Dog Keeps Gagging – Signs, Causes, Treatments & FAQ

Witnessing your dog gagging can be quite worrying, especially when it happens unexpectedly and you’re unsure of the cause. Gagging can also become a regular occurrence in dogs due to certain health issues. In this article, we will define and differentiate gagging from coughing or vomiting and explore their causes. Once you’ve identified the underlying cause, you can seek the appropriate treatment to help your dog feel better.

If you notice that your dog keeps gagging, don’t panic. There are things you can do to assist them. However, it’s important not to rush in and potentially cause more anxiety or harm them by intervening improperly. Each cause of gagging has its own unique problems and requires specific care. Providing the wrong aid can sometimes have serious consequences. So, let’s delve into the details of the causes and treatments to ensure your dog’s well-being.

Signs

It’s not uncommon for owners to confuse gagging, vomiting, and coughing, especially in stressful situations. Acting on instinct to help your dog can sometimes worsen the situation. In this section, we will outline the main signs of gagging and the differences between these three behaviors, allowing you to confidently identify when your dog is gagging and seek appropriate treatment. Let’s explore these behaviors and learn how to differentiate them from each other.

Gagging

Gagging is a reflex in many different species, humans included. It is important to note that it is a normal reflex. Like we may gag when brushing our teeth sometimes, something could irritate your dog’s uvula and lead to them gagging. Of course, there can be worries with this behavior that we explore soon. To define gagging we can describe it as tensing of the stomach muscles and stretching of the tongue in an attempt to dislodge something or expel something from the stomach, throat, or back of the mouth. Gagging in itself is not vomiting, although it can lead to vomiting. The noise produced by dogs will sound similar to coughing as well. But you can notice that the movement and behavior are more drawn out and less sharp than a cough.

Vomiting

Vomiting can follow coughing or be a stand-alone behavior. It is when a dog expels the contents of the from their mouth. The difference between gagging and vomiting is whether the stomach contents are expelled or not. Gagging can prelude vomiting or continue afterward, but gagging does not always mean vomiting. Similarly, vomiting can happen immediately with no gagging accompanying it. Vomiting often indicates an upset stomach from illness or digestion of something inappropriate. Once the illness passes or the unwanted contents are expelled, the dog will often feel better.

Coughing

Dog coughing can range in pitch depending on the normal sound of your dog’s voice and bark. Those with deeper voices will have deeper coughs. Regardless of the pitch though, coughing is usually a straight sharp noise that a dog uses to expel something from the lungs or throat. If your dog is ill then the cough will continue until they are well again. Their cough may become more raspy and chesty depending on how severely ill they are or what is affecting them. Coughs are usually heard in succession or repeatedly in a small period of time. The noises are sharper than gagging and focus more on fast, hard noises and movements as opposed to more drawn-out tensing as seen with gagging.

Causes

Gagging is a normal reflex that every dog will display at some point. However, there are times when it becomes a concern. If it becomes frequent generally, or is repeating in a short period of time, this is a worry. More often than not this will require a vet visit. If you can record a video of the gagging to show your vet it may help them to diagnose what is causing the gagging. We will now go through the possible causes for why your dog keeps gagging.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough, also known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIDR), is a bacteria that can affect your dog. This disease’s main symptom is a heavy and repetitive cough that usually takes place before your dog gags repeatedly. This respiratory infection is very contagious to other dogs so your pup will require proper isolation until they are fully treated. Make sure to call your vet to tell them your concerns as it is not wise to bring your dog in with such a contagious disease. If your dog is coughing alongside gagging then this may be the cause, a vet can confirm this for you. Mild cases of kennel cough are usually just coughing, gagging, and possibly conjunctivitis. Whereas more severe cases can branch to vomiting, abdominal pain, and a fever.

Sinusitis and Rhinitis

Sinusitis and rhinitis often go hand in hand are can commonly be found to be affecting an individual at the same time. Rhinitis is the inflammation of the inner nose and sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. This can lead to irritation, pain, itchiness, and a build-up of mucus which causes headaches. The itchiness, inflammation, and mucus are what can lead to gagging. The itchiness of the inflammation and swelling can be quite uncomfortable and lead to your body trying to remove what is bothering it. Coughing, sneezing, and gagging may be the result. Furthermore, with them producing excess mucus, this can block the sinuses and run down the back of them into the throat. Another reason why your dog may gag.

Intestinal Parasite Infestation

When your dog is severely affected by an internal parasite, this can lead to gagging as well. It is why it is important to monitor how often your dog is gagging as it is something you may overlook or not be able to tell. One parasite this is particularly common to induce gagging is the roundworm. Your dog will ingest the worms and then they hatch in the stomach. They will then make their way to the lungs and into the air sacs. This action is what leads to coughing and gagging in your dog. As they will make their home there and multiply, the gagging will continue until they are treated.

Heart Disease

It is a relatively unknown symptom of heart disease but your dog can begin to gag if they are affected by this disease. It is also especially common in elderly dogs. The heart will overcompensate for failures of its own system and therefore work a lot harder to try to be effective. With both an ineffective heart and higher pressure with the circulatory system this can lead to fluid leaking from the capillaries. This means that the many capillaries within the lungs will begin to leak fluid. This is what causes gagging and sometimes coughing and vomiting. Be aware that heart disease could be a possibility, especially if your dog’s energy levels are low.

Tracheal Collapse

The trachea is supported by rings of cartilage, if these become less rigid then the trachea begins to collapse in on itself. This can happen slightly or majorly. With a struggle to get air inside them when breathing, they will cough and gag to try to aid themself. This can be more prominent in smaller dog breeds as well as certain breeds. Although it can occur to any dog, it is most common in adult dogs to elderly dogs so ages four and up. Other symptoms include a lack of energy, a honk-like cough, wheezing, and excess sleeping.

Treatment

There are some treatments that you can try at home for milder cases of these problems. However, if you’re unsure or if the symptoms are severe, we always recommend visiting a vet. Each cause requires specific treatment, so let’s go through them now.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough should clear up by itself after some time. However, in weaker patients or those that have a severe case a vet can prescribe anti-inflammatories, pain killers, and antibiotics to help. This will reduce the swelling, help healing, and reduce the pain your dog is feeling. Therefore, the gagging should go away by itself as the kennel cough clears up.

Sinusitis and Rhinitis

In milder cases your dog will just need a round of antibiotics. However, in more severe cases your dog may be admitted to be given IV fluids and to be monitored by the vet. This is more common with dogs that are displaying high fevers. So with these two conditions a vet visit is always the right call.

Intestinal Parasite Infestation

Regular worming each month is required to treat and prevent your dog from being affected by worms. Each de-wormer is different so be sure to read the instructions about the amount for your dog and how often to give it. If you are worried about the quality you should ask your vet for recommendations.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is a broad term for a number of problems with your dog’s heart. Depending on which problem it is, the treatment will differ. Some require regular medications whereas others require surgery. Some milder cases can be managed with less exercise. It all depends so ask your vet.

Tracheal Collapse

A collapsed trachea can be treated both medically and surgically, it all depends on the severity. The drugs used to treat this condition include:

• Antibiotics
• Corticosteroids
• Cough suppressants
• Bronchodilators

Severe cases will require surgery from a specialist surgeon due to the delicate nature of this.

Dog Keeps Gagging – FAQs

We have further answers concerning dogs gagging and their health below.

Remember that gagging is a normal behavior and you should not try to intervene when your dog is doing so. Not unless they are choking and struggling to get air into their lungs. If the choking is a repeated behavior then it is always worth consulting a professional for their opinion.