A dog hacking and retching can be frightening to witness, especially when the sounds are intense or repeated throughout the day.
These symptoms often make dog owners worry about choking, kennel cough, or something serious occurring inside the chest or throat. The good news is that many causes are treatable once identified, but prompt attention is important.
We outline the common causes of hacking and retching in dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Hacking and Retching: Why It Happens
A dog may hack and retch due to irritation in the throat, inflammation in the airways, respiratory infections, stomach upset, or something physically lodged in the throat. These actions are a dog’s way of trying to clear mucus, remove an irritant, or relieve pressure inside the airway.
Common causes include kennel cough, allergies, throat inflammation, acid reflux, and even parasites, all of which can make the throat feel tickly, swollen, or obstructed.
Sometimes the cause is mild, but other times the symptoms signal a more concerning problem that needs veterinary attention.
Dog Hacking and Retching: Common Causes
Throat Irritation or Inflammation
Throat inflammation can develop from pulling against a collar, inhaling dust or smoke, eating something sharp, or recovering from recent vomiting.
When the throat tissues swell or become irritated, even a small amount of mucus can trigger hacking or retching.
You may notice that your dog seems uncomfortable when swallowing or repeatedly tries to clear their throat. Drinking water may temporarily soothe the irritation, only for the symptoms to return minutes later.
In some dogs, the hacking is worse after barking, eating, or waking up from sleep.
This is an important cause to consider because continuous retching can worsen throat swelling, and unresolved irritation may progress to infection. Dogs who seem painful when swallowing or who refuse food need veterinary evaluation.
Read more: Dog Constantly Hacking (What it means)
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of the most frequent reasons a dog suddenly develops hacking, retching, or a deep honking cough.
This contagious illness affects the trachea and bronchi, causing inflammation that irritates the dog’s throat every time they breathe or move.
The irritation triggers a forceful hacking cough, which can lead to retching or gagging afterward.
You may also notice your dog coughing more at night, after excitement, or during exercise. Some dogs produce foamy saliva after a coughing fit, and the throat may feel sensitive when you gently touch it.
While most cases are mild, dogs with weakened immune systems or underlying conditions may become more severely affected.
Kennel cough is serious in the context of hacking and retching because the repeated pressure can exhaust the dog, reduce appetite, and cause secondary infections. Any dog with worsening signs, fever, or lethargy should be seen by a vet promptly.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid moves upward into the esophagus, causing burning and inflammation.
This irritation can make dogs hack, swallow repeatedly, suddenly lift their head and stretch their neck, or retch like they are trying to bring something up.
You may also notice gulping, licking the lips, restlessness after meals, or vomiting small amounts of clear or yellow fluid.
Reflux can be triggered by fatty meals, late-night eating, certain medications, stress, or underlying GI conditions.
When reflux causes hacking and retching, the symptoms can persist daily and make the dog uncomfortable. Over time, unmanaged reflux can lead to inflammation of the esophagus, reduced appetite, and painful swallowing, so early attention is beneficial.
Foreign Object in the Throat
A lodged object—such as a piece of grass, a small stick, a chicken bone, or even a toy fragment—can cause sudden and intense hacking and retching.
Dogs may paw at their mouth, swallow repeatedly, drool, or appear panicked. Some will refuse food or water because swallowing feels painful.
Foreign material is especially concerning because it can damage the throat, obstruct the airway, or migrate deeper into the respiratory tract. Even soft objects can cause continuous coughing as the body tries to expel them.
If your dog’s hacking and retching started abruptly during or after eating, chewing, or playing with toys, a foreign object becomes a top concern requiring immediate assessment.
Allergies
Allergies—whether seasonal, environmental, or triggered by something specific like dust, pollen, or cleaning products—can make a dog’s throat itchy and inflamed. When this happens, dogs may hack, retch, sneeze, lick their paws, or rub their face on the carpet.
Indoor irritants play a role as well, including scented candles, air fresheners, cigarette smoke, and aerosol sprays. Even mild exposure can set off a cycle of throat irritation and coughing that leads to retching.
Allergy-related hacking is concerning because, without treatment, the symptoms can escalate into chronic inflammation, making breathing less comfortable for the dog and increasing the risk of respiratory infections. Dogs with year-round symptoms often need management to reduce flare-ups.
Intestinal or Respiratory Parasites
Certain parasites—such as roundworms, lungworms, and throat worms—can cause persistent hacking and retching. Lungworms irritate the airways directly, while roundworms may migrate to the lungs during their life cycle, triggering coughing and attempts to vomit.
You might notice additional signs like weight loss, a bloated stomach, reduced appetite, or intermittent vomiting.
Parasites are especially important to consider in puppies, rescue dogs, or dogs who hunt, play outdoors frequently, or live near wildlife.
Untreated parasite infections can cause long-term damage to the respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract. Because hacking and retching are common symptoms of multiple parasites, proper testing is essential for accurate treatment.
Read more: Dog Coughing and Gagging (Causes and care tips)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Hacking and Retching
When your dog is hacking and retching, the first step is to stay calm and observe their breathing and behavior. If they seem distressed or unable to settle, keep them in a quiet space away from activity or excitement, as this reduces strain on the throat and airways.
Encourage your dog to drink small amounts of water to soothe irritation. Avoid giving food immediately, especially hard kibble, until the symptoms calm down.
Soft food may be more comfortable if your dog still wants to eat. If you suspect acid reflux, keeping meals small and avoiding late-night feeding can help reduce symptoms.
Check the environment for irritants such as smoke, cleaning sprays, perfumes, scented products, or dust. Improving ventilation or using an air purifier can help dogs with allergies or throat sensitivity.
If the hacking started after a walk or outdoor activity, wiping your dog’s face and paws may help remove allergens.
Monitor the frequency and intensity of the symptoms. Occasional hacking after drinking water or barking may not be serious, but repeated episodes throughout the day, worsening retching, or signs of pain are concerning.
Dogs who try to vomit repeatedly without producing anything may be experiencing severe throat irritation or something lodged in the airway, which requires urgent care.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should seek veterinary care right away if the hacking and retching become constant, severe, or are accompanied by difficulty breathing. Dogs who appear distressed, collapse, or cannot catch their breath need emergency attention.
Retching without producing anything can also be a sign of a partial obstruction or a dangerous buildup of gas in the stomach.
Contact your vet promptly if you notice fever, lethargy, nasal discharge, or a change in your dog’s bark, as these signs may indicate infection.
Dogs who refuse food, show pain when swallowing, or continue hacking despite rest also need a medical evaluation.
Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with underlying conditions such as heart disease or tracheal collapse can decline more quickly, so earlier intervention is safest.
Also, if the symptoms began suddenly during eating, chewing, or playing with toys, a foreign object must be ruled out immediately.
Related: Dog keeps hacking up phlegm (Here’s why)
Key Takeaway
Hacking and retching in dogs are symptoms that can range from mild irritation to more serious respiratory or digestive problems.
While occasional throat clearing may not indicate a major issue, repeated or intense episodes should never be ignored.
Understanding the common causes helps you respond quickly and confidently, ensuring your dog receives the care they need.
With attentive monitoring, environmental adjustments, and timely veterinary guidance, most dogs recover well and return to comfortable breathing and normal activity.
If your dog is frequently hacking or seems uncomfortable, reaching out to your vet is the best way to restore their comfort and protect their health.