- Why Dogs Sneeze
- November 27, 2021
Why Is My Dog Sneezing So Much?
7 Simple Explanations
Seeing your pup sneeze can be undeniably adorable, but is it a cause for concern?
Similarly to humans, dogs can sneeze in response to a simple tickle in the nose, when they are about to get sick, and more.
With countless possible reasons behind it, figuring out why your dog is sneezing so much can get tricky.
Luckily, at Top Dog Resource, we are ready to help you differentiate when a sneeze indicates a serious problem, and when a sneeze is nothing more than a sneeze.
Why Does My Dog Keep Sneezing?
7 Reasons to Consider
If you are wondering why your dog is sneezing so much, you are not alone.
Dog sneezing is an incredibly common occurrence: most dogs sneeze in response to an environmental irritant in their airways, such as a household chemical spray or simple dust.
Dogs could also sneeze if there is a minor foreign object stuck in their nasal passages — for example, if some dirt has gotten into the pup’s nose while they were digging the ground.
However, there are other potential explanations behind a regular sneeze, from the brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, to nasal infections, to seasonal allergies.
Below, you will find a list of the most common reasons behind dog sneezing that will help you uncover the mystery and understand what to do next.
1. Irritants and Foreign Objects
Environmental irritants such as hairspray, perfume, aerosols, and household cleaners aren’t great for sensitive dog noses and can cause sneezing.
When spraying things like air freshener around your home, be aware of your surroundings and do your best not to spray anything around your four-legged friend.
In addition, dog sneezing can be attributed to a small foreign object being stuck in their nasal passage.
Perhaps, your pooch was sniffing everything in sight (as dogs typically do!) and accidentally inhaled a clump of soil or a blade of grass. Or, maybe, an annoying little bug got into his nose, as they were running around the yard.
Whatever the case, sneezing is a natural response of your dog’s body to dislodge the foreign object and relieve the pup of that nagging tingle.
If you notice your dog sneezing excessively and pawing at their snout, this could mean that something got stuck in it, and sneezing failed to expel the object.
If the pawing continues, take your pup to the vet to have their nasal passage professionally examined.
2. Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can get allergies, characterized by itchy skin and upper respiratory symptoms.
If your dog sneezes a lot during spring or around certain plants, they could have seasonal allergies.
The good news is that there are medications available to help relieve the annoying symptoms of any of your pet’s allergies.
If the symptoms are severe enough, your vet might even recommend immunotherapy treatments. This involves drawing a blood sample from your pet and sending it off to a lab to be tested for environmental allergens, such as mold spores, grass pollen, dust mites, and even fleas.
Once the lab has identified what specifically your pup is allergic to, they can create immunotherapy injections or sublingual drops to help condition the immune system to not react to these allergens.
3. Play Sneezing
Do you ever notice your dog sneezing when excited or playing with other dogs?
This is called a “play sneeze,” which can be explained by your dog’s mood and behaviour rather than their health.
Play sneezing is absolutely nothing to be concerned about — in fact, it is a positive indication that your pooch is happy.
Dogs often sneeze while playing to send a calming signal to other dogs, indicating that they are having fun and their play style should not be misunderstood as aggression.
In a nutshell, they are saying, “Hey, I’m just playing! This isn’t a real fight.”
Do you ever notice your dog sneezing when excited or playing with other dogs?
This is called a “play sneeze,” which can be explained by your dog’s mood and behaviour rather than their health.
Play sneezing is absolutely nothing to be concerned about, – in fact, it is a positive indication that your pooch is happy.
Dogs often sneeze while playing to send a calming signal to other dogs indicating that they are having fun and their play style should not be misunderstood as aggression.
In a nutshell, they are saying, “Hey, I’m just playing! It isn’t a real fight.”
4. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
Brachycephalic breeds, such as pups with “pushed-in” faces like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs, are more prone to sneezing, due to the physiology of their muzzles.
If you see your brachycephalic breed sneezing and wheezing all the time, this could indicate a brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS), characterized by compressed nasal passages that are inherent in their skull structure.
In this case, sneezing is only one one of many symptoms commonly associated with BAOS.
5. Nasal Infection
One potential reason for why your dog is sneezing so much could be a fungal nasal infection called Aspergillosis.
This type of infection can develop when your dog inhales a certain species of mold found in hay, grass, and dust.
Other symptoms:
In addition to sneezing, symptoms can include
- nasal pain,
- nose bleeds,
- a runny nose,
- nose swelling,
- nasal discharge, and
- reduced appetite.
