A dog hacking cough paired with loss of appetite is always concerning, especially when the symptoms come on suddenly or seem to worsen over a short period of time.
We outline the common causes of a hacking cough and loss of appetite in dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Hacking Cough and Not Eating: Why It Happens
A dog hacking cough and not eating can happen together when the respiratory system is irritated, infected, or struggling, and the dog feels too unwell to maintain a normal appetite.
Conditions like kennel cough, pneumonia, heart disease, throat irritation, or even something stuck in the airway can all trigger coughing fits that make eating uncomfortable or difficult.
Dogs also tend to lose their appetite when they feel feverish, nauseous, or fatigued, which often happens with respiratory infections.
In more serious situations, coughing and refusal to eat can signal a larger systemic illness affecting the lungs, heart, or immune system, making early recognition and care especially important.
Dog Hacking Cough and Not Eating: Common Causes
Pneumonia
Pneumonia causes inflammation and infection within the lungs, making breathing harder and often triggering a deep, wet, or productive cough.
Dogs may hack repeatedly as they try to clear fluid or mucus from their airways, and these coughing episodes can be frequent and exhausting. Pneumonia may be bacterial, viral, or aspiration-based, and all forms make dogs feel acutely unwell.
A dog with pneumonia often won’t eat because they feel feverish, weak, and uncomfortable.
Breathing issues also reduce appetite because eating requires coordination between swallowing and airway control, which becomes difficult when the lungs are struggling.
Some dogs will approach the food bowl but walk away because they simply don’t have the energy to eat.
Loss of appetite in pneumonia is especially concerning because dogs need adequate hydration and energy to fight infection.
When coughing and not eating occur together, it can signal moderate to severe illness requiring prompt veterinary care.
Read more: Dog Hacking and Throwing Up (Why it happens)
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of the most common reasons for a dog to develop a hacking, honking cough.
The infection irritates the trachea and upper airways, leading to repeated, forceful coughing fits that can sound like the dog is trying to clear something stuck in their throat.
These coughs can be so intense that they cause gagging, retching, or even small amounts of foam.
When a dog with kennel cough stops eating, it’s often because their throat is sore, swallowing feels uncomfortable, or they feel under the weather from fever and fatigue. Some dogs also become mildly nauseous from repeated coughing.
While mild cases can resolve with supportive care, loss of appetite can slow recovery and increase the risk of complications like pneumonia.
Kennel cough becomes more serious when paired with appetite loss, lethargy, nasal discharge, or difficulty breathing. These signs indicate that the infection may be worsening, spreading to the lungs, or causing more systemic illness.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can cause a persistent hacking cough when fluid begins to build around the lungs or when an enlarged heart presses against the airways.
This cough is usually chronic, dry, and worsens at night or after activity. Dogs with heart issues may cough in short bursts or longer fits depending on the stage of disease.
Appetite loss happens because heart problems often cause nausea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and eventually difficulty breathing.
When the body is diverting energy to maintain basic cardiovascular function, eating becomes less of a priority. Dogs may also refuse food because they feel bloated or unsettled from fluid retention.
Coughing combined with not eating is a warning sign that heart disease may be advancing. This combination indicates the dog is not compensating well and may need medication adjustments, oxygen support, or diagnostic testing to stabilize their condition.
Collapsed Trachea
A collapsing trachea interrupts airflow and creates a sharp, goose-honk cough that worsens with excitement, pressure on the neck, or warm weather.
Dogs with this condition often cough in repeated bursts that sound like they are trying to clear their throat. Small breeds such as Yorkies, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas are especially prone.
Dogs with a collapsing trachea may stop eating because swallowing becomes uncomfortable or because coughing fits interfere with mealtime.
Many dogs try to eat but begin coughing the moment they bend their head toward the bowl. Anxiety surrounding the cough can also reduce appetite.
While collapse can be chronic, not eating signals increased irritation, inflammation, or strain on the airway. It may indicate the condition is progressing, or complications like airway inflammation or infection are developing.
