As pet owners, you might have come across your dog gagging. It can sometimes sound like a dry heave, a short cough, or even a retch. It only lasts for about a second or two, then stops. In many cases, it happens again. So, is this normal?
Seasoned pet owners might already know the answer. But for those who are new to dogs, this behavior is completely normal. Dogs gag when they eat too fast or inhale a small piece of fuzz. While it’s harmless, repeated and persistent gagging can point to something much more serious.
With that, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about dog gagging, why it happens, and how to help our dogs.
Do Dogs Have a Gag Reflex?
Yes, just like for us humans, dogs have a gag reflex. It’s also called the pharyngeal reflex. A dog’s gag reflex is like a built-in mechanism that prevents choking or inhaling food, water, or foreign objects.
It’s initiated by the sensory input from the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves to the brain. This can be triggered when something touches the back of the throat, the base of the tongue, or the soft palate. Here are the functions of each nerve type:
Glossopharyngeal Nerve. This nerve is the primary sensory nerve for the back of the throat and tongue. It sends this information to the brain, which then tells the muscles to gag.
Vagus Nerve. This nerve enables the motor response, the actual act of gagging. It activates the muscles of the pharynx and larynx, causing the rapid contractions that help keep the object from entering.
What Is the Difference Between Vomiting, Coughing, and Gagging in Dogs?
If your dog is always vomiting, coughing, and gagging, then it’s normal to get confused. These reflexes can look and sound similar, but they’re completely different. Here’s a brief overview:
Reflex | Difference |
|---|---|
Vomiting | Dog vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach. It involves multiple muscle groups, such as the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. |
Coughing | Coughing is a reflex to clear the dog’s airways. It’s initiated by sensors in the airway and followed through by the diaphragm, external intercostals, and abdominal muscles. |
Gagging | Gagging is a protective reflex that happens when something touches the back of the throat of dogs. It’s done by the pharynx and larynx muscles. |
That said, these reflexes are related. For instance, coughing can result in gagging. As the mucus or fluid gets pushed away from the airways, it can irritate the throat, resulting in the dog gag reflex.
Is it Normal if My Dog Keeps Gagging?
A few times every now and then is normal. Your dog might be eating or drinking too fast, or perhaps they're just plain excited.
However, if your dog keeps on gagging, then it’s something you should be concerned about. Be sure to take note if your dog is gagging every day, multiple times a day, or showing other symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, and lethargy.
Why Does My Dog Keep Gagging?
The dog gag reflex is a regular part of its life. But as previously mentioned, repeated and frequent gagging can be an issue that requires attention, especially when there are other symptoms accompanying it. Here are the most common reasons why your dog keeps gagging:
Throat Irritation
One of the simplest causes of gagging in dogs is throat irritation. This usually happens when grass, fur, small toys, and other objects get lodged in the back of your dog’s throat. When something touches these specific areas, the body will react to get it out.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of many respiratory infections that can be the reason why your dog is always coughing and gagging. It’s an illness that causes a dry, hacking cough, which is often followed by gagging.
Kennel cough is a common disease in places with lots of dogs, such as unhygienic boarding facilities, kennels, and shelters.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a condition common in smaller dog breeds. It happens when the trachea weakens and flattens during breathing. This often leads to a goose-honk cough that is followed by gagging. Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and other small dogs are at risk.
The symptoms you’ll notice at home often include labored breathing, exercise intolerance, and fatigue.
Laryngeal Paralysis
In larger dog breeds, the larynx can lose the ability to open and close normally. This usually happens due to muscle degeneration, trauma, tumors, or other diseases.
Dogs affected by laryngeal paralysis often experience airway restriction. This interferes with their airways, leading to noisy breathing and coughing. Gagging can also occur as fluids enter the airway because the larynx does not properly close during swallowing.
