A dog hacking cough and drooling can be an alarming combination. These symptoms often indicate irritation can escalate quickly depending on the underlying cause.
We outline the common causes behind a dog’s hacking cough and drooling, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Dog Hacking Cough and Drooling: Why It Happens
A dog hacking cough and drooling usually stem from irritation or obstruction in the throat, inflammation in the airways, infections, dental problems, or conditions that trigger nausea.
Dogs drool when something prevents them from swallowing normally, and they cough when the airway or throat is irritated or inflamed.
When these two symptoms appear together, it often suggests that something is affecting both the mouth and respiratory system at the same time. This may include kennel cough, throat infections, tonsillitis, heart disease, allergies, or even something physically stuck in the throat.
The combination can be uncomfortable, distressing, and in some cases dangerous, depending on severity and speed of progression.
Dog Hacking Cough and Drooling: Common Causes
Throat or Tonsil Infections
Infections involving the throat, tonsils, or soft palate often cause both hacking cough and drooling.
Bacterial and viral infections can inflame the tissues around the throat, making swallowing uncomfortable.
The irritation also stimulates coughing as the dog tries to clear thick mucus or phlegm that forms during inflammation.
You may notice your dog swallowing excessively, licking their lips, refusing food, or keeping their head low.
Drooling becomes more prominent when the dog avoids swallowing due to discomfort. A throat infection can also make breathing sound slightly raspy or congested.
Left untreated, these infections can progress deeper into the airway or spread to the lungs, so early evaluation is important.
Read more: Dog constantly hacking (Is it serious?)
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of the most common reasons for a hacking or honking cough. It is a contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria and viruses that inflame the trachea and upper airways.
When the airway lining becomes irritated, dogs often produce a dry, harsh cough that sounds like they are trying to clear something stuck in their throat.
The drooling occurs because the force and frequency of coughing can irritate the throat so much that swallowing becomes painful.
When swallowing hurts, saliva builds up and drips from the mouth instead of being swallowed normally. Some dogs may also gag or retch between coughing spells, which can add to the drooling.
Although kennel cough often resolves with rest and supportive care, it can worsen in puppies, seniors, and dogs with weak immune systems, so veterinary guidance is recommended if symptoms intensify or linger.
Foreign Object Stuck in the Throat
A foreign body lodged in the throat or upper airway is one of the most urgent causes of a hacking cough and drooling.
Dogs may swallow grass awns, small sticks, bone fragments, toy pieces, or other debris that become trapped near the back of the throat or in the tonsillar crypts.
When something is stuck, the dog hacks repeatedly in an attempt to expel it. The object may scrape or irritate the throat, causing immediate drooling as saliva flows but cannot be comfortably swallowed. Some dogs paw at their mouths, gag, pace restlessly, or appear panicked.
This situation can progress rapidly if the object shifts and blocks the airway. Even when the dog can still breathe, trapped objects can cause infection, swelling, and severe discomfort. This is always a reason to seek prompt veterinary attention.
Dental Disease or Oral Pain
Dental infections, broken teeth, gum disease, abscesses, or oral ulcers can all trigger excessive drooling.
When the mouth is painful or swollen, a dog avoids swallowing, causing saliva to accumulate and spill out. In some cases, infection within the mouth creates foul odors or visible pus, which further irritates the throat.
The hacking cough may develop because dogs swallow saliva mixed with bacteria from oral infections.
This can irritate the throat or trigger post-nasal-like drainage patterns that lead to coughing fits. Additionally, inflammation from advanced dental disease can travel deeper into the tissues and impact breathing or airway comfort.
Many owners do not realize how much oral pain contributes to coughing until the underlying dental issue is treated.
Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure
Heart disease can also lead to a hacking cough and drooling, especially in small and senior dogs.
When the heart struggles to pump effectively, fluid can accumulate around the lungs or within the airways. This produces a persistent cough that may worsen at night or when lying down.
Drooling may occur if the reduced oxygen flow causes nausea, discomfort, or panting that leads to saliva buildup. Dogs may also drool because the coughing episodes make swallowing difficult or uncomfortable.
Heart-related coughing is a serious condition and requires veterinary diagnosis and ongoing treatment. If your dog hacks, tires easily, has a swollen belly, or breathes rapidly even at rest, this may be heart-related and deserves immediate attention.
Nausea or Gastrointestinal Upset
Nausea is another common cause of drooling, and in some dogs, it can also trigger a hacking cough.
When the stomach or esophagus is irritated, dogs may cough from reflux or try to clear the throat while simultaneously drooling uncontrollably.
This combination may appear when dogs eat something inappropriate, encounter toxins, experience pancreatitis, or have acid reflux. The throat can become irritated by stomach acid, causing a recurring cough that worsens after eating or during rest.
If nausea is the driver of the drooling and coughing, you may also see signs like vomiting, grass-eating, lip-smacking, or reluctance to eat.
Allergies
Environmental triggers such as dust, pollen, smoke, cleaning sprays, and strong scents can irritate the airways. This often produces a hacking cough as the dog tries to clear the irritation from the throat or trachea.
The irritation can also make swallowing uncomfortable, or stimulate the glands that produce saliva, leading to drooling.
Dogs with allergies may also show itching, red eyes, sneezing, or paw-licking in addition to coughing and drooling.
Allergic coughing can be mild or severe depending on the trigger and the dog’s sensitivity. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated, especially if breathing becomes labored.
Read more: Dog Hacking Cough and Panting (What it means and what to do)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Hacking, Coughing, and Drooling
If your dog is experiencing a hacking cough and drooling, start by keeping them calm and comfortable. Excitement and movement can worsen coughing episodes, so provide a quiet resting area and reduce physical activity.
Encourage hydration with fresh water, as keeping the throat moist may ease irritation and help loosen mucus.
It can also help to run a humidifier near your dog’s resting area. Moist air soothes irritated airway tissues and may reduce the intensity of coughing fits.
Avoid using strong-smelling cleaners, candles, or sprays while your dog is symptomatic, as these can aggravate both coughing and drooling.
If you suspect something is stuck in your dog’s throat, do not attempt to remove it at home. Even gentle probing can push the object deeper or damage the tissues. Instead, keep your dog calm and seek veterinary care immediately.
When the hacking cough and drooling are mild but persistent, monitor your dog closely for progression. Watch for changes in appetite, breathing rate, energy level, or worsening symptoms. These clues help determine whether the problem is simply irritation or something more serious requiring treatment.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog has a hacking cough and drooling accompanied by difficulty breathing. Open-mouth breathing, blue gums, or noticeable chest effort indicate that your dog is struggling to move air and requires immediate care.
You should also seek urgent veterinary attention if you suspect a foreign object is lodged in the throat. Sudden coughing, drooling, gagging, or pawing at the mouth often signals this problem, and it can become life-threatening quickly.
Persistent symptoms lasting more than a few days also warrant evaluation. Long-lasting coughing or drooling can be signs of infection, heart disease, or structural problems that require diagnosis and medical treatment.
If your dog is vomiting, refusing food, extremely lethargic, or producing thick mucus when coughing, these are additional warning signs that the condition is more serious. Early intervention can prevent complications and keep your dog more comfortable.
Related: Dog hacking cough and not eating (Why it happens)
Key Takeaway
A dog hacking cough and drooling is a concerning combination that often points to irritation, infection, nausea, or an obstruction affecting the throat or airways.
While some causes are mild and easy to treat, others require prompt veterinary attention, especially if breathing becomes difficult or your dog appears distressed.
Monitoring symptoms closely, offering comfort at home, and seeking timely veterinary care will help ensure your dog gets the treatment they need and feels better as quickly as possible.