Dogs sneeze for many different reasons. Dogs can sneeze when they are happy and excited to see you, when they smell something interesting, or because of allergies or a cold. Sneezing in dogs is also normal when they are feeling stressed or anxious about something in their environment.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some common reasons your dog might be sneezing and what you can do about it if they are.
Possible Triggers and Causes
Seasonal allergies
Many dogs suffer from seasonal allergies, resulting in frequent sneezing, watery eyes, and itching. If your dog has allergies, you’ll want to try to find out what they are to and how you can treat them.
Food Allergies
Some dogs have allergies to certain types of food. If your dog has allergies to certain types of food, they may sneeze and become itchy as a result. You’ll want to switch your dog to a new diet to rule this out as a potential cause of your dog’s sneezing.
Play Sneezing
If your dog is playing happily, they may "play sneeze" once in a while. This is not cause for concern as it is actually a normal response when your dog is excited.
Foreign Object
Your dog could have a foreign object stuck in its nose, like a piece of wood or a pebble. If this happens, you’ll want to take them to the vet, as it can cause nasal infections if left untreated and may cause a reverse sneeze.
Nasal mites
If your dog has allergies (either seasonal allergies or food allergies), they may have nasal mites, which are microscopic parasites that live in your dog’s nose. If your dog has nasal mites, they may sneeze as a result.
Nasal Tumor
If your dog has nasal tumors, it can cause them to sneeze. A nasal tumor can be cancerous, so you’ll want to get it checked out by your vet as soon as possible.
When should I be worried if my dog is sneezing?
If your dog is sneezing due to allergies, this isn't a cause for too much concern. However, if your dog is sneezing for any of the following reasons, you’ll want to get them to the vet as soon as possible.
This is especially the case if other symptoms like lethargy accompany the sneezing or if your dog is a senior. You should also keep an eye out for any changes in your dog’s behavior. If your dog is typically friendly and happy and suddenly starts to act strangely, something deeper might be going on with your pup.
Excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable sneezing
If a dog sneezes and it isn’t for any known reason, it might be an early sign of a serious health problem. If you notice that your dog is reverse sneezing, especially if it is accompanied by a change in behavior or loss of appetite, it’s essential to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Excessive sneezing may signify something more serious, like an allergy, a foreign object stuck in the nose, or an inner-ear infection. When dogs sneeze a lot, they may also use their paw as a natural handkerchief to wipe their nose. If you notice your dog sneezing and then using its paws to wipe its nose, it could be a sign of something more serious, like an inner-ear infection.
Sneezing Blood
If your dog is sneezing blood, this can be a sign of a serious problem. If you notice a lot of blood when your dog sneezes, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Blood from the nose can also indicate a stroke or heart attack and is especially dangerous once your dog reverses sneezes.
Although this is rare in dogs, it can be a sign that your dog is experiencing serious and life-threatening complications. If your dog is sneezing blood, your veterinarian will need to determine the cause, and then instruct you on the best course of action for your dog.
Something stuck in their nose
If you notice that your dog is sneezing and has a clear, mucous-like discharge coming from their nose, it could be that something has gotten stuck in their nose. This could be anything from a piece of grass to a child’s toy.
Depending on the object's size and how far it has traveled into your dog’s nasal passage, you will have a few options for removing it. If you can see the object, you can try to remove it with tweezers. This may be the easiest method if the item is small and has not traveled too far into the nasal passage.
You can also try using a saline solution to rinse the object out. If the object has traveled too far into the nasal passage to be removed with tweezers, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian. They will be able to remove it more safely and effectively.
Nose Discharge
If there is a nasal discharge coming from your dog’s nose, it could be due to a bacterial infection. A bacterial infection will cause a clear, slightly yellowish discharge from your dog’s nose. If you notice your dog has an extremely runny nose, you should take him to the veterinarian for a thorough examination.
They will be able to give your dog the proper diagnosis and, if needed, antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. If your dog has a lot of discharge coming from its nose, try to keep their nose clean and dry.
This will help to prevent your dog from developing an infection. If you see that the discharge is red or has a bad smell, it could indicate an infection, and you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.
Showing signs of pain or irritation
If your dog is sneezing and their nose is red and irritated, it could be a sign that their nose is dry. Dogs use panting to cool their bodies down when it’s hot, but they rely on their nasal passages to bring in fresh air.
If your dog's nasal passages are dry (because the dog isn’t panting enough), they may be sneezing because they are irritated by the dry air, or it could be a nasal infection. You can help your dog by increasing the humidity level in your home.
You can also mist their nose with saline solution or water to keep it moist. If your dog is sneezing and their nose is red and irritated, it could be a sign of an allergy.
Not eating well
If your dog is sneezing and has a poor appetite, it could be a sign that they are not eating well. This may be due to a number of different factors.
Your veterinarian will be able to perform a thorough physical examination and determine if there is a medical reason for your dog’s poor appetite. If your dog is sneezing and not eating well, you may want to try feeding them smaller, more frequent meals. It may also be helpful to make the food more appealing by adding some water to the kibble.
High-temperature
If your dog has a high temperature, they may be sneezing due to the swelling in their nasal passages. When the nasal passages swell because of a high temperature, the dog’s ability to breathe is reduced. If your dog has a high temperature, you will notice that they are hot to the touch, panting heavily, and restless and irritable.
If you notice that your dog is sneezing while they have a high temperature, keep an eye on them. If the sneezing persists, it could be a sign that their nose is swelling shut. In this case, you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. They will be able to give your dog medication to reduce the swelling in their nasal passages.
Persistent cough
If your dog has a persistent cough, it could be a sign that they have an infection in their upper respiratory system. Your veterinarian can perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your dog’s cough.
If your dog has a persistent cough, you should try to keep the air in your home moist to reduce irritation in the nasal passages. You can also consider placing your dog in a cool, humid room. This will help to reduce any swelling in their nasal passages.
Breathing Problems
If your dog is sneezing and having trouble breathing, it could be a sign of many different things. It could be due to a respiratory infection, a foreign body in the nasal passages, nasal or lung tumors, or even a heart or lung disease.
If your dog is sneezing and having trouble breathing, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. A veterinarian will be able to perform a thorough physical examination to determine the cause of the breathing problems.
Precautions and Treatments
Treatments
You can treat allergies by keeping your dog away from the allergen or through medication. You can also reduce the number of allergens in your dog’s environment to reduce their symptoms.
You can also feed your dog a diet that lacks allergens to reduce their symptoms and overall health.
Visit the vet
If other symptoms accompany your dog’s sneezing, you should get them to the vet. These symptoms could include lethargy, a change in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, increased breathing, or a change in vocalization.
If your dog’s sneezing is frequent, you should also pay a visit to the vet. Sneezing can be concerning if it’s frequent, as it can be a sign of something more serious.
Steer Clear of Allergens
You can reduce the number of allergens in your dog’s environment to help with their allergies. Remove any fabric or upholstery from their bedding that could be causing their allergies.
You can also clean your home more frequently to remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air. This will help move allergens away from your dog and reduce the symptoms of their allergies.
Give your dog the proper nutrients he needs.
You can reduce your dog’s sneezing by feeding them a nutrient-rich diet. This will help keep your dog healthy and reduce the symptoms of their allergies. You can also add supplements to your dog’s diet to reduce the symptoms of their allergies.
Conclusion
If your dog sneezes, it could be due to several causes. You should always have your dog checked out by a vet to rule out any serious allergies or illnesses. Identifying the trigger will make it much easier to help your dog deal with their sneezing and keep them happy and healthy!