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?
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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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!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 13th, 2017
Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Another thing to consider is a foreign body that could have lodged in the throat for example eliciting a cough response. Your veterinarian could potentially perform cervical radiographs to see if something is seen. If nothing is seen and this is highly suspected, then other imaging such as endoscopy may be indicated. Her vomiting could be due to a variety of reasons such as foreign body ingestion/obstruction, dietary indiscretion, among many other possibilities. Your veterinarian could also assess this issue with general labwork and abdominal radiographs. Good luck and have a good evening!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on August 15th, 2019
Some types of respiratory issues, something stuck in the throat, intestinal parasites, kennel cough, nausea, GI obstruction, acid reflux, among lots of other possibilities. I would recommend having Smoke examined by a vet to determine what is the cause.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on March 14th, 2017
If it has been happening for more than 2 weeks, it's likely to be a chronic problem, it could be a heart condition, hearthworm, a chronic lung disease or a collapsed windpipe. i strongly recommend taking her to the vet to get that checked.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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