides coughing or gagging, are there any other symptoms, such as vomiting, decreased appetite, and activity level?
- Has your dog been in a kennel, daycare, or around any other sick dogs?
Once your veterinarian has examined your dog, and you have discussed your pet’s illness and symptoms, various tests may need to be performed to diagnose and treat your pup.
The tests may include:
- Blood work
- Fecal exam so your vet may ask you to collect a stool sample before the appointment so they can test it
- X-rays
- Fluid samples can be taken from airways for examination and testing
- General physical, blood pressure, and visual exam
After performing these tests, your vet may prescribe antibiotics and cough suppressants to treat your dog’s cough and symptoms.
How to prevent your dog from coughing and gagging
It may be impossible to prevent your dog from ever getting sick and having a cough or gagging, but you can take measures to decrease your pet’s risk of illnesses. Keeping your dog current on vaccinations and heartworm prevention and away from other pets that are not fully vaccinated will reduce the chances your dog can contract illnesses like kennel cough.
Regular checkups with your veterinarian allow your vet to examine your animal and address any questions you may have. Early prevention and diagnosis of illnesses like infections and allergies will improve your dog’s health and prevent issues from being overlooked.
Conclusion
Anytime our furry family members are sick, we worry because they cannot tell us what they are feeling. Hearing our dogs cough and gag can be a scary experience and leave any pet owner with a knot in their stomach. Remember that dogs experience many illnesses similar to what humans do, and coughing can be a simple matter of drinking or eating too fast.
If your pup has been coughing or gagging for an extended period, it is important to note what kind of cough and how often they are coughing or gagging. This information will help your veterinarian to diagnose and treat your pet.
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*photo by Photoboyko – depositphotos