But when your dog is sneezing uncontrollably for no apparent reason, there might be a more serious cause. If it’s an allergy or a foreign object blocking his nasal cavity, you can offer relief with over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal drops.
Sneezing can be common in dogs, but in some circumstances, you might wonder whether excessive sneezing should raise any red flags.
Dogs sneeze for a variety of reasons, so it’s crucial to distinguish between playful or communicative sneezing in dogs and sneezing as a sign of a more serious underlying health condition.
Here are some typical causes of canine sneezing, other warning signs to watch out for, what to do if your dog won’t stop, and when to take your dog to the vet.
Sneezing in your dog may occasionally be a sign of underlying environmental allergies. Along with other allergy symptoms like watery eyes or scratching and licking their fur due to itching, you might also notice sneezing.
Dogs frequently sneeze while playing as a sign of joy. Additionally, this notifies the other dog that they are engaging in play behavior. There is probably no need to be concerned if you notice your dog sneezing during a playdate and there are no other symptoms.
An intriguing phenomenon that typically results from excitement, irritants, or inflammation in dogs is reverse sneezing. Dogs will frequently and abruptly inhale through their noses, making a honking noise. When dogs reverse sneeze, it almost seems as though they are having trouble breathing. Petting your dog and calming them down usually resolves the behavior, despite how dramatic it may sound.
Some dogs may be sensitive to allergens like pollen or dust, which will make them sneeze. The tiny particles may become lodged in your dog’s pharynx or nasal passages, irritating them and causing your dog to sneeze. Candles with scent, perfume, air fresheners, smoke, or cleaning supplies are some additional common irritants.
Dogs occasionally experience severe irritability when a foreign object becomes lodged in their nasal passages. Blades of grass, foxtails, or sticks are examples of this type of material. You will notice constant sneezing and discomfort if this is the case because these objects are very upsetting.
Upper respiratory infections can cause dogs to sneeze. These can be bacterial or fungal in origin, and occasionally they may even come from an infected tooth root. You will typically notice additional symptoms, such as a bloody or mucoid discharge and lack of appetite, if your dog has an infection.
Small insects called nasal mites can severely irritate a dog’s nose. When dogs dig or rub their noses in dirt, they frequently contract them. Typically, in addition to frequent sneezing, you will notice a bloody or thick discharge coming from your dog’s nose as a result of the irritation and inflammation that these insects cause.
Nasal tumors are a potential source of sneezing in older dogs (typically those over the age of 7). Sneezing more frequently over time is a common symptom, and tumors may also result in bleeding from one side of the nose.
Key takeaway If your dog can’t stop sneezing, there can be several reasons why, including seasonal allergies, regular dog communication, dental problems, and serious health concerns like tumors. Sneezing is not a serious condition, but it can be a symptom of something more sinister.
Just like their human companions, dogs sneeze, and occasionally they can’t stop. If your dog has been sneezing for several minutes or has been doing so for several days, you might be wondering why they can’t stop. Your dog may be sneezing for a variety of reasons, including everything from seasonal allergies to having something stuck in their nose. Most of the time, this doesn’t raise any serious health issues, but if the sneezing continues, it may be a sign that something is wrong
Learn the possible causes of your dog’s sneezing before deciding to try to treat it, and speak with a veterinarian who can make an accurate diagnosis. The potential causes of your dog’s persistent sneezing are suggested in this article, along with some tips for making them feel a little better.
Dogs with food allergies are more common than most pet owners realize. Common food allergens include beef, dairy, chicken, and wheat. 1 Due to an inflammatory response in the body, food allergies can cause your pet to sneeze after eating. However, you can work with your veterinarian on an elimination diet to help identify the ingredient your dog is allergic to and avoid it to prevent sneezing in the future.
Food allergy elimination diets use novel protein diets. 1 Your veterinarian might recommend that your dog eat foods made from alligator, kangaroo, and rabbit instead of the regular proteins you’ll find in the pet section of the grocery store. It’s always important to visit your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has food allergies because these foods are typically a part of a veterinary diet that you’ll need a prescription for.
Itchy skin, hair loss, and digestive issues are typical signs of food allergies in dogs. However, your dog may also lose weight or become hyperactive. Sneezing is one of the less common symptoms of food allergies, but it can be brought on by them.
