Why Is My Dog Coughing and Gagging?
Dogs might cough and gag because their throat is irritated and needs to be cleared, like in humans. While it can be harmless, when it becomes consistent, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a collapsing trachea, heart failure, or kennel cough.
It’s never a nice sound. Especially not if it wakes you up in the middle of the night. It might be that awful dry retching, or the strange honking that comes right from the bottom of their throat over and over again. Most of the time, the coughs are followed by a gag, and it’s enough to make any pet parent worry.
There are so many reasons why your dog might be coughing and gagging. They may need to clear their throat, or they may be irritated by an allergen. Sprays and strong aromas are sometimes enough to get them going. However, it can also be a sign of something much more serious. This is why consistent coughing and gagging should be checked by a vet.
I’m here to help you learn more about why your dog might be coughing and gagging. I aim to ease your mind and help encourage you to seek veterinary advice when needed.
Key Takeaways
- Coughing can be a sign of excitement in smaller breeds
- Many allergies have coughing as one of their symptoms
- Coughing and gagging in dogs can be a sign of heart failure
- A collapsing trachea is often defined by a very serious cough
The Difference Between Coughing And Gagging In Dogs
Gagging is the sound that a dog makes either before or after they cough. A lot of the time, it sounds like they are about to throw up while in the middle of coughing. It sounds different from the retching sound that dogs make before they throw up. It tends to be a much drier sound compared to the wetness you get with vomit.
Coughing doesn’t usually bring anything up. Sometimes, it will bring up saliva or mucus, but this is usually swallowed again fairly quickly. There might also be some spray, which is the same as when they gag. Coughing is quite a harsh sound that isn’t too dissimilar to when humans cough. In some cases, it can sound like honking (especially with kennel cough).
Common Causes of Dog Coughing & Gagging
Dogs usually cough and gag at the same time when there is an irritation in their throat or airway. It could be something as simple as a tickly throat or seasonal allergies, but it can also be a sign of kennel cough and other serious health conditions. Some of the most common causes of dog coughing and gagging are:
- Kennel cough: This is a common cause of coughing and gagging, and it’s a dry honking sound that can be quite jarring to hear. It’s most dangerous in puppies and older dogs, and it is quite easy to treat once diagnosed. It is highly contagious and most commonly caught in kennels and dog boarding establishments.
- Allergies: Dogs can have allergies too, and like in humans, it can cause them to cough and their throats to become irritated. Sometimes these allergies are seasonal, and other times it’s something environmental, like an air freshener or spray that makes them cough and gag.
- Bloat: This is more likely to be retching instead of gagging, but they can sound similar, and bloat is one of the most dangerous conditions in dogs. If they keep trying to vomit repeatedly but nothing is coming up, it could mean they have bloat and they need to see a vet immediately.
- Throat irritation: Just like in humans, there are times the throat becomes irritated and leads to coughing and gagging. This could be caused by dust, dry air, or other environmental factors.
- Obstruction: Dogs are curious and sometimes swallow things they shouldn’t. Coughing and gagging can be signs that there is an obstruction in the throat. This can also cause blue lips and gums as they lose oxygen flow throughout their body, and can be very serious.
- Laryngeal paralysis: In older dogs, the nerves controlling the larynx can weaken and collapse. This can cause coughing and gagging as their throat becomes irritated.
- Fungal infection: These are rare but serious, and they often occur when a dog breathes in infected soil or dust. They root themselves in the lungs, which causes the coughing, and they can spread to other organs. Treatment usually takes months, and additional support is usually needed while they are recovering.
- Collapsing trachea: In some dogs, the cartilage rings that hold the trachea up can weaken and collapse, causing coughing and gagging as it becomes difficult for them to breathe. This can actually be caused by dogs pulling on the lead while wearing a collar (this actually happened to my childhood Labrador, who was saved by Noel Fitzpatrick, the Supervet).
- Heart disease: Some heart conditions can cause coughing and gagging in dogs. It is a very common symptom of stage 3 heart failure, and there are several other heart conditions that have coughing as a symptom. Most are easily managed with the help of your vet.
- Lungworm: This parasite is carried by snails, slugs, and frogs. If your dogs eat them, or even if they touch their bowls, they are at risk of contracting it. Lungworm is fatal when it isn’t treated, which is why it’s important to see a vet for consistent coughs.
- Heartworm: This parasite is spread by mosquitoes and cannot be passed between dogs. It spreads to the heart and lungs, which can cause coughing. Prevention is key for this, and veterinary treatment is essential as soon as possible to give them the best chance.
- Distemper: A cough is the first sign of this viral illness, and it affects the lungs, nervous system, and gut. It’s a very serious condition that can be fatal when it’s not treated, and one of the first symptoms of it is coughing and gagging.
- Megaesophagus: There are some dogs and puppies whose esophageal sphincter doesn’t function correctly and allows food and liquid to travel to the stomach. It then becomes distended, which causes the food and liquid to be regurgitated very suddenly. Trapped food at the back of the throat can also cause gagging.
- Inflamed larynx: Most commonly seen in brachycephalic breeds, this condition can cause irritation in the throat and noisy breathing alongside regular coughing and gagging.
