When To See Your Vet?Ī one-off bout of coughing or gagging isn’t generally something to worry about. Gagging often happens just before or after coughing, and it can sound like your dog is trying to cough and vomit at the same time.

Your dog will open their mouth wide and look like they want to bring something up, but they won’t generally bring anything up aside from a little saliva and mucus. Gagging is a non-scientific term of something in between coughing and vomiting. You don’t need to worry too much about this it is not uncommon for dogs to eat their own vomit. That is, of course, unless they eat it first. It is usually quite obvious when your dog vomits as you will be cleaning up their stomach contents from the floor. Vomiting is when they bring up their stomach contents. It is important that you can tell the difference, as your vet will want to know exactly what is happening with your dog to make an accurate diagnosis.Ī cough is when your dog sharply expels air from their mouth but doesn’t bring anything up with it.Ī bit of saliva or mucus that was already in the mouth or nose might be expelled, but they aren’t bringing up any contents from their stomach. Not everyone has a clear idea of the difference between coughing, gagging, and vomiting in dogs, but the three are quite different. If your dog is coughing or gagging you should contact your veterinarian immediately. We’ll also share some of the best over-the-counter and home remedies that you can use to soothe your dog’s throat when they are suffering from a cough.ĭISCLAIMER: We are not veterinarians. We’ll also suggest what you should do if you notice your dog is coughing or gagging and when to start worrying. Read on as we look at the differences between coughing, gagging, and vomiting in dogs, and the most common causes of coughing and gagging, especially when it comes to older dogs. While coughing and gagging can be a symptom of a minor illness, just like in humans, it can also be an indication that your older dog has developed a more serious medical condition that requires veterinary attention. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.Īs your dog gets older, it is natural to start worrying about them and become concerned when they show symptoms of declining health, such as coughing and gagging.

My dog coughs like he has a hairball