Foreign Object or Throat Irritation
Something as small as a grass awn, seed, or piece of debris can lodge in a dog’s throat and cause a sudden, persistent hacking cough.
Dogs may repeatedly gag, swallow, or retch as if trying to dislodge something. This irritation can make every swallow painful or uncomfortable.
A dog that has something stuck in the throat or upper airway often refuses to eat because chewing and swallowing worsen the irritation.
They may approach the bowl, sniff the food, and back away. In some cases, dogs will drool excessively, paw at their mouth, or show signs of distress.
Foreign material is especially dangerous when it interferes with breathing or risks becoming embedded deeper in the airway. Appetite loss tells you the discomfort is significant and potentially urgent.
Severe Throat or Tonsil Inflammation
Inflammation of the throat, tonsils, or larynx can cause repeated hacking as the dog attempts to clear mucus or irritation. These dogs often swallow frequently, gulp, or act like something is caught even when nothing is physically stuck.
Eating becomes painful when the throat is inflamed. Dogs may refuse kibble, chew slowly, or only accept soft foods.
Fever and general malaise may further reduce appetite. Owners sometimes mistake tonsil inflammation for kennel cough, but lack of appetite is often more pronounced in throat conditions.
Throat inflammation is serious when coughing intensifies, breathing becomes noisy, or the dog completely stops eating. This can indicate infection, abscess formation, or significant swelling that needs prompt treatment.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Hacking and Not Eating
When your dog has a hacking cough and won’t eat, begin by keeping them calm and comfortable. Excitement and activity can worsen coughing fits, so a quiet environment helps reduce irritation.
Offer fresh water frequently and consider elevating their bowls to make swallowing easier, especially if bending down worsens the cough.
You can try offering soft, aromatic foods such as boiled chicken, rice, wet dog food, or warmed meals, as these are easier to swallow and more appealing when a dog isn’t feeling well.
Some dogs respond to broth or lightly warmed food because the smell encourages interest. If your dog refuses all food, do not attempt to force-feed, as this can worsen coughing or trigger gagging.
Humidifying the air can help soothe irritated airways. Running a humidifier near your dog’s resting area or placing them in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes can ease coughing caused by dryness or inflammation.
However, this is only supportive care: persistent coughing and lack of appetite always deserve closer monitoring.
It’s important to avoid using human cough medicines or leftover prescriptions, as these can be unsafe and mask symptoms without treating the cause.
If the cough lasts more than a day or two, if your dog continues to refuse food, or if they seem weak or distressed, veterinary evaluation is recommended.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should contact your vet promptly if your dog’s hacking cough is constant, worsening, or paired with complete refusal to eat. A dog that hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours, especially while coughing, may be dehydrated, fatigued, or fighting a significant infection.
Seek urgent veterinary care if your dog has difficulty breathing, breathing faster than normal, or showing signs of distress such as open-mouth breathing or blue-tinged gums. These signs may indicate pneumonia, heart disease complications, or airway obstruction.
If your dog produces foam, blood, or thick mucus during coughing fits, this warrants immediate attention. Likewise, sudden onset of coughing paired with choking behavior or panic could indicate something stuck in the throat.
Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with chronic conditions like heart disease should be seen sooner, as they are more vulnerable to rapid decline when coughing and not eating.
Read more: Dog Constantly Hacking (When to worry)
Related: Dog keeps hacking like something is in the throat (What it means)
Key Takeaway
A dog hacking cough and not eating is a combination that should never be ignored, because it often signals meaningful discomfort or illness—either in the airways, lungs, or heart.
While supportive care at home can help soothe mild cases, appetite loss is your early warning that your dog is feeling too unwell to eat normally.
Paying attention to changes in breathing, behavior, and energy will help you determine whether veterinary evaluation is needed. With timely care and careful monitoring, most dogs recover well and return to their usual appetite and activity.