Dog Coughing and Gagging: Causes, What to Watch For, and How to Help

It is always shocking to hear your dog choke or cough. Such a sudden, hacking sound can alarm any pet owner, who is brainstorming worst-case scenarios in their minds. The good news: not all psychotic episodes of dog coughing and gagging are long-lasting.

The difficulty lies in the fact that the same sound can imply quite the opposite things; it can be a simple tickle in the throat, or something that has to be taken to the vet emergency.

This guide breaks down the common causes of coughing and gagging in dogs, what the sounds usually mean, how vets diagnose the problem, practical home care, and when to call for help.

We’ll also touch on kennel cough, how it’s treated, and what it looks like when mucus or phlegm is involved (yes — dog coughing up phlegm and dog coughing up thick white mucus are important clues).

Cough vs. Gag vs. Hork: What's the difference?

Before we dive into causes, it helps to know what you're actually hearing:

● Cough — This is the sudden expulsion of air inspired by the lungs or the trachea. Cough may be dry, sore, or honking.

● Gag — vomiting reflex, can be caused by anything rubbing against or irritating the throat, or by something lodged in the mouth or throat.

● Dog gagging cough — The coughing noise is a combination of coughing and gagging or gasping (for example, we often hear it when a dog is irritated by a throat bug or has the kennel cough).

● Reverse sneezing — these are sharp and loud breathing-in periods that sound as though a person is being strangled. Typically non-infectious, self-contained.

Describing the exact sound to your vet (and noting when it happens — during exercise, after eating, at night) is incredibly helpful.

Common causes of dog coughing and gagging

There’s a wide range of causes, from mild to serious. Here are the most common:

1. Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis)

Kennel cough is a highly prent cause of a hock-like cough. It is commonly brought about by a mixture of bacteria (such as Bordetella Bronchiseptica), and viruses. Close proximity dogs, including kennels, dog parks, daycare, are more at risk.

Symptomatic feature: Acute, intractable, dry cough which may include gagging.

2. Respiratory infections (viral or bacterial)

Infected respiratory upper tracts might result in coughing, sneezing, fever, and secretions. In case your dog is coughing up phlegm or coughing up thick white mucus, it is probable that the dog is infected, requiring the scrutiny of the veterinarian.

3. Collapsing trachea

Small-breed dogs often develop a weakening of the windpipe cartilage. The hallmark is a goose-honk cough that worsens with excitement or pressure on the neck (like a tight collar).

4. Heart disease

The cough caused by heart difficulty is generally increased at night and can be accompanied by inability to exercise or being caused with lethargy. It’s a serious cause that needs prompt diagnosis.

5. Foreign body or throat irritation

Pets which chew on grotesque objects - sticks, grass awns, little toys, and all - may suddenly gulp or choke. This usually feels acute and may be accompanied by pawing at the mouth.

6. Laryngeal paralysis

Some old dogs, especially large ones, lose the skill to use the larynx, leading to deep breathing, coughing, and swallowing.

7. Allergies & environmental irritants

Sensitive dogs are capable of coughing and clearing their throats due to smoke, dust, power sprays, and seasonal allergens.

8. Gastroesophageal reflux or megaesophagus

In the case of a dog throwing up, or having issues with esophagus, the stomach contents or food can also irritate the throat, inducing gagging or coughing. See WOPET’s guide on dog vomiting for more on regurgitation vs. vomiting.

Kennel cough: Quick facts and treatment

Because kennel cough shows up so often in Google searches, here’s a focused look:

● What it looks like: A loud, hacking cough often described as “honking,” sometimes with gagging afterward. Dogs usually remain bright and active, but just have that persistent cough.

● How it spreads: Close contact, shared airspace, and contaminated surfaces. Mites aren’t involved — it’s mainly bacterial/viral.

● Treatment (kennel cough treatment): Majority of the dogs respond to treatment with supportive measures, which include rest, humidity (that can be achieved by using a humid bathroom), cough suppressants as advised, and antibiotics as suspected, since it may contain bacteria. Severe (in puppies or older dogs, in particular) may require hospitalization and oxygen. Bordetella vaccination prevents risk and severity.

● When to isolate: Keep a coughing dog off other pups until it has been cleared by your vet (and as recommended by vaccines).

When to worry: Concerning signs

Call your vet immediately if you see any of the following that your dog is coughing and choking:

● Breathing difficulty, blue or pale gums, or fainting.

● Coughing of more than 48 hours.

● Dog coughing up phlegm or dog coughing up thick white mucus frequently

● Cough with fever, lethargy, or lack of appetite.

● Coughing of bloody sputum or vomiting.

● Sudden onset after possible ingestion of a foreign object

These signs could indicate pneumonia, a foreign body, heart failure, or severe infection — all of which require immediate care.

