Why Does My Dog Keep Choking on Nothing: Is It Concerning?

Does your dog seem to show choking symptoms without really choking on anything? Well, clearly, this isn’t normal. It can be a small sneezing or hiccup issue, or it can also be something concerning. Hence, if it happens repetitively, you shouldn’t ignore it. 

This article will help you understand why dogs show these types of symptoms and when it should be concerning. So, let’s not waste time and dive in.

10 Reasons Dogs Keep Choking on Nothing

Choking tendency within dogs takes place due to several reasons and health conditions. The ten most common causes for this symptom are noted down below:

1. Reverse Sneezing

In some breeds of dogs, a common way of sneezing is reverse sneezing. As the name suggests, when dogs reverse sneeze, they take in air from their nose rapidly and noisily, in contrast to regular sneezing where air is quickly exhaled with a noise. 

Reverse sneezing in dogs occurs when an irritant or dust in the dog's throat makes it spasm. Such irritation can be triggered by foreign particles, post-nasal drainage, sudden changes in weather or temperature, exercise, excitement, or a tight collar. If reverse sneezing becomes too frequent, it can be a symptom of another health issue and require a vet consultation.

2. Kennel Cough

During the change of seasons, dogs often develop a respiratory disease called Kennel Cough. It is a contagious disease and requires isolation of the one who is affected. The most identifiable symptoms of Kennel Cough are dry coughing, hacking coughing, and nasal discharge. 

However, sometimes, in the initial stages of the disease, dry coughing tendencies in the dog can make it look like it's choking. If you suspect your dog has Kennel Cough, isolate it from other dogs and take it to the vet for medical examination.

3. Collapsed Trachea

Tracheal collapse is a common phenomenon in smaller breeds of dogs and older dogs. The trachea is the long tube that carries air for respiration from the throat to the lungs. There are ring-shaped cartilages that hold the tube-like shape of the trachea. When these cartilages break down due to aging or pressure, they narrow the dog’s airways, making it choke.

Tracheal collapse can also happen if your dog continuously wears a leash or belt with a slightly heavy hanging bell or tag. Remember that something that isn’t very heavy to you might still be heavy for your dog’s neck to handle. 

If your dog goes through a collapsed trachea, it will require an immediate checkup from medical professionals. A severe tracheal collapse might even need a surgical procedure for treatment. So, if your dog has been showing the choking symptom for quite a while now, consult a vet immediately.

4. Pharyngitis or Tonsillitis

Both pharyngitis and tonsillitis are medical issues that obstruct the dog's airways. In pharyngitis, the throat is infected and inflamed, whereas in tonsillitis, the tonsils are infected and inflamed. The swollen tonsils or pharynx reduce the space for air passage within the dog's throat, which interferes with the dog’s regular breathing.

If your dog has already been diagnosed with pharyngitis or tonsillitis, this can be the reason it shows choking symptoms. However, if your dog hasn’t been diagnosed with these infections but you suspect they have it, consult a vet as soon as possible.

5. Foreign Object in the Throat

Are you sure your dog is choking on nothing? It’s possibly swallowed something too small for you to notice yet big enough to get stuck in its throat. And so, now that it blocked its airway, it’s dry heaving to get it out. 

Look and, if necessary, feel down their throat. See if anything is visible or accessible. Sometimes, something might get stuck very deep in the throat, making it difficult to access manually. That would be considered a medical emergency, and the dog must immediately be taken to the nearby emergency vet for extraction.

6. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acid reflux can be a possible reason for your dog to act as if it's choking. It happens when the stomach acid flows back to the esophagus, blocking the airways. It makes the dog dry and heave due to difficulty in breathing and constant discomfort and pain in the chest area.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a more serious form of acid reflux that lasts several days and causes more complications over time. A simple case of acid reflux can be the beginning of GERD. Therefore, it should be dealt with importance. Hence, if you suspect your dog has acid reflux, take it to the nearby emergency vet as soon as possible.

7. Heart Disease

If your dog is a bit older, it might have a chance of building a heart disease. Many times, massive chest pain makes the dog heave. Development of heart disease also interferes with the dog’s breathing. In many cases, fluid accumulation in the lungs blocks the airways and makes them feel like choking.

A disease called Heartworm disease hampers proper heart function and causes the lungs to inflame. The inflammation hinders adequate air intake, causing the dog to choke. 

Even if your dog hasn’t been diagnosed with a heart disease, there’s nothing wrong with having a check-up to be on the safer side. Especially if your dog is aged, you should take it for heart nd overall medical check-ups more often.

8. Allergies or Irritants

Is there any possibility that your dog has inhaled any allergens or irritants? If your dog played outdoors right before showing the choking signs, it might have inhaled airborne allergens like pollen or dust. 

If not, check if it came in contact with any item that might trigger an allergic reaction. This can be any food, medication, insect bite, or vaccination. Some allergies that cause breathing issues, such as anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening. However, mild allergies can be controlled with antihistamines and other allergy medications. 

Either way, if you think your dog’s behavior could be a response to an allergic reaction, you must take it to a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. 

9. Nasal or Sinus Issues

Nasal and sinus infections, medically termed Rhinitis and Sinusitis, respectively, can block your dog’s nasal passage, leading to breathing problems. Many times, your dog might develop these infections after catching a cold and having a blocked nasal passage for a long time.

These issues require medical attention. If suspected, the pet owner should consult a vet for the necessary treatment and relief options.

10. Excitement or Anxiety

Have you ever choked out of excitement, fear, or anxiety? Guess it happens with your pup, too. Extreme emotions often trigger breathlessness. So, if something happened recently that made your dog super excited, anxious, scared, or traumatized, this can be a reaction to that as well.

If this is the cause, try to make your dog feel calm and relieved. In the case of anxiety or fear, help your dog feel protected and cared for. You can also seek assistance from animal behavior specialists in this regard.

What to Do & When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care?

You must take your pup to the vet if the choking behavior lasts too long. If you’ve spent hours trying to find the cause behind your dog’s choking, don’t waste more time. Take it to the vet and let the professionals handle the situation. 

Always remember that every second wasted can be costly during a medical emergency. So, think fast and take quick actions. If possible, you can take a video of your dog choking and send it to your vet for quick advice. 

Along with the choking signs, look for other symptoms. If you observe your dog’s mouth becoming bluish, it should be a concern. Clearly note all the symptoms in your head and precisely explain everything to your vet.

However, if the choking action seems to be a one-time thing and your dog doesn’t experience any other symptoms or discomfort after that, you can skip going to the vet for the moment.

Final Thoughts

Don’t hold back when it comes to the health and well-being of your pet. Extra precaution is always better. So, even if it doesn’t seem serious, an overall check-up wouldn’t harm anyone. Most of the time, from the outside, it’s hard to understand how your dog is feeling inside. You might not even realize it, but your dog might not feel well inside.

You wouldn’t want your pup to suffer, would you? So, be prompt and wise.