Your dog’s blood will be drawn by your veterinarian for a radioallergosorbent (RAST) test to determine what they are allergic to. However, your veterinarian may decide to use an elimination diet to determine if they are allergic to their food. Your dog will consume a strange protein for a few months, and you’ll keep an eye on their symptoms to see if they’ve improved or gotten worse. If symptoms do not subside, your veterinarian may advise a different food or order additional testing to determine whether your dog may be experiencing symptoms unrelated to food allergies.
Seasonal allergies are one of the most frequent causes of dogs’ incessant sneezing. Environmental allergens like pollen, mold, dander, and dust can cause uncontrollable sneezing. Seasonal allergies are common in both humans and dogs. Depending on the allergen, seasonal allergy symptoms can change. 2 Other symptoms of dog allergies include:
Your dog most likely has seasonal allergies if you notice dry coughing or wheezing in them at particular times of the year. However, if your dog has never wheezed before or is experiencing breathing difficulties, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Take your pet right away to the nearest emergency vet if it appears that they are having trouble breathing.
It can be challenging to determine which type of allergies your dog has at home because dogs can have skin allergies, food allergies, or both at the same time. Food allergies, on the other hand, persist as long as your dog eats the same food, whereas seasonal allergies typically worsen at a specific time of the year.
Veterinarians can diagnose seasonal allergies using a skin test that is similar to an allergy test. Your veterinarian may administer a specialized allergy shot to your dog depending on the severity of their allergic reaction. To alleviate their symptoms, however, most dogs are typically given an antihistamine during allergy season.
Despite this, avoid administering any sort of antihistamine to your dog without first consulting a veterinarian. Many veterinarians will advise you to give your dog Benadryl, but they can also instruct you on the proper dosage and frequency of administration. Always seek professional advice before attempting to treat your dog on your own for allergies as doing so can be harmful to them.
Do you ever play on the ground with your dog? Perhaps you play chase or you two play wrestle. Regardless of the games you play with your dog, they might sneeze at you while they’re having fun. Play sneezing is your dog’s way of communicating with you. The majority of experts agree that dogs pretend to sneeze in order to communicate to the person or animal they are playing with that they are only pretending and not trying to be aggressive.
Your dog may occasionally approach you and begin sneezing and playing in an effort to engage you in conversation. Usually, when play sneezing, your dog will sneeze once instead of repeatedly, but this will depend on your dog and its personality. Play sneezing is common, so if your dog is simply trying to signal that it’s time to play, there’s no need to be concerned about it.
Since play sneezing is your dog’s method of communication, it is usually harmless. You might even hear some sneezes from your dog when it comes to greet you when you get home from work because dogs can sneeze when they’re happy and excited.
All breeds, ages, and genders of dogs are susceptible to nasal mites. 3 Both direct and indirect contact between dogs can spread these mites, which are found in your dog’s sinuses and nasal passages, to other dogs. 3 Because they irritate and inflame the sinuses, nasal mites can cause your dog to sneeze uncontrollably. A bloody nasal discharge is a key indicator of canine nasal mites. 3 Nasal mites are uncommon, but medication for parasites can treat them.
It may be a sign that your dog has nasal mites if you see them sneezing or have a bloody nose. It’s best to have your dog treated by a qualified veterinarian right away because these mites can annoy your dog and spread to other dogs, particularly those in your home.
About 1 to 2% of all canine tumors are nasal tumors, though they tend to affect older dogs and men more frequently. Breeds with long or medium-sized noses are more susceptible to nasal tumors, the majority of which are cancerous. 4 It’s crucial to visit the vet right away if you think your dog has a nasal tumor because it can harm the lymph nodes, lungs, and brain and eventually result in death. 4.
Although not always present, frequent or uncontrollable sneezing is another symptom of nasal tumors. Typically, nasal tumors result in labored, challenging nasal breathing and a bloody discharge. Additionally, due to difficulty breathing through its nasal passageways, your dog may appear to be snorting instead of sneezing. Depending on their age, dogs with nasal tumors may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
One of the most typical causes of your dog’s persistent sneezing may be a nasal infection. Upper respiratory infections that commonly affect the nose, such as rhinitis and sinusitis, can also cause sinus inflammation. 5 Upper respiratory infections that cause uncontrollable sneezing can either be bacterial or fungal in origin. Dogs can experience post-nasal drip symptoms like bloody noses, lack of appetite, and coughing.
