A dog might sneeze from time to time. It is normal and can even be cute to watch. However, you might be wondering why your dog sneezes and what you can do. How to stop a dog from sneezing?
If your dog sneezes, it doesn’t mean that they have a cold. There are several reasons why dogs sneeze. It might be a reaction to airborne particles such as dust. You might want to check how often your dog sneezes as well as the color of the discharge.
In many cases, your dog is sneezing due to irritants in their airways. Sneezing is a reaction to expel the irritant. This article discusses the reasons why your dog sneezes.
Reasons Dogs Sneeze
There are plenty of reasons why your dog is sneezing. It might be caused by irritants in their nose, such as dust, cleaning products, pollen, and even perfume. Sneezing may result from something stuck in their nose, such as dirt and particles they got from venturing outdoors.
If your dog is excessively sneezing, it may be a reaction to airborne particles. Be cautious when you use sprays in your household that might irritate your pet. Scenthounds and hunting dogs that check undergrowth might also gather particles that eventually get stuck on their noses, such as pieces of twigs and leaves. It is especially true if your dog dives nose first through the undergrowth.
Typically, sneezing expels the foreign object on its own. But if you find your dog’s nose is bleeding or they keep touching their nose as they sneeze, it is crucial to consult with a vet at once to remove the blockage.
Dogs That Sneeze While Playing
A majority of owners will observe that their dog sneezes while playing or is excited. This phenomenon is called play sneezing. It is a common reaction of dogs and typically harmless. It indicates that your dog is having tons of fun.
Dog sneeze to indicate that their behavior is only play. They are merely enjoying themselves. Play sneezing is common in small breeds, but you will find that many dogs exhibit this behavior. If your dog is sneezing when you play with them, there’s no reason to worry.
Dogs and Nasal Infections
Typically, the reason your dog sneezes is a reaction to airborne particles or simply a play sneeze. But if your pooch is often sneezing, it might be due to a nasal infection. Overall, dogs that have infections are likelier to cough rather than a sneeze. You might want to pay your vet a visit if these symptoms persist.
A common infection is aspergillus fungus. It gets into your dog’s system when they inhale dust, hay, or pieces of grass. Signs include sneezing, nose pain, and even nosebleeds. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, you must take them to the vet at once.
In some cases, sneezing is a result of mites in the nasal area. These tiny buggers can get wedged into your dog’s nasal passage. They pick up these small parasites from digging in the dirt with their noses. These mites cause incredible discomfort in your dog and can even result in nosebleeds and excessive discharge. If there are nasal mites in your dog, take them to the vet at once for treatment.
The following are reasons why your dog may be sneezing:
Infected tooth
the upper premolar has roots that are wedged close to the nasal airways. Once infected, it can result in irritation that causes your dog to sneeze.
Tumors
In some cases, sneezing is a sign of a severe medical issue such as a tumor. Secondhand smoking is one of the root causes of tumor development in a dog’s nasal passages. It is typical of long-nosed breeds. If you think your dog is suffering from a severe condition, take them to the vet for a diagnosis.
It is especially crucial if your dog is a brachycephalic breed. These breeds include Bulldogs and Pugs, which are notable for their squeezed in nasal passages. They are likelier to sneeze than other breeds.
How Do You Know if a Sneeze Is Harmless?
Typically, a sneeze isn’t a sneeze. Your dog might be snorting. In this case, if your dog is healthy, there may be a blockage in their upper airway. Make sure to take your dog to the vet at once to have it examined. Snorting is common if your dog is obese since it is harder for them to breathe.
In some cases, your dog may be exhibiting reverse sneeze. This is common in small breeds and brachycephalic dogs. When dogs reverse sneeze, the air is pulled quickly through the nose resulting in a sound similar to a honk. Some owners say the sound is similar to laughter. It also affects your dog’s movement, and they will be standing with their elbows apart with their head pulled forward before emitting the sound. In many cases, reverse sneezing doesn’t require treatment. You don’t need to worry if your dog exhibits this.
Check if there are obstructions in your dog’s nose
How to stop a dog from sneezing? If you find that your dog is sneezing, pawing at their nose, and rubbing it on the floor, there might be an obstruction in their nose. The culprit is likely a piece of grass, food, hair, or a bit of foxtail burr.
Foxtails are a species of plants that are weed-like and have sharp seeds. These burrs are prickly and scatter everywhere. It is dangerous for animals to pick them up.
According to experts, foxtail burrs can get trapped in the snout of dogs as well as their eyes, mouth, and genitals. They can migrate in any area of the body, which can lead to lifelong damage and even death.
It is crucial to immediately consult your vet if you find that these dangerous particles are wedged in your pet’s nose. Your vet will examine the dog and extricate the burr from the nasal cavity.