How vets diagnose the cause

To determine the cause of coughing and gagging of your dog, anticipate the following steps:

1. History & physical exam — when it began, exposure (dog parks, kennels), vaccination, and Auscultation (hearing lungs/heart).

2. Thoracic X-rays — to examine lungs, heart, size, and inspect foreign bodies.

3. Tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage — when the airways are suspected of being infected.

4. Bloodwork — to check infection, anaemia, or organ issues.

5. Echo (ultrasound of the heart) — in case of suspicion of heart disease.

6. Endoscopy or exploratory surgery — it may involve removing objects trapped.

Treatment options and home care

It is treated depending on cause, severity, and the overall health of your dog. Here are common approaches:

● Supportive care: Bed rest and lack of exercise, water, humidity (humidifier or steamy bathroom), and fluids. A running stream of water, such as the WOPET Ceramics Wireless Pet Water Fountain can stimulate consumption, which will make mucus thinner.

● Medications: Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, antitussives (cough suppressants) to treat non-productive cough, bronchodilators to treat bronchospasm, or heart drugs in case it is caused by heart disease. Do not give human medicines without veterinary advice.

● Removal of foreign objects: In case of a stick or toy, endoscopy or surgery might be required.

● Monitoring for mucus: Dogs coughing up thick white mucus regularly have a persistent inflammatory or an infectious process; delay is not an option.

● Diet & positioning: In case of gagging after meals, feeding habits (small, frequent meals, upright positioning to treat some esophageal problems) may help.

A timed feeder, such as WOPET Barn Automatic Timed Feeder for Two Pets, will be handy in case you have more than one pet to feed before the designated time or if you need to keep your pet on a feeding schedule due to excessive gulping.

● Observation tools: In case you are not home, but need to monitor the coughing fits, a pet camera like the WOPET Guardian Dog Treat Camera allows you to view, converse, and even distract a pet during an episode.

Home remedies: What helps (And what to avoid)

Do:

● Keep your dog calm and rested.

● Clear the airways with a humidifier.

● Encourage hydration.

● Keep away aerosols, strong odors, smoke.

● Wear a harness rather than a collar because tracheal pressure is particularly reduced (especially for breeds prone to collapsing trachea).

Don’t:

● Give human cough medicines without vet approval. Many are toxic to dogs.

● Use essential oils around dogs — some are harmful and can worsen breathing.

● Delay a vet visit for persistent or severe coughing.

Prevention tips

● Be on track with regard to vaccinations, especially the Bordetella vaccine against kennel cough, where applicable.

● Do not risk entering dog premises when you know they are facing an outbreak.

● Maintain good air quality at home — reduce dust and strong chemicals.

● Monitor and manage underlying conditions (heart disease, allergies) with your vet.

FAQs

Q: Why is my dog coughing and gagging after drinking water?

A: Rapid gulping may cause a gag or cough, or excessive drinking of water may lead to irritation of the throat. Promote smaller and slower day day drinking and hydration.

Q: My dog has a sudden honking cough — is it kennel cough?

A: The kennel cough sounds like a honking cough, although other causes (collapsing trachea, foreign body) may also sound like kennel cough. In case your dog had come into contact with other dogs a few days back, there is a high probability of having kennel cough. Your vet will give you good advice about kennel cough treatment.

Q: What does it mean if my dog is coughing up thick white mucus?

A: White thick green mucus indicates an insidious or infectious situation in the airways or in the lungs themselves. Your vet can suggest such diagnostics as X-rays and, perhaps, airway sampling.

When to call the vet — Quick checklist

Summon to the vet immediately when your dog:

● Has difficulty breathing or its gums are blue/pale.

● Collapses or can’t stand.

● Produces bloody cough or copious mucus.

● Coughs fast, or last more than two days.

● Displays listlessness, fever, or lack of appetite in addition to coughing.

In case of a mild but continuous episode, visit a vet in 24-48 hours.

Final notes

Coughing and gagging in dogs can be caused by many things — some benign, some serious. Your observations (sound, timing, what your dog was doing before the episode) are powerful clues. When in doubt, check with your vet — diagnostics are straightforward and treatment is very effective for most causes.

Want more reading on related issues? WOPET covers common respiratory and digestive signs, including why dogs cough in Why Is My Dog Coughing? and how to tell vomiting from other problems in Dog Vomiting.

Always maintain a cool tone, a steady hand, and have a contact number of your vet on hand - most coughing phobias are just a story to share later over coffee.

Should you be coordinating food intake, water, or even have to check in on your dog when you're away, little gadgets (like a good feeder, water fountain, or a camera that monitors your pet) can help recover easier - and that's something you and your pup will both be thankful.