Why does my dog sneeze so much?
Sneezing and coughing are common seasonal conditions that can affect any dog’s health. Many dogs sneeze due to allergies, nasal infections, kennel cough, while some dogs sneeze to communicate and seek attention from owners.
Seeing your dog sneezing for the first time can panic many new dog owners. You may wonder, what’s happening with my dog? Is it time to visit the vet? But, what if I tell you that sneezing is normal in dogs, and one can easily comfort them with proper measures and methods.
As a dog owner, it’s critical to differentiate between playful or communicative dog sneezing vs. harmful sneezing. There are many reasons dogs do sneeze, and sometimes their sneezing is excessive and uncontrollable. You should be aware of your dog’s habits and manners to understand their behavior better.
In this blog post, we have summed up the most common reasons why your dog might be sneezing with other possible hints. We have also provided some home remedies solutions that you can use to calm down your dog during their sneezing cycle. However, a vet consultation is always advisable if things go out of your control.
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Why Does My Dog Sneeze So Much?
A dog sneezes because of many reasons and causes. When a dog sneezes, it can be a sign of communication that they commonly use to convey their message. Dogs also sneeze because they’re suffering from some illness or disease. Some dogs also sneeze to kill their boredom or seek their owners’ attention.
If your dog is sneezing excessively, it may be a terrible sign for your dog as well for you. Most of the time, a dog gets rid of its sneezes after a few hours, but this condition can also last for a couple of days. Like anything, it’s recommended to take proper care of your four-legged companion and help him control their sneezing disorder.
7 Reasons Why Do Dogs Sneeze So Much
Like humans, dogs also sneeze when a foreign particle enters their nose, causing them to sneeze unknowingly. Sometimes, they cough and sniff to expel those foreign particles out of their nose. But what if they’re sneezing out of something else? Below are X reasons that leads to excessive or uncontrollable sneezing in dogs:
1. Sneezing Due To Allergies
Underlying allergies are probably one the most common reasons behind sneezing in dogs. A dog is prone to many environmental allergies like pollen grains, dust particles, mist, etc., that they inhale while they breathe. If they are sneezing due to allergies, you might see their watery eyes, or they will scrape or lick their coat due to the itchiness caused by the allergens on their body.
2. Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing is the opposite of normal sneezing conditions in dogs. While in a regular sneeze, the dog pulls air in his nose, which causes them to sneeze; on the other hand, in reverse sneezing, a dog pushes the air outside of their nose.
Reverse sneezing in dogs is an intriguing phenomenon that usually happens in response to excitement, annoyances, or inflammation. Although reverse sneezing is not harmful in dogs, it can be an alarming sign of their condition. Your dog will display immediate and echoed inhalations through the nose that sounds like honking. It may also appear that your dog is having difficulty breathing when they reverse sneezes. A quick pat on their back or quieting them down can help them get rid of reverse sneezing.
3. Sneezing While They Play
Many of you may not know, but dogs sneeze the most during their playtime sessions. If your dog is playing with another dog or with humans, you may notice them sneezing quite often. Experts say that play sneezing in dogs shows that they thoroughly enjoying the moment. It’s a playful stunt exhibited by dogs rather than a threatening sign. So, next time you see your dog sneezing more often while they’re playing, you should engage more with them rather than getting worried. It’s perfectly normal!
4. Sneezing Due To Airborne Irritants
Certain dogs can be susceptible to air-borne irritants that can induce sneezing in them. These Air-borne irritants are dust and air particles that get stuck in their nasal passage, which causes them to sneeze and discomfort. Other common hassles encompass perfumed candles, perfume, air fresheners, smoke, or cleaning products.
5. Nasal Infection and Tumor
Another common reason behind uncontrollable sneezing in your dog is due to nasal infections. Dogs develop respiratory and nasal infections, which blocks the comfortable flow of air passage through their nose. These infections can be fungal or bacterial, and sometimes they can even arise from an infected tooth root. If your dog is suffering from a nasal illness, you will usually see indications, like bloody or mucus release from their nose. Sometimes, this infection turns into a nasal tumor in dogs, which requires treatment from the vets.
6. Nasal Mites
Nasal mites are tiny bugs that can induce severe nasal irritation in canines. Due to the discomfort and inflammation affected by these pests, you will usually notice a bloody or thick release from their nose in addition to frequent sneezing. Dogs often get them when they scoop or wipe their nose in the mud. It’s essential to take a closer look at your dog’s nose area to see if there’s any stuck mucus that requires cleaning.
Related: How To Treat Ear Mites In Dogs?
7. Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)
BAOS is a syndrome that affects brachycephalic dogs because of abnormalities in their upper airways. Breeds like Pekingese, French and English Bulldog, Boxers, Pugs, Boston Terrier, etc., are more prone to this condition. These breeds often have breathing trouble that leads to regular sneezing issues. If you also have a Brachycephalic pup, ask your vet what you can do to comfort your beloved pet.
