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Why is my dog coughing and gagging like he's trying to throw up?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 11 days old

My dog just coughed as if he was going to throw up, he's done it before a few times but I just thought he got something stuck but now I'm a little worried as he's just done it while he was laying down with nothing in his mouth, he goes and has a drink after. What could it be?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 2nd, 2017

Hi there and thank you for your post! Intermittent / infrequent coughing can be due to a number of possibilities. Kennel cough, allergies, irritations, foreign material lodged in airway, collapsing trachea are just several possibilities that could be causing the cough. If the coughing has not gone away completely, I would consider getting him seen by a vet to have his lungs and upper airway examined and consider having chest / tracheal x-rays performed. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via phone or text consultation.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 21st, 2018

    Cough can be caused by an infection, heart problem or lung condition, it is important to first know the cause before treating it as treatment is different from condition to another. The most common disease causing cough is a viral infection called Kennel cough, this disease usually resolves without treatment within a couple weeks but if the cough is too severe it is recommended to go to the vet in order to get cough medicine and antibiotics.

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