Gag Reflexes In Dogs

[Danois]

Curious about gag reflexes in dogs.

Boo does something odd - when he has his nose down and is smelling an insect/ bug like a fly or a cockroach he gags.

I have no idea what causes him to do this as, as far as I can see, he is not actually touching the insect and he goes back several times so he is obviously not worried about gagging.

Anyone else got a dog that does this?

[korbin13]

Curious about gag reflexes in dogs.

Boo does something odd - when he has his nose down and is smelling an insect/ bug like a fly or a cockroach he gags.

I have no idea what causes him to do this as, as far as I can see, he is not actually touching the insect and he goes back several times so he is obviously not worried about gagging.

Anyone else got a dog that does this?

My mixed breed does this! First time she did I was doing some gardening and a cockroach ran out and I chopped in half with the shovel (reflex action, it's me or them!!) she then gagged. Funnily enough so did my son

Second time I noticed her playing with one out in the yard and she sniffed it and then gagged?? My staffordshire has no issues with them though. Strange behaviour

[Erny]

I would think this would relate more to something like an elongated palate (example only) that is causing the reaction - activated due to the angle of head/neck and the fact that the dogs are sniffing at the same time.