What Are The Other Symptoms Of Sneezing In Dogs?
Sometimes when your dog sneezes too often, he also shows other signs of trouble. It can lead to more pain, discomfort, and poor health in your dog’s wellness cycle. Here are the other conditions that can be seen along with sneezing in dogs:
Dog Sneezing Blood
When a dog sneezes blood, it’s a strong hint that something more severe is happening with his nasal airway passages. It could be a nasal tumor, nasal infection, bacterial or fungal attack. If you’re seeing your pet sneezing blood out of their nose or mouth, visit your vet immediately for the proper examination of your dog’s health.
Related: Dog pooping blood in stool
Dog Sneezing and Coughing
In the majority of the cases, a dog also starts coughing just after they end up sneezing. It may seem panicking to the owner, but it’s a common problem observed in many breeds. If your doggie friend is also sneezing and coughing simultaneously, it can be an indication of an underlying health condition. Possible reasons for this warning are bacterial illnesses, kennel cough, dog influenza, or respiratory parasites.
Dog Sneezing and Wheezing
If your dog is wheezing in addition to sneezing, it may imply they have a problem with their lungs. It requires proper veterinarian investigation to see the possible cause behind their condition. Wheezing is caused mainly by asthma or underlying respiratory problems.
5 Home Remedies To Stop Sneezing In Dogs
As discussed above, many reasons can trigger sneezing in your dog. While allergies are seasonal and happen once or twice as per the climate changes, other reasons can be troublesome for your canine’s health. With simple and easy natural home remedies, you can quickly treat your dog’s sneezing problems.
Humidify The Surroundings
If your dog struggles with kennel cough, a humid environment can fix the trouble. When a dog sneezes too often because of the cough, their nose becomes dry and, as a result, blocks while they sleep. By placing a humidifier or vaporizer, you can humidify the surrounding, preventing your dog’s nose from blockage. The humidity will alleviate the irritation developing in your dog’s nose. You can also apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the edge of their nose to relieve them.
Give Your Dog Ample Amount Of Rest
When dogs suffer from any illness or condition, they lose a lot of their energy to cure themselves naturally. The same is the case with coughing and sneezing. Both these conditions can make your dog weak and tiring, which is not suitable for their overall health. So, it’s important to calm your pet and give them a quiet area to relax. You can cut down their physical training for a while and let them recover from the disease. You should avoid taking them outdoors and let them spend their time indoors only.
Provide Proper Nutrition To Your Dog
Just like humans, your canine may not feel a strong appetite as the dog is undergoing sneezing and a lot more. At this point in time, your main focus should be to keep your dog’s diet healthy and nutritious. Try warming their food before serving it to them, as hot food provides more energy to the body. Simmered chicken broth may be a delicious treat for a pup who has a cold with a sensitive throat. Add more warm fluids to your dog’s meal that will clear his blocked nose and throat. Avoid giving him any cold food or water straight from the refrigerator.
Groom Your Dog Regularly
Proper grooming and care can prevent your dog from catching seasonal illnesses and diseases. Many owners ignore the part where they have to check the hygiene of their dog’s health. If your dog is struggling with sneezing, make sure you’re properly cleaning his nose to prevent the growth of bacteria or yeast near their nose area. Also, you need to bathe them cautiously with warm water, as they may catch a cold that can worsen their sneezing condition.
Take An Holistic Approach
Homeopathic, herbal, and antioxidant cures may improve the immune system and benefit your doggie to recover from sneezing more quickly. Many natural herbs such as marshmallows or mullein help a dog to recover more quickly from sneezing and cold. Vitamin C and E also curtail inflammation caused by sneezing and help improve dogs’ immunity.
Why Does My Dog Sneeze When He Wakes Up?
You may have observed your dog sneezing more in the morning or as soon as he wakes up. In the morning, dogs are more exposed to dust particles and allergens than at night. If your dog is sleeping on the floor, the dust particles may cause trouble in your dog’s nose that might lead them to sneeze or cough. Sometimes, you might also see your dog sneezing twice or thrice after waking up. Dogs do this to freshen themselves up to kick-start their day. However, if they sneeze continuously for minutes after waking up, it’s advisable to consult your vet regarding the situation.
Final Thoughts
Cold, coughing, wheezing, and sneezing are common conditions that hit the dog’s health and are primarily seasonal illnesses. With proper care, you can safeguard your dog from catching these illnesses. Though sneezing is normal in dogs, sometimes things get alarming, and proper veterinary consultation is required to seek treatment and solutions.
Disclaimer: This post is completely informational and educational in nature. Its purpose is to enrich one’s knowledge related to dog health issues and diseases. However, in case of any serious emergency or complications, immediately contact a professional, veterinarian, or expert.