- Pneumonia: When an infection causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed, it can make it hard for the dog to breathe. This causes coughing and gagging, and pneumonia can be a very serious infection that can be fatal if left untreated.
- Lung cancer: This is a rare form of cancer in dogs, and it causes tumors to grow in their lungs that make it difficult for them to breathe. It can happen at any age, but it’s more common in older dogs and can spread to other parts of the body.
Warning Signs That Require A Vet Visit
You don’t need to be concerned the first time you hear your dog coughing and gagging. Just like humans, they have bouts of it, and they will get over it just fine. If your dog seems to be their usual bright and alert self, monitor the situation for the next 48 hours. However, the following symptoms should be an immediate cause for concern:
- Coughing at night
- Distress and anxiety or panting
- Excessive drooling
- Trouble breathing
- Loud breathing
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Blue lips and gums
- Weightloss
- Cough lasting more than 5–7 days
If your dog sounds like they are honking when they cough, this is usually a concerning sign. Similarly, if they are lethargic, struggling to breathe, or are off their food, these symptoms are usually enough to warrant a vet visit. Always call your vet if you’re concerned. You’re never wasting their time, and it could save your dog’s life.
When Home Remedies Are (And Aren’t) Enough
For very mild cases of coughing, it might be enough for you to keep them rested at home. In cases like this, plenty of rest and hydration go a long way in helping your dog recover. Dry air can cause the throat to become dry and irritated, which can make coughing and gagging worse in dogs. This is where a humidifier can come into play and help ease their symptoms.
If you live in a home with dry air, a humidifier can bring some moisture into it and make the conditions easier on your dog’s throat. This will help their breathing and ease their symptoms. A balanced level of humidity will prevent dry scratchy throats and help your dog feel more comfortable. But home remedies aren’t always enough to treat coughing and gagging.
When To Visit The Vet
If the cough persists for more than 5-7 days or you notice that it has become worse, there is blood, or your dog has become lethargic, you need to get them to a vet. Sometimes, home remedies are enough if it’s something simple, like an allergy or a cold. But there are times your vet needs to intervene to make sure it doesn’t become more serious.
Breed-Specific Respiratory Issues
Small breeds of dogs and toy breeds tend to have narrower airways. This means they are more prone to coughing. While Pugs and French Bulldogs are most commonly recognised for being brachycephalic breeds (which means they struggle to breathe), Chihuahuas and Yorkies are also classic examples of small dogs with narrow airways.
Brachycephalic dogs include Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston terriers. Shih Tzu’s and Pekingese dogs are also known for their respiratory issues. This is because their faces are flatter than most. Their shortened airways mean that they are more prone to things like tracheal collapse and eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (an inflammatory lung disease).
These conditions can be made worse by things like your dog being overweight or underlying health problems that make it difficult for them to breathe. Hot weather can also be a struggle for these dogs because of their narrow airways, which means they aren’t able to regulate their temperature through panting as well as other breeds.
How to Prepare for The Vet Appointment
Your vet is going to want to give your dog a full physical exam before they can even make a tentative diagnosis. However, even if your vet is fairly certain what the cause of your dog’s cough is, they are likely to want to take blood and run full diagnostics. This is to ensure that nothing is missed and your dog gets the best possible treatment.
Your vet will ask you for a list of symptoms and how long your dog has been experiencing them. If possible, bringing videos of the coughing and gagging can be helpful in making an assessment. Especially if they don’t cough during the appointment. It’s happened to us all! This also means they can get a grasp of how much the cough might have evolved over time.
After a diagnosis has been made, your vet will prescribe a treatment and recovery plan. In serious cases, your dog might have to be kept at the surgery until they have recovered. In others, they should be fine on a course of medication. If it turns out to be laryngeal paralysis, it’s possible that sedation will be required to get things working properly again.
FAQs
How Do I Know If My Dog’s Cough Is Serious?
If the coughing becomes constant or your dog has trouble breathing, it is important to take them to the vet immediately. If your dog coughs up blood, has blue gums, becomes weak, or collapses, this is a sign of a very serious condition. In cases such as this, it is important you get to a vet right away, even if you don’t have an appointment. Just make sure you call ahead.
What Stage Of Heart Failure Causes Coughing In Dogs?
Coughing is a sign of stage three heart failure. This is when symptoms become more obvious, and you may notice things like lethargy and weakness even after getting up. Coughing and wheezing are very common during this stage and are classic signs of difficulty breathing or catching their breath.
Is DHPP The Same As Bordetella?
Kennel cough is not usually fatal in healthy adult dogs. However, for older dogs, puppies, and adults with underlying health conditions, it can be very serious. It also has the potential to develop into pneumonia, which is an even more serious health condition. This is why the kennel cough vaccination is so important.
Final Thoughts
While you don’t need to panic the second you hear your dog cough or gag, it is important to keep an eye on it. Every dog is going to cough sometimes, and gagging is part of life, but if it becomes consistent or gets progressively worse, you need to see your vet. The same goes for any severe symptoms, such as coughing up blood or blue gums.
Always remember that if you ever feel even a little concerned about your dog, you can always call up your vet and ask for advice. They will always be happy to help, and it’s better to be safe rather than sorry.
