When a dog has a hacking cough and is throwing up, it can be alarming. These symptoms often appear suddenly, and because they involve both the respiratory and digestive systems, they can indicate anything from mild irritation to serious illness.
We outline the common causes of a hacking cough accompanied by vomiting in dogs, how you can help at home, and when it’s important to seek veterinary care.
Dog Hacking Cough and Throwing Up: Why It Happens
A dog hacking cough paired with vomiting typically happens when something irritates the throat, affects the airways, or triggers gagging that leads to stomach upset.
Conditions like kennel cough, throat irritation, allergies, respiratory infections, or even foreign objects can cause dogs to cough repeatedly until they vomit. Dogs may also throw up because intense coughing activates the gag reflex.
Since both symptoms can point to infections, inflammation, or physical obstructions, identifying the underlying cause quickly is important for keeping your dog safe and comfortable.
Dog Hacking Cough and Throwing Up: Common Causes
Throat or Airway Irritation
Irritation in the throat, trachea, or upper airways can make a dog cough repeatedly until they vomit. This can happen after pulling on a collar, swallowing dust, inhaling smoke, or reacting to strong odors.
Even minor irritation can quickly escalate when the dog coughs hard enough to upset the stomach.
You may notice increased swallowing, throat clearing, restlessness, or hesitating to eat dry kibble.
Throat irritation is usually manageable, but ongoing coughing should be evaluated because it can mask more serious respiratory conditions.
Read more: Dog Has Hacking Coughing With White Foam (What It Really Means)
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is one of the most common reasons a dog develops a hacking, honking cough that may lead to vomiting. The forceful cough irritates the throat and triggers the gag reflex, which can cause dogs to spit up foam, mucus, or even food.
This highly contagious bacterial or viral infection spreads easily in places like groomers, daycares, dog parks, and boarding facilities. You may also notice a dry, loud cough, runny nose, and poor appetite.
While mild cases can resolve with rest, severe cases or those involving puppies, seniors, or dogs with weak immune systems can lead to pneumonia and require prompt treatment.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections such as canine influenza, pneumonia, or bronchitis often cause coughing severe enough to induce vomiting.
When the airways are inflamed, mucus buildup can trigger gagging, and dogs may bring up phlegm or stomach fluid.
Signs such as fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, or fast breathing often accompany the cough.
These conditions can become serious quickly, especially in young, old, or immunocompromised dogs, and require veterinary care to prevent complications.
Allergies or Environmental Triggers
Dogs with allergies may cough due to airway inflammation caused by pollen, dust mites, mold, perfumes, or cleaning products. Persistent coughing can irritate the throat and cause vomiting.
Other signs may include itchy skin, watery eyes, sneezing, or licking the paws. Although allergies are often manageable, the combination of coughing and vomiting suggests the dog may be reacting strongly to an allergen, and ongoing symptoms should be evaluated to prevent chronic airway irritation.
Heart Disease
Certain heart conditions, particularly congestive heart failure, can cause a chronic cough that becomes so intense it triggers vomiting.
Fluid buildup in or around the lungs restricts breathing, leading to coughing fits. Dogs may vomit from the force of coughing or from the nausea associated with reduced oxygen flow.
Symptoms can include fatigue, rapid breathing, restlessness at night, and reduced stamina on walks. Heart disease is serious and requires immediate veterinary evaluation to stabilize the dog and prevent sudden decline.
Parasites
Parasites that affect the heart or lungs can cause a deep, persistent cough that may lead to gagging or vomiting.
Heartworms obstruct blood flow and cause lung inflammation, while lungworms irritate the airways. Both can trigger coughing severe enough to cause stomach upset.
Signs may include weight loss, difficulty breathing, reduced appetite, or nasal discharge. Because these parasites can be life-threatening, early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
Foreign Object in Throat or Esophagus
A small object lodged in the throat, such as a piece of a toy, grass seed, stick, or bone fragment, can cause sudden hacking and vomiting.
Dogs may cough violently to try to expel the object, and the irritation often leads to gagging and throwing up.
Additional signs include pawing at the mouth, drooling, restlessness, or choking sounds. This is an emergency situation, and immediate veterinary attention is needed if you suspect a blockage.
Read more: Dog Constantly Hacking (What it means)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Hacking, Coughing and Throwing Up
Start by creating a calm, quiet environment and monitor how often your dog coughs or vomits. Offer plenty of fresh water, but do not force drinking if your dog seems nauseated. Allow your dog to rest and avoid strenuous activity until symptoms improve.
If your dog recently visited a grooming or boarding facility, consider kennel cough as a possibility, and limit exposure to other pets. You can also use a humidifier or allow your dog to rest in a steamy bathroom to help soothe irritated airways.
Avoid using collars during this time; instead, switch to a harness to prevent added pressure on the throat. Keep your home free of smoke, aerosols, and strong fragrances that can trigger coughing.
However, if vomiting persists, or if coughing becomes frequent, harsh, or productive, it’s important to have your dog examined. Many of the conditions linked to these symptoms require antibiotics, cough suppressants, parasite treatment, or other medical intervention.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care immediately if your dog continues to cough forcefully, vomits multiple times, or has trouble breathing. Breathing difficulties, pale gums, blue-tinged tongue, or collapsing are all emergency signs.
If your dog has recently been around other dogs and now has a hacking cough, you should contact your vet promptly to rule out kennel cough or infectious illness.
Vomiting combined with lethargy, refusal to eat, fever, or rapid breathing indicates a more serious condition such as pneumonia, heart disease, or parasitic infection. These problems worsen quickly without treatment, making early intervention essential.
If you suspect your dog may have swallowed a foreign object, seek immediate veterinary attention, especially if coughing is accompanied by choking or sudden distress.
Related: Dog keeps hacking up phlegm (Here’s why)
Key Takeaway
A dog hacking cough and throwing up can result from kennel cough, throat irritation, respiratory infections, allergies, heart disease, parasites, or even foreign objects. While some causes are mild, others are serious and require fast veterinary attention.
Monitor your dog closely, provide a calm environment, and avoid irritants while keeping track of how often the symptoms occur. If coughing or vomiting continues, worsens, or is accompanied by breathing problems or lethargy, contact your veterinarian right away.
Prompt action helps ensure your dog gets the care they need and returns to breathing comfortably and feeling well again.