<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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 <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">dog coughing and gagging are long-lasting.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">This guide breaks down the common causes of <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">coughing and gagging in dogs, what the sounds usually mean, how vets diagnose the problem, practical home care, and when to call for help.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">We&rsquo;ll also touch on <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">kennel cough, how it&rsquo;s treated, and what it looks like when mucus or phlegm is involved (yes &mdash; <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">dog coughing up phlegm and <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">dog coughing up thick white mucus are important clues).

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-align: center;" align="center">

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Cough vs. Gag vs. Hork: What's the difference?</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Before we dive into causes, it helps to know what you're actually hearing:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Cough <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; This is the sudden expulsion of air inspired by the lungs or the trachea. Cough may be dry, sore, or honking.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Gag <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; vomiting reflex, can be caused by anything rubbing against or irritating the throat, or by something lodged in the mouth or throat.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Dog gagging cough <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; 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).</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Reverse sneezing <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; these are sharp and loud breathing-in periods that sound as though a person is being strangled. Typically non-infectious, self-contained.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Describing the exact sound to your vet (and noting when it happens &mdash; during exercise, after eating, at night) is incredibly helpful.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Common causes of dog coughing and gagging</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">There&rsquo;s a wide range of causes, from mild to serious. Here are the most common:

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">1. Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis)</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Kennel cough is a highly prent cause of a hock-like cough. It is commonly brought about by a mixture of bacteria (such as <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Bordetella Bronchiseptica</span>), and viruses. Close proximity dogs, including kennels, dog parks, daycare, are more at risk.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: 0pt;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Symptomatic feature: Acute, intractable, dry cough which may include gagging.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">2. Respiratory infections (viral or bacterial)</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Infected respiratory upper tracts might result in coughing, sneezing, fever, and secretions. In case your dog is <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">coughing up phlegm or <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">coughing up thick white mucus, it is probable that the dog is infected, requiring the scrutiny of the veterinarian.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">3. Collapsing trachea</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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).

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">4. Heart disease</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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&rsquo;s a serious cause that needs prompt diagnosis.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">5. Foreign body or throat irritation</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">6. Laryngeal paralysis</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Some old dogs, especially large ones, lose the skill to use the larynx, leading to deep breathing, coughing, and swallowing.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">7. Allergies & environmental irritants</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Sensitive dogs are capable of coughing and clearing their throats due to smoke, dust, power sprays, and seasonal allergens.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 34px; font-size: 22px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">8. Gastroesophageal reflux or megaesophagus</h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">See WOPET&rsquo;s guide on</span> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"><u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">dog vomiting</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;"> for more on regurgitation vs. vomiting.</span>

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Kennel cough: Quick facts and treatment</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Because <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">kennel cough shows up so often in Google searches, here&rsquo;s a focused look:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">What it looks like: A loud, hacking cough often described as &ldquo;honking,&rdquo; sometimes with gagging afterward. Dogs usually remain bright and active, but just have that persistent cough.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">How it spreads: Close contact, shared airspace, and contaminated surfaces. Mites aren&rsquo;t involved &mdash; it&rsquo;s mainly bacterial/viral.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">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. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Bordetella</span> vaccination prevents risk and severity.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">When to isolate: Keep a coughing dog off other pups until it has been cleared by your vet (and as recommended by vaccines).

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center">

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">When to worry: Concerning signs</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Call your vet immediately if you see any of the following that your dog is coughing and choking:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Breathing difficulty, blue or pale gums, or fainting.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Coughing of more than 48 hours.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Dog coughing up phlegm or <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">dog coughing up thick white mucus frequently

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Cough with fever, lethargy, or lack of appetite.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Coughing of bloody sputum or vomiting.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Sudden onset after possible ingestion of a foreign object

