Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving? Causes, Risks, and When to Call the Vet

“Why is my dog dry heaving?” is a question pet parents have probably asked themselves after hearing that unsettling sound coming out of the dog’s mouth. It’s almost like your dog is about to vomit, but nothing comes up.

Usually, the reason can be as simple as throat irritation or a bit of swallowed dust. Nothing to worry about. At other times, it can be a warning sign of serious conditions, such as bloat or respiratory problems. How can you tell the difference? You’ve come to the right place to learn. 

Key Takeaways:

• Maven Pet continuously tracks respiratory rate and activity, helping to detect problems early.
• Dry heaving is an effort to vomit without results.
• Nighttime episodes can be linked to airway problems, infections, or heart and lung problems.
• Bloat is a critical cause of repeated unproductive retching. 
• Emergency signs include breathing trouble, a swollen belly, and pale gums. 

Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving?

Your dog can be dry heaving (making movements as if to vomit, but nothing comes out) due to things such as: 

• Throat irritation
• Kennel cough or infections 
• Foreign object stuck in the throat 
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus) 
• Respiratory or heart disease 

When the situation is temporary and you haven’t noticed any other symptoms accompanying it, there’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if your dog continues to dry heave and starts struggling for breath, it could be a medical emergency and a sign that your dog might be sick and that needs to be dealt with immediately. 

Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving but Not Throwing Up?

When a dog is dry heaving but nothing comes out, it usually means the body is trying to clear the airway or the stomach, but is unable to. That gag reflex can just be caused by dust or swallowed grass, something mild that has irritated the throat. These episodes usually pass quickly, and there are no lasting effects on the dog’s health. 

But when dry heaving persists without vomit, it can mean that something needs to get out, and vomiting would probably fix the issue. When you don’t see that, it’s a cause for concern. 

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Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving at Night?

Nighttime dry heaving is caused by airway problems that usually get worse when a dog is resting or lying down, usually at night. As with all ailments, this one also worsens at night. 

Additionally, things such as a collapsing trachea can cause gagging and are reported to worsen at night. It is crucial to first understand what causes dry heaving, and then see if the condition is exacerbated during the night. 

Common Causes of Dry Heaving

Here are the most common causes of dry heaving in dogs, including the benevolent and malevolent ones: 

• Kennel cough and respiratory infections: Conditions like kennel cough or bronchitis can set the airways aflame, that is how difficult the inflammation can be for dogs. That, in turn, can cause gagging or attempts to vomit. The dry heave here is usually followed by coughing fits or other cold-like signs, so it can easily confuse pet owners. 
• A foreign object gets stuck: A piece of food, grass, or even part of a toy stuck in the throat or upper airway can make a dog heave repeatedly as it tries to dislodge the blockage. This can become dangerous if the airway is actually obstructed and nothing seems to get out. 
• Bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus): One of the most serious causes, bloat occurs when the stomach twists and traps gas inside. It can even stop breathing. The hallmark sign of this condition is unproductive retching that doesn’t produce anything, plus a swollen belly and restlessness. If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait. Get your pet to a vet now. 
• Heart and lung diseases: Problems such as heart failure, collapsing trachea, or lung disease can all mimic gagging or trigger dry heaving episodes.

Emergency Signs to Watch For

When the dry heaving doesn’t go away quickly, stay alert and look for these emergency signs that will tell you to get the dog to the vet immediately:

• Difficulty breathing or an obvious struggle to draw in air
• A swollen or firm stomach that appears to expand rapidly
• Blue, purple, or very pale gums, which indicate the dog needs oxygen
• Collapse, weakness, or sudden inability to stand
• Repeated unproductive retching that does not ease up
• Restlessness, pacing, or signs of severe distress

If any of these appear, do not wait. If it is bloat, it can be a life-threatening situation. 

How Vets Diagnose and Treat Dry Heaving

Vets begin by examining your dog and getting all the information from you about when the dry heaving takes place, how long it lasts, and other crucial details. Checking out the dog’s abdomen, gums, chest, and throat can tell them about potential bloat or objects stuck in the airways. These can be further confirmed by chest or abdominal X-rays, blood tests, or endoscopy. 

Treatment depends on the cause. Mild infections are usually treated with antibiotics, but things like bloat require surgery to untwist the stomach. 

“Occasional gagging can be harmless, but repeated dry heaving — especially with a bloated belly or breathing trouble — can signal a life-threatening emergency. When in doubt, seek veterinary care immediately.” – Carolina Domingues, DVM at Maven Pet

How the Maven Pet Health Monitor Helps Spot Nighttime or Behavioral Changes

We have seen that dry heaving can happen at night, or even get worse during that time when you could be asleep, too. This is where a pet health tracker can come in handy. It fills that gap by tracking your dog’s respiratory rate, rest, and activity continuously, even while you sleep. 

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All of this data is available in the market’s leading pet health app from Maven Pet. It allows you to see if retching episodes line up with restlessness, coughing, or other nighttime disturbances. Moreover, Maven’s AI analyzes the information to identify early warning signs. For example, if your dog’s respiratory rate at rest becomes fragmented by these dry heaving episodes or it’s normally steady, you can distinguish between a one-time thing or a persistent problem. 

Conclusion

When it goes away quickly, dry heaving is not that big of a deal. However, it can also warn of serious health problems like bloat, and that state can be deadly. Pet parents are more and more relying on dog health tracker apps like Maven Pet to track breathing and rest patterns continuously, even at night when it’s easy to miss the signs. 

Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.