Another nasal infection responsible for excessive sneezing could be sinusitis. With this condition, both the interior nasal passage and the dog’s nose itself get severely inflamed.
Luckily, nasal infections can be successfully treated with antifungal medicine or antibiotics.
If you suspect a nasal infection based on these symptoms, contact your vet right away.
6. Nasal Mites
Another possible reason behind why your dog is sneezing so much is nasal mites.
If you notice your pooch suffering from
- nasal discharge,
- labored breathing,
- nose bleeds,
- facial itching, or
- head shaking;
Nasal mites could be to blame. These tiny bugs can take up residence in the animal’s nasal passages and continue breeding, leading to significant discomfort for your dog.
Nasal mites spread through the nose-to-nose contact between dogs and are highly contagious.
They require treatment with topical or oral medication, so make sure to take your pup to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect mites.
7. Nasal Tumors
Older dogs and long-nosed breeds such as Great Danes, Collies, and Dachshunds are susceptible to nasal tumors, which make up approximately 1-2% of all canine cancers.
Nasal tumors in dogs are a serious disease, requiring continuous medical attention. If left untreated, this type of cancer can destroy the underlying bone tissue and even affect the brain.
Other symptoms:
In addition to dog sneezing, nasal tumor symptoms include
- noisy breathing,
- coughing,
- bloody nasal discharge,
- difficulty breathing through the noise, and
- facial swelling.
If you notice your pup displaying any of these symptoms, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
The tumor can be identified and diagnosed by using imaging technology such a CT scan, X-ray, or MRI.
Older dogs and long-nosed breeds such as Great Danes, Collies, and Dachshunds are susceptible to nasal tumors, which make up approximately 1-2% of all canine cancers.
Nasal tumors in dogs are a serious disease, requiring continuous medical attention. If left untreated, this type of cancer can destroy the underlying bone tissue and even affect the brain.
Other symptoms:
In addition to dog sneezing, nasal tumor symptoms include
- noisy breathing, coughing,
- bloody nasal discharge,
- difficulty breathing through the noise, and
- facial swelling.
If you notice your pup displaying any of these symptoms, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
The tumor can be identified and diagnosed by using imaging technology such a CT scan, X-ray, or MRI.
Sneezing vs. Reverse Sneezing
Sometimes, you might notice your dog making a “snorking” sound, by forcefully and rapidly inhaling air through their nose.
This is known as a “reverse sneeze,” — unlike with a real sneeze when air is being aggressively pushed out of the nose, a reverse sneeze occurs when air is being sucked in.
Dogs would typically “snork” loundly, several times in a row for 15-30 seconds, in an attempt to get rid of something irritating their nasopharynx, which lies above the soft palate and behind the nasal cavities.
While the act of reverse sneezing can be concerning to witness, it is completely normal and not harmful to the dog.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Keeps Sneezing
The treatment for your pup’s sneezing can vary depending on the underlying cause.
Keep in mind that some sneezing is normal, such as during scent work or play with other dogs.
Other times, your dog might be sneezing so much due to a wide variety of health conditions. As such, it is not advisable to try to stop sneezing with any at-home remedies.
When to Visit a Vet
Should you get concerned about your pup’s sneezing if it becomes violent or excessive, make sure to consult your vet right away.
Some common symptoms that come in conjunction with sneezing and warrant a visit to the veterinarian include:
- Changes in behaviour or activity level
- Changes in appetite
- Coughing
- Nasal discharge, especially if it’s yellow or green
- Fever
- Runny or dull-looking eyes
Make sure to share all the information on your pet’s symptoms with the vet prior to the visit.
Based on the symptoms, your vet might recommend that you leave your pup in the car right until the scheduled appointment time to avoid exposing other dogs to any contagious illnesses.
Potential Treatment Options
Your veterinarian may prescribe allergy medications if they suspect that your dog’s sneezing is due to an environmental allergen, or an antibiotic if they suspect an upper respiratory infection.
For example, prednisone is a common corticosteroid prescribed to suppress the dog’s immune system’s response to allergens.
Make sure to inform your vet of any current medications your dog is taking, as certain medications absolutely cannot be given together with prednisone.
Wrapping Up
Understandably, figuring out why your dog is sneezing so much can be challenging.
Luckily, learning about the different types of dog sneezes and the reasons behind them can help you to distinguish when a sneeze signals a more serious issue, and when it is just a part of normal dog behaviour.
Nevertheless, nobody knows your pup better than you — so, if something doesn’t seem right, make a quick call to the vet to stay on the safe side.
