My puppy is hacking after eating a treat. Is it stuck or kennel cough?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Male | unneutered | 5 months and 6 days old | 50 lbs
My 5 month old puppy ate a turkey tendon treat too quickly and has been hacking a bit ever since about two days ago. He still has the same energy and appetite and is normal other than the occasional hacking. I believe he swallowed the piece sideways or something and now its stuck in his throat. Im not sure if it will eventually get dislodged as he eats other food or if i should take him to the vet to get it looked it. Do I wait it out since it doesn't seem to interfere with his normal day to day
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 21st, 2019
I think it is unlikely that he has treat stuck in his throat. This happens very, very rarely and honestly, in 25 years I have never seen this happen. It would only really happen if there was a motility disorder with his esophagus. The esophagus could be irritated if the treat went down "sideways", sure, but based on his age and your description of the clinical signs, my best guess is that he has kennel cough. It is probably just coincidence that the coughing episodes started with the treat ingestion. I suggest you get him to your vet for an exam. If he has kennel cough he is contagious to other dogs. ( https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/kennel-cough/ )
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 8th, 2021
If this has been going on for more than three weeks, I would definitely recommend taking him to your vet t get it checked, if it's not been 3 weeks yet, it's highly likely to be a kennel cough infection and this should resolve without treatment within 3 weeks.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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