My 5 year old chihuahua/poodle suffers from a collapsed trachea. She is normally OK but she does have her fits. She has started choking on food or treats. She has not choked on her regular dog food that I know of but I am not always in the room when she eats. I know that people food is not the best for our four-legged friends, but I have shared Cheez-it's and Cheetos -her favorites- and she has choked on both of them. They aren't exactly hard things for her to eat and she has never choked on them before now. It seems to be a recurring thing and has happened at least 3 times in the past week alone. Could this be from the collapsed trachea? Is it something I should worry about. She usually gets a treat as I leave the house and I am worried now that she may choke and have a serious problem and I won't be there. Or that I can't help her even if I AM here. Any thoughts?
Thanks!!

Choking is also a symptom of rabies, which can be silent as well as the more common virulent, foaming at the mouth variety.
The collapsed trachea, it's like trying to swallow while holding your nose pinched closed. More difficult than it would normally be. If you feel your dog is suffering, get a vet's advice, maybe even make the decision to put her down. Also the types of food shaped like Cheerios, with a hole in the centers can be safer because if swallowed whole are less likely to obstruct the airway

Bring your dog to a vet if you are really concerned...

Having said that a collapsed trachea is apparent when your dog is sounding like she's trying to hurl up a piece of something in her throat and nothing comes up. It's when the trachea is closing so she needs to push air out to reopen.

If she's choking on those food items that you like to give she may have another type of condition. Try not giving her hard dry things to chew on. It might be safer to give her small moist treats, either made for dogs or perhaps something human like cheese..

Check to see if she chokes on moist and soft items as well... if she does then you might be dealing w/ the same thing I am with one of my dogs. She is unable to eat dry food as well... so I soak it. I won't take any chances w/ my girl... Anyhow, let me know how it goes... Good luck w/ her. Xo