Airway Inflammation
Pneumonia, bronchitis, and other conditions that involve airway inflammation can also cause gagging in dogs. It happens when irritation and swelling trigger coughing, allowing mucus and fluid to activate the gag reflex in dogs.
It’s common in older dogs, especially those constantly getting exposed to allergens, irritants, and infectious pathogens.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Dogs who develop acid reflux can also experience gagging. As the acid backs up into the throat, it irritates the tissue around it and activates the dog gag reflex. It’s one of the many symptoms associated with GERD. This usually happens to dogs who eat large meals or drink water too fast.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can also be the cause of your dog’s constant gagging. It happens when congestive heart failure results in a buildup of fluid in the lungs. This leads to coughing, which will also cause dogs to gag.
Why Do Old Dogs Cough and Gag More?
If you’ve ever noticed your old dog coughing and gagging more frequently, then you’re not alone. Older dogs will naturally have weaker internal structures. This means that their muscles will lose tone, cartilage will soften, and reflexes will become less coordinated.
Their age also means that they are susceptible to many diseases, such as tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, and other conditions.
How Vets Diagnose the Cause of Your Dog’s Coughing and Gagging
When examining your dog, we’ll first conduct a full physical examination and an assessment of its symptoms. We’ll ask questions about your dog’s gagging, activities, lifestyle, and the places it has visited.
From here, we’ll continue examining the mouth, throat, tonsils, and neck area. Based on the observations, we can conduct a series of tests, which include:
Diagnostic Imaging. Chest X-rays will be a standard test to assess your dog’s trachea, lungs, heart, and other related structures.
Blood Tests. Bloodwork will be done to test for infections, inflammation, and other metabolic issues that may have caused your dog’s gagging.
Airway Endoscopy. An airway endoscopy allows us to directly visualize your dog’s throat, larynx, and trachea. This helps us identify any foreign objects, tumors, or signs of inflammation.
The main purpose of the diagnostic process is to rule out the common conditions that can cause gagging in dogs.
Treatment Options for Dog Coughing and Gagging
The right treatment for a dog that keeps gagging depends entirely on what the issue is. Since it’s more of a symptom than an actual disease, we’ll look to treat the entire condition completely. For cases caused by foreign objects, we will simply remove them through a throat flush or retrieval.
If infections are the cause, then the main treatment options will involve medications such as antimicrobials, cough suppressants, and anti-inflammatories. These aim to eliminate the pathogen, manage the cough, and relieve the airways.
In some cases, such as tracheal collapse and laryngeal paralysis, we may conduct surgical correction to help open up these areas. The appropriate medications and supportive care will also be provided to aid with recovery.
Other diseases will require specific treatments and medications as well. All of these will be provided by our vet pharmacy to treat your dog’s coughing and gagging.
Vet Tips: Home Adjustments to Prevent Dog Coughing and Gagging
While you can’t stop gagging, you reduce how often it happens to your dog. Here are a few home care tips:
Use a Harness
Switching to a harness will significantly reduce the pressure on your dog’s throat. This reduces the risk of tracheal collapse and other respiratory conditions.
Feed Meals Slowly
Feed smaller meals slowly to help your dog eat at a controlled pace. Smaller portions will help reduce strain on the throat and stomach. This can also help avoid obesity.
Clean Your Home
Be sure to clean your home and keep small objects away from your dog. Use humidifiers and air purifiers to keep the air clean and free from allergens.
Control Your Dog’s Weight
A dog’s weight is directly related to its overall health. Keep your dog at a healthy weight by providing regular exercise and playtime.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Regular checkups help us identify any potential issues before they worsen. So, even before your dog keeps on gagging, it’s helpful to visit.
“Gagging is one of the ways our dogs call out to us for help.”
- Dr. Nenad Misura
Final Thoughts
The dog gag reflex is a normal part of its life. But when gagging becomes too frequent, then it’s something to be worried about. No matter if it’s a small object or a mild infection, if your dog keeps gagging, don’t guess. It’s time to act.
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