Dogs

18 Signs That Your Dog Is Choking

On Jul 09, 2025

Dogs love to eat, and when they are given their favorite food, they can eat in a hurry. It is pleasant to watch them eat; however, it can be a problem if they choke.

While choking can be normal, it can still be dangerous if this continues for a long time. You need to be cautious if they are coughing or are having a hard time breathing when they are eating or drinking or in any other situation. Let's discuss about 18 ways that they are choking.

1. Pawing At The Mouth

If your dogs are pawing at the mouth for a long time and often, it can be one of the common signs that something is wrong with their mouth or throat. They may be trying to remove that uncomfortableness from their mouth.

When they are doing so, they may be choking on a foreign object like food, a small toy, etc. This action reflects that they are having difficulty in their throat and trying to take out that discomfort or blockage.

You can check their mouth, observe, and seek help if you feel like the condition is getting worse. Even if you manage to take the object away, it is still good to visit a vet and ensure no damage was done to the mouth or throat.

2. Gagging

Gagging is a forceful action that is often repeated which resembles vomiting but without expelling much. It is a reflexive action where the dogs attempts to clear something from their throat.

If there is something stuck and they are choking, that time also gagging can be a sign. This is a response to their airways being particularly blocked. It can be dangerous if they are doing it for a long time.

You need to stay calm in this situation and observe their situation. If it is severe, you need to check their mouth and perform the first aid if necessary. You still need to take them to a vet if necessary.

3. Coughing

Coughing is the natural response of them when there is something uncomfortable in their mouth. It is a reflex to clear their throat or irritation in their lungs and take the obstruction in their airways.

This type of coughing is often sudden and intense because they try their best to get relief from the uncomfortableness. Its signs include sudden onset, forceful coughing, etc, which continues for a long time.

If you see this situation, you need to be aware and check their mouth to see if there is anything stuck. You can give them upward and inward thrusts. Stay calm in that situation and take them to the doctor.

4. Difficulty Breathing

When their airways are blocked with something, they can have a hard time breathing. This is one of the common signs of the problem. If their throat is fully or partially blocked by an object, at that time, they may have rapid or shallow breathing.

You might see that they are struggling to take in air which requires urgent attention. You should monitor them and need to give them immediate help to clear their air passage so that they can breathe normally.

If this continues for a long time, you should take them to the nearest clinic as soon as possible as it can be life-threatening. You should also see if they are showing other similar signs.

5. Pale Gums

Normally the gums of dogs are pinkish but if they are suddenly light pink or lighter in color, this can be a sign of them choking. If their airways are blocked, partially or fully, then there is not enough amount of oxygen flow in their blood which leads to pale gums.

When choking, their throat carries a foreign object that interrupts the air inside their body. This can be a serious problem if it continues for a long time.

Lack of oxygen can be a serious problem so if you notice this sign, especially combined with other similar reactions, you need to take them for a checkup. It is very important to react on time to clear the air passing path.

6. Drooling

Drooling is the process of dropping the saliva uncontrollably from their mouth which can be because of various reasons. When they are not able to breathe properly, in that situation also, they are more likely to drool.

If they start to drool suddenly, accompanied by other symptoms, it can be a sign of the mentioned problem. When their air paths are disturbed, they may produce excessive saliva and may not be able to swallow it normally.

It is often thick and continuous and sometimes, even mixed with blood if the foreign objects cause internal injury. It is important to have a thorough mouth checkup and to try to remove the uncomfortable object.

7. Anxious

Anxiety can be a sign of them being choked by something as they will have difficulty breathing. In that situation, they often experience intense discomfort and panic. They may become restless, and look at you with wide eyes to seek for help.

If they seem to appear unstable and are unable to settle down, it can be because they are having internal difficulties in their mouth or throat which can become a serious issue. They may also show fear along with trembling or shaking.

When they suddenly become anxious and are showing other symptoms, it is important to provide them an immediate attention. You need to look after their condition and take them to a doctor.

8. Rubbing Face On The Ground

Normally dogs don't do this, but if you see them rubbing their face on the ground, it may indicate a sign of something stuck in their mouth or throat. When there is something stuck inside them, they might try to take it out by doing this action.

This is a sign of discomfort and their attempt to clear the obstruction. If you see them suddenly doing this action, you can try to check their face and mouth to see any visible objects.

If they struggle and this continues for a long time, you need to take them to a doctor so that they can find out the underlying cause and help them to feel better.

9. Weakness

Weakness can be a serious sign of choking because when the airways are blocked, they don't have enough oxygen for their body. This leads them to feel weak and lethargic, as their organs are not receiving the ample amount of oxygen they need.