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">These signs could indicate pneumonia, a foreign body, heart failure, or severe infection &mdash; all of which require immediate care.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">How vets diagnose the cause</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">To determine the cause of <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">coughing and gagging of your dog, anticipate the following steps:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">1. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">History & physical exam <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; when it began, exposure (dog parks, kennels), vaccination, and Auscultation (hearing lungs/heart).</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">2. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Thoracic X-rays <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; to examine lungs, heart, size, and inspect foreign bodies.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">3. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; when the airways are suspected of being infected.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">4. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Bloodwork <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; to check infection, anaemia, or organ issues.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">5. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Echo (ultrasound of the heart) <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; in case of suspicion of heart disease.</span>

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">6. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Endoscopy or exploratory surgery <span style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; line-height: 36px; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;">&mdash; it may involve removing objects trapped.</span>

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Treatment options and home care</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">It is treated depending on cause, severity, and the overall health of your dog. Here are common approaches:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Supportive care: Bed rest and lack of exercise, water, humidity (humidifier or steamy bathroom), and fluids. A running stream of water, such as the <u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">WOPET Ceramics Wireless Pet Water Fountain can stimulate consumption, which will make mucus thinner.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">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.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Removal of foreign objects: In case of a stick or toy, endoscopy or surgery might be required.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Monitoring for mucus: Dogs <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">coughing up thick white mucus regularly have a persistent inflammatory or an infectious process; delay is not an option.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Diet & positioning: In case of gagging after meals, feeding habits (small, frequent meals, upright positioning to treat some esophageal problems) may help.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: 0pt;">A timed feeder, such as <u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">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.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Observation tools: In case you are not home, but need to monitor the coughing fits, a pet camera like the <u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">WOPET Guardian Dog Treat Camera allows you to view, converse, and even distract a pet during an episode.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Home remedies: What helps (And what to avoid)</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Do:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Keep your dog calm and rested.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Clear the airways with a humidifier.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Encourage hydration.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Keep away aerosols, strong odors, smoke.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Wear a harness rather than a collar because tracheal pressure is particularly reduced (especially for breeds prone to collapsing trachea).

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Don&rsquo;t:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Give human cough medicines without vet approval. Many are toxic to dogs.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Use essential oils around dogs &mdash; some are harmful and can worsen breathing.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Delay a vet visit for persistent or severe coughing.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Prevention tips</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Be on track with regard to vaccinations, especially the <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Bordetella vaccine against <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">kennel cough, where applicable.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Do not risk entering dog premises when you know they are facing an outbreak.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Maintain good air quality at home &mdash; reduce dust and strong chemicals.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Monitor and manage underlying conditions (heart disease, allergies) with your vet.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">FAQs</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Q: Why is my dog coughing and gagging after drinking water?

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Q: My dog has a sudden honking cough &mdash; is it kennel cough?

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">A: The <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">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 <strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">kennel cough treatment.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Q: What does it mean if my dog is coughing up thick white mucus?

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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.

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">When to call the vet &mdash; Quick checklist</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Summon to the vet immediately when your dog:

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Has difficulty breathing or its gums are blue/pale.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Collapses or can&rsquo;t stand.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Produces bloody cough or copious mucus.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Coughs fast, or last more than two days.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-indent: -18pt;">● Displays listlessness, fever, or lack of appetite in addition to coughing.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">In case of a mild but continuous episode, visit a vet in 24-48 hours.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular; text-align: center;" align="center">

<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 36px; font-size: 24px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Bold;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Final notes</h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Coughing and gagging in dogs can be caused by many things &mdash; 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 &mdash; diagnostics are straightforward and treatment is very effective for most causes.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">Want more reading on related issues? WOPET covers common respiratory and digestive signs, including why dogs cough in <u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Why Is My Dog Coughing? and how to tell vomiting from other problems in <u style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent;">Dog Vomiting.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px; font-size: 16px; color: #232f3f; font-family: Quicksand-Regular;">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.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 36px;">[size= 16px]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.[/size]
[size= 13.3333px]Dog Coughing and Gagging: Causes, What to Watch For, and How to Help[/size]