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Why is my puppy gagging or dry heaving but not throwing up?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Female | unspayed | 4 months and 6 days old | 13 lbs

My puppy tried to throw up this morning before breakfast but nothing comes out. She still eating and no diarrhea. Her stomach is not hard to touch. What’s wrong?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 19th, 2019

Sometimes a loud productive cough like kennel cough can look really similar to vomiting in dogs do that’s one possibility. Tessie also may have retched once due to nausea if she ate something that she shouldn’t. If it doesn’t happen again I wouldn’t worry about it. If she continues or if she begins to vomit or cough I’d recommend seeing your vet.

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 7th, 2018

    HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Vinci! If he is eating, drinking and breathing normally nothing is stuck. The most common reason for what you are describing is actually coughing. Dogs can cough enough to hit their gag reflex and they sound and look like they are trying to hack something up at the end of a cough. The most common reason for a cough in a puppy is kennel cough, which can be caused by many types of bacteria, viruses, etc. Since he is so young and small I recommend that Vinci be evaluated by your Vet. Video tape an episode in case he doesn't do it for the Vet. Kennel cough can progress to pneumonia in the very young and very old. Some vets will start antibiotics and cough suppressants. I hope this helps and I wish you and Vinci the best!

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