This may include struggle to stand, unsteady movement, and sometimes even collapse. This is an urgent sign that needs attention as soon as possible to clear their throat.

If your dogs suddenly become weak and show other signs, you need to look after their behavior and try to clear their mouth with inward and upward thrust. If this doesn't work, you should take them to a vet.

10. Whistling Sound

A whistling sound from your dogs while breathing can indicate that they are having difficulty breathing or there is something choked inside them. This sound is often called wheezing which occurs when the air passage is partially blocked.

The blockage causes the air passing to create a high-pitched whistling noise, especially when they inhale the oxygen. It is an indicator that they are struggling to breath properly.

If you see this sudden change in them, you need to be aware and need to check them to see if there are any visible objects and ensure they are safe. If this continues for a long time, you need to take them for a scan.

11. Extended Neck

Normally dogs don't extend their neck but if they are doing so, you need to look after their other signs because this can be caused because they are having some discomfort in their neck, or something is stuck there.

When their airway is blocked, they try to open the path by stretching their neck and head so that they can breatheg more easily. This posture helps them to reduce the pressure on their throat and helps them to draw more air.

If you see them doing this posture suddenly and from time to time, you need to check on them. If this continues for a long time, take them to see a doctor.

12. Open Mouth Breathing

Open-mouth breathing is a way of making it easier to take the air in when they are having difficulty while doing so. This can be a sign that their air passage will be blocked and they cannot breathe properly.

Unlike normal panting, this action is often associated with cooling down and opening their mouth to breathe the air as they are also more panicked. This may be a clear indication that there is something stuck inside their neck.

If you see open-mouth breathing for a long time, you should take them to a nearby clinic and ask for help. This type of medical emergency can also threaten their life.

13. Vomiting

When they are having difficulty difficulty and if they feel like something is stuck in their throat, they will try to minimize that uneasiness by trying to vomit. It can be one of the signs of this problem.

If there are some objects stuck inside their mouth or nose, they try to expel them. It is their body's natural reaction to attempt to clear the airways by forcefully removing the particles that are acting as obstructions.

Vomiting in this scenario will be sudden and can be accompanied by a serious cough. If they suddenly vomit and show signs of choking, you need to take them for treatment.

14. Unusual Vocal Sound

If you hear unusual vocal sounds, this can be because of some problem with their mouth or inner body. This is also a sign of them having something stuck inside and having difficulty breathing.

Unusual vocal sounds like high-pitched squeaks, strained whines, or changes in their normal barking tone can be a sign of them choking. When their airways are partially blocked, they cannot produce their regular normal sound, which leads to this action.

If you notice the changes in their voice, you need to carefully watch their actions and if this continues for a long time you need to see if something is wrong with their air tract or internal path.

15. Silent

Dogs are known for being energetic and playing around but if you suddenly see them being silent, you need to see the noticeable changes. Their silence can be the invisible discomfort they are facing internally.

If their silence is followed by a cough, unusual sounds, or vocalization, it can be a sign of them suffering from choking. They may appear packed with wide eyes and an open mouth as they try to figure out how to take in more air.

When they are suddenly silent for a long time and seem serious, you should examine them and take them for a checkup.

16. Refuse To Eat

Since dogs love to eat, if they suddenly refuse, you should notice their behavior. If they are having difficulty breathing, or something is stuck inside their food pipe, they time also, seem to refuse to eat.

The discomfort and pain they are facing can be the reason they don't want to eat. Even if the choking was not severe or after the object is taken out, still they may refuse to eat because of the lingering pain and irritation inside their mouth.

If the object is taken out and they are still refusing, you need to give them time to get normal and see the changes. If this is not getting better, you should choose to consult an expert.

17. Rapid Heart Rate

Sometimes, a rapid heart rate can also be a sign of this problem because when there is no sufficient oxygen in the body, the heartbeat increases. This is a natural response of their body during emergencies.

This case is also known as tachycardia and can be dangerous if they also show other signs of choking for a long time. If the heart rate of their body is increasing rapidly, you need to be aware.

If the rapid heart rate continues to increase and their condition worsens, you should seek emergency veterinarian care as it can lead to a life-threatening condition.

18. Bulging Eyes

Bulging eyes is a condition where the eyes of the dogs come or appear to be outside from their natural position. If they are suffering from choking, they can also have this sign as they may be struggling with breathing.

The unseen pressure in their body makes their eyes appear outside their space. This can also be because of the affected blood flow and muscles around the eyes.

If you notice their eyes are bulging and there are also other signs, you need to act immediately. You should check their mouth and throat and if you see that it is not under your control, you need to take them to the hospital.