Allergies, weakened immune systems, cancer, and even foreign objects like grass blades getting stuck in the nasal cavity can all cause sinus infections in dogs. However, there are many causes of nasal infections.
Take your dog to the veterinarian if you think they have a nasal infection so they can be treated with antibiotics or other medications to get rid of the infection.
Your dog uses its nose to explore the world, so when they go for walks they usually have their noses to the ground, which means that anything from the outside world, such as grass, small rocks, dirt, and bugs, can get stuck in their noses. Sneezing is your dog’s body’s natural response to having something stuck in its nose.
Don’t automatically assume that your dog’s sniffling during a walk is due to seasonal allergies the next time. Instead, spend some time inspecting their nose to see if there’s a blade of grass or other foreign object inside. Most of the time, your dog will allow you to remove a foreign object from its nose by sneezing it out. Once the object is removed, your dog will stop sneezing.
Take your dog to the vet right away if you think something is in their nose but you can’t get it out. Sneezing blood, pawing at their face, and excessive sneezing are all indications that your dog has something stuck in their nose. Your dog’s nose will be examined by the vet to determine whether it can be removed.
Dogs who have dental problems may also sneeze due to sinus inflammation brought on by tumors in the mouth and gums, decayed teeth, and oral infections. Dental conditions can also cause sinus infections. Look inside your dog’s mouth if you think they may have a dental issue. Ask your veterinarian about performing a dental examination for teeth cleaning and x-rays if you notice anything out of the ordinary, like a lump or bump, to make sure your dog has healthy teeth and gums.
Reverse sneezing, which is an uncontrollable respiratory reflex that causes rapid inhalations of air through the nose, is a sound you may have heard your dog make before. 6 Although reverse sneezing is common, it can mimic choking or gagging. Reverse sneezing may be your dog’s natural reaction to irritation or an irritant to help your dog manage their allergies or get rid of any foreign particles in their respiratory system.
Reverse sneezing is generally safe if it only occurs occasionally. However, if your dog does it frequently, it may be a sign of allergies, in which case your veterinarian will probably recommend an antihistamine.
Foreign Objects
Dogs are excellent at sniffing their way into potentially dangerous situations. Whether you’re digging in the sand, grass, garbage, or dirt, microscopic fragments and other foreign objects (debris, toy parts, bugs, etc.) can get into your mouth. ) can make their way into your pets nasal passage.
Sneezing is a great way to get rid of these foreign objects and it usually works. However, if your dog keeps poking their nose and the sneezing continues, it may be an indication that the irritant is still present.
What to do: Despite a dog’s innate curiosity, you can prevent them from digging or entering potentially dangerous areas. You might be able to remove whatever is stuck in your dog’s nose with tweezers if you can see it clearly. Make an appointment with a veterinarian to have the nasal cavity thoroughly examined if you are unable to see anything and your dog continues to paw the area.
Nasal Blockage
It may indicate that your dog has something up its nose if it sneezes frequently and paws at it. It might just be a blade of grass or a foxtail. If you observe this behavior, check your dog’s nose to see if anything obvious is blocking it.
See if you can spot anything obstructing your dog’s nose by taking a look inside of it. You might be able to pull it out of your dog’s nose with tweezers if it isn’t too far up. If the object is stuck or challenging to remove, call your veterinarian for assistance.
FAQ
What should I do if my dog keeps sneezing?
As a pet parent, seeing severe sneezing can be very alarming. Nasal foreign bodies, nasal mites, or a nasal tumor are the three most typical causes of excessive sneezing in dogs. Seeking emergency veterinary care is necessary if your pet is constantly sneezing, especially if it is accompanied by a nasal discharge.
What stops sneezing fast?
Use your tongue. By tickling your tongue against the roof of your mouth, you might be able to prevent sneezing. It’s possible that the urge to sneeze will go away after 5 to 10 seconds. The urge to sneeze can be suppressed using a second tongue technique that involves pressing your tongue firmly against your two front teeth.
Why does my dog sneeze so much?
For dogs, it’s usually brought on by dust, pollen, or something that got lodged in their nose while rummaging through the brush. However, unlike us, dogs also sneeze to express their excitement or playfulness.
How much sneezing is too much for a dog?
An occasional sneeze or two in a dog who appears to be otherwise happy and healthy is nothing to worry about, but frequent or persistent sneezing in a dog should prompt a trip to the vet. Inhaled irritants or foreign objects can cause dogs to sneeze.