Dog Allergies
Another typical reason for excessive sneezing in dogs is allergies. Like humans, dogs can have an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, food, and flea bites. They might react to irritants in the air.
If your dog sneezes, it may be due to allergies, especially if they start scratching itchy areas. They might expel watery discharge from their eyes and noses as well as cough and wheeze.
If you find that your dog is sneezing from allergies, you must consult with your vet. They can pinpoint specific allergens and come up with a treatment plan.
Troubling signs
If your dog exhibits a honking sound, has difficulty breathing, refuses to exercise, and develops a bluish color on their gums, it is crucial to take them to the vet at once.
Experts say that this might be a sign of tracheal collapse. This is likelier to occur in smaller breeds and can be extremely serious.
Dogs Sneezing Excessively
Suppose your dog is exhibiting uncontrollable sneezings such as hacking cough, lethargy, reduced appetite, plenty of discharge from the eyes and nose area, and high fever. In that case, they might be suffering from canine influenza.
It is crucial to get them to the vet right away if you think your dog has this flu. Canine influenza may progress to pneumonia if not treated at once.
Keep in mind that dogs who have flu are highly contagious. You must call your vet about a possible flu condition before taking them to the clinic for an exam. You will be following a protocol to contain and minimize the virus spread.
If treated promptly, the flu symptoms should subside in a couple of weeks up to three weeks. However, it is best to isolate your dog from other animals for 30 days after the occurrence of the symptoms to mitigate transmission.
Similar to humans, dogs can also be infected by cold viruses that trigger continuous sneezing. If your dog has symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, watery eyes, and lethargy, it is likely that your dog has contracted the cold bug.
According to experts, a majority of dog colds are harmless and should fade on their own. However, it is crucial to have them examined by a vet if your dog is very young, old, or has a weakened immune system. Your vet will factor out serious infections.
A Note About Reverse Sneezing – How to Stop a Dog From Sneezing
When it comes to sneezing dogs, there is one thing you should know. Aside from play sneezing, dogs will also reverse sneeze.
Technically, reverse sneezing is not a sneeze; rather, it is paroxysmal respiration. It happens when dogs inhale air in their nose quickly rather than exhaling it out of their nose. It produces a snorting sound, which is similar to choking or an asthma attack.
Reverse sneezing is typical in smaller dogs and brachycephalic breeds. The sound might alarm you, but it is nothing to worry about. It typically subsides in a couple of minutes.
What to do about it
How to stop a dog from sneezing? Massage the neck of your dog gently to create a soothing effect. Some experts suggest blowing on your dog’s face to trigger a swallowing reflex, which initiates normal breathing. If your dog persistently reverse sneezes, you might want to take them to the vet to check for underlying issues.
Home Remedies for Sneezing Dogs
How to stop a dog from sneezing? Continuous sneezing in dogs and snorting can be traced to various causes. It is crucial to bring them to a veterinarian. But the following are some home remedies you can apply to your dog to mitigate sneezing before taking them to the vet:
Take your dog’s temperature
Suppose your dog has a high fever in the range of 101 to 102°. It would help if you took them to the vet at once.
Isolate your dog
Put your dog in a small room and observe their behavior.
Soothe your dog
How to stop a dog from sneezing? Don’t take your dog on long walks or engage them in intense physical activities until you get them checked by a vet.
Note:
If you find your dog exhibiting odd behavior such as reduced appetite, breathing difficulty, a limp, or weird behavior, you must have them checked by your vet. If they have nasal discharge such as blood, inform the vet. It may be a sign of a more serious health condition that requires a medical emergency.
Treatments by Your Vet
When you take your dog to the vet clinic, the following are several procedures that will be done:
History
Your vet will be asking several questions about the history of the medical condition. They will need to know when the sneezing started and behavioral changes in your pet.
Physical exam
Since many possibilities can be traced to sneezing, your pet will be physically examined to factor out medical issues.
Laboratory test
Your veterinarian will get blood samples to identify specific diseases and infections.
Examination under anesthesia
Your veterinarian may utilize a scope to examine nasal tissues. These different samples will be observed under the microscope for evaluation.
Note:
One of the most powerful senses of your dog is their sense organ. Their nose is better developed than those of humans. Typically sneezing is temporary and subsides on its own. Some owners find that it can be funny. However, if your dog is sneezing, suffering a fever, expelling fluid discharge and blood, it is crucial to take them to the vet right away. Know the causes of sneezing in your dog and ways to prevent it.
Final Thoughts – How to Stop a Dog From Sneezing?
In many cases, a dog sneezing is harmless. But if your dog is continuously sneezing, you might start asking: how to stop a dog from sneezing? In some cases, making adjustments in their environment and diet can mitigate excessive sneezing. But if your dog is suffering from other conditions such as high fever and inflammation, they might require vet intervention. Take them to a pet care emergency, especially if they are sneezing and having breathing difficulties.
