What this means
Trouble swallowing is noticed during eating and drinking. A dog may hold a mouthful in its mouth for a long time, chew several times, drop food and pick it up again, jerk its head back and forth, gag, cough or snap its teeth. Sometimes saliva runs from the mouth, or food falls out or comes back up. Some dogs eat more slowly than before or begin to avoid harder food.
Swallowing is a complex act involving the mouth, throat, gullet and many muscles and nerves. The problem may lie in the mouth, the throat or the gullet, and sometimes muscle weakness is behind it. A dog that swallows with difficulty risks breathing in food or liquid, which then causes coughing or breathing trouble. Only a vet can find the cause.
Note down when the trouble began, whether it happens with hard food, liquid or both, and whether your dog coughs or gags while swallowing. Notice whether the voice has changed, whether your dog is losing weight, whether the back legs are weakening, and whether the skin or the face muscles have changed. Do not try to put your fingers down your dog's throat.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Pain or damage in the mouth
Sore teeth, gums or wounds in the mouth can make chewing and swallowing unpleasant. The dog may hold its head oddly and drool.
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A foreign object in the mouth or throat
A piece of bone or another object can lodge and get in the way of swallowing. The dog may gag often, snap its teeth or paw at its neck.
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Muscle weakness or inflammation
When the muscles for chewing and swallowing weaken or become inflamed, a mouthful is pushed down with difficulty. Muscle wasting or skin changes may go with it.
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A nervous system disorder
The nerves that control swallowing may work less well, especially in progressive nerve or muscle diseases. The legs often weaken as well.
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A problem of the gullet
If the gullet does not move food on to the stomach, the dog may cough up or bring back undigested food soon after eating. This carries a risk of breathing in food.
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A problem of the throat or voice box
Changes in the voice box can make swallowing hard and change the voice. The dog may cough when eating or drinking.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When the trouble began and whether it is getting worse
- Whether hard food, liquid or both are hard to swallow
- Whether your dog gags, coughs or brings food up while eating
- Whether saliva runs from the mouth or food comes back
- Whether the voice or the bark has changed
- Whether your dog is losing weight or its legs are weakening
When to book a routine visit
If your dog repeatedly gags, coughs when eating or cannot swallow, see a vet promptly, because food or liquid can enter the airway. Say when it began and what else you have noticed.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Degenerative myopathy Nerves and muscles Degenerative myopathy is an inherited muscle disease in which muscle fibres gradually waste away and weaken. Because it affects more than one group of muscles, a dog may in time find it harder to walk, keep up with exercise and sometimes even to swallow. It progresses slowly, and whether weakness comes from it is for a vet to determine.
- Dermatomyositis Skin and coat Dermatomyositis is an inherited inflammatory disease that affects the skin and sometimes the muscles. Its signs can appear at a young age, and it can range from barely noticeable skin changes to muscle wasting that makes eating and swallowing difficult. Damaged skin can leave lasting scars and bald patches.
- Rabies Infections Rabies is a viral disease of the nervous system that a dog catches when it is bitten by an infected animal. It is dangerous to animals and to people alike. If your dog has been bitten by a wild or unknown animal, or its behaviour has changed so suddenly that you suspect rabies, phone a vet immediately.
Body systems: Nerves and muscles Skin and coat Infections