Why does my dog randomly sound like he’s choking? Simple and Effective Tips

When Should I Be Concerned About a Dog Gagging?

Just like us, every dog sometimes swallows wrong and has a bout of dog coughing and gagging, so this isn’t a problem to immediately be concerned about.

If your pet is bright, alert, breathing normally, eating and drinking as expected, and appears to be feeling fine, you should monitor the problem for 48-72 hours.

If the gagging lasts longer than this, it may well be something more significant than just some minor reaction from swallowing wrong. If any other symptoms are present—your dog appears worried or distressed, is having ANY trouble breathing, has an increase in noise during breathing, or is not feeling well in any fashion—I would recommend an exam sooner rather than later.

Whenever the respiratory system is not quite right, we tend to take the condition seriously as veterinarians. So, if you sense something isn’t right, I would recommend taking steps to get it diagnosed.

What will happen to my choking dog at the vets?

The vet will confirm whether your dog is actually choking, rather than coughing or experiencing a different respiratory condition. They may sedate your dog to reduce their distress and to make it easier to examine the mouth and throat as well as remove any object.

Is there a Heimlich maneuver for dogs?

If your dog has collapsed and cannot breathe, you can try a variation of the Heimlich maneuver for dogs.

To perform the Heimlich maneuver:

For small dogs, hold his back against your stomach (head up, paws down), and find the soft hollow under the ribs. Your closed fist should fit into this spot. Pull up and in two or three times, toward your own tummy, using a thrusting motion.

For dogs too large to lift, place him on his side and kneel behind his back. Place your closed fist in the hollow under his rib cage, and push upward and inward sharply, in the direction of your dog’s head and your knees.

Only ever do this in serious emergency situations, as it can cause damage to the chest, and your dog will need to be checked afterwards by a vet. In most cases, getting rid of the choking obstruction allows the dog to begin breathing again on his own.

Find your nearest clinic for immediate treatment.

Dog Coughing Sounds Like a Hairball: Do This

Kennel cough is a dry, hacking, persistentcough that can sound like the dog has something stuck in its throat. This dryhack is often followed by gagging or retching that sounds like the dog iscoughing up a hairball, like a cat. Some dogs have coughing fits every fewminutes, while other dogs are constantly coughing throughout the day. The coughusually sets in 5 to 10 days after initial infection and can last up to 3weeks.

Kennel cough, or Canine InfectiousRespiratory Disease Complex, is an upper respiratory infection that affectsdogs of all ages. Caused by a range of different viruses and bacteria, kennelcough’s main symptom is inflammation of the dog’s upper respiratory tract,including the larynx and windpipe. This inflammation leads to the mostwell-known symptom: the cough.