Why Does My Dog Keep Sneezing?

Dogs sneeze for all sorts of reasons and sometimes it’s just a little dust tickling their nose, while other times it’s something more. If your pup’s sneezing fits have become a regular occurrence, it can be alarming. Occasional sneezes are perfectly normal, but frequent or sudden bursts can point to irritation, allergies, or even a mild infection.

It’s important to understanding the difference between harmless sneezing and something that deserves a vet visit to keep your dog comfortable and healthy.

Let’s break down the most common reasons dogs sneeze, when it’s harmless, and when it’s time to call your vet.

Normal Sneezing in Dogs

Just like people, dogs sneeze to clear their nasal passages. Dust, pollen, or even a stray hair can tickle the inside of their nose, triggering a quick “achoo.” Many dogs also sneeze while playing or when they’re excited which is a behavior known as a play sneeze. This is your dog’s way of communicating that he or she is happy and not being aggressive, especially during playtime.

If your dog sneezes a few times a day but seems otherwise perfectly healthy, and is eating, playing, and breathing normally, it’s usually nothing to worry about.

What Are The Common Causes of Frequent Sneezing?

If your dog’s sneezing seems to happen more often than usual, it’s worth taking notice. Persistent sneezing can have a variety of causes, ranging from mild irritants to more serious conditions.

Environmental irritants are one of the top culprits to cause your dog to sneeze. Smoke, household cleaners, strong perfumes, or even air fresheners can irritate your dog’s sensitive nose.  Try to see if the sneezing happens after cleaning or spraying something around your home.

Allergies are another common reason dogs sneeze. Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold, or even certain foods. Seasonal allergies tend to spike during spring and fall, leading to sneezing, watery eyes, and itching. Even some skin allergies can cause a dog to sneeze or itch.

Foreign objects lodged in the nasal passage, like a blade of grass, small seed, or dirt can also cause constant sneezing. Dogs love to sniff everything, and sometimes that curiosity backfires. If your pup suddenly starts sneezing uncontrollably or pawing at their nose, a foreign object could be the cause.

When Sneezing Signals an Infection

Sometimes, the reason that your dog keeps sneezing is due to an upper respiratory infection. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can all cause sneezing along with nasal discharge, coughing, or lethargy.

Conditions like kennel cough or canine influenza can start with cold-like symptoms and progress if untreated. In these cases, you might notice thick nasal mucus, a runny nose, or even a bit of blood. If you see any of the signs, make sure to see your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Could It Be a Nasal Mite or Dental Problem?

Less commonly, persistent sneezing can result from nasal mites which are tiny parasites that live in a dog’s nasal passages. They’re highly irritating and can cause reverse sneezing, nasal discharge, or even snorting sounds. A vet can confirm their presence under magnification and prescribe medication to clear them up.

Another sneaky cause is dental disease. Since the roots of your dog’s upper teeth are close to the nasal passages, a bad tooth infection can sometimes extend into the sinuses. If your dog’s sneezing is accompanied by bad breath, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty eating, a dental check-up might reveal the culprit.

Reverse Sneezing: When It Sounds Like a Snort

Many dog owners worry when their dog suddenly starts making a strange snorting or honking sound. This is usually something called reverse sneezing, which happens when air is rapidly pulled into the nose instead of pushed out.

It can sound alarming, but it’s generally harmless and often triggered by excitement, pulling on the leash, or sudden changes in temperature. Holding your dog calmly and gently stroking their throat can help them recover faster.

When to See the Vet

If your dog sneezes occasionally, it’s probably just normal behavior. But if the sneezing becomes frequent, chronic, or comes with other symptoms, like nasal discharge, blood, coughing, fatigue, or loss of appetite, then it’s time to see your vet.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough exam, including nasal swabs, X-rays, or allergy tests to pinpoint what’s causing the problem. The treatment will depend on the cause, from antihistamines for allergies to antibiotics for infections or even minor procedures to remove foreign objects.

Helping Your Dog Breathe Easily

To help prevent sneezing episodes, try keeping your home free of irritants. Use unscented cleaners, vacuum regularly to reduce dust and dander, and wash your dog’s bedding often. If your dog has known allergies, your vet may recommend medication or dietary changes to minimize your dog’s flare-ups.

Occasional sneezes are just part of being a dog, especially for breeds with shorter snouts like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, who are more prone to nasal irritation. But by paying attention to patterns and symptoms, you can make sure that your pup stays comfortable and healthy.

It’s important to understanding the difference between harmless sneezing and something that deserves a vet visit to keep your dog comfortable and healthy.

Let’s break down the most common reasons dogs sneeze, when it’s harmless, and when it’s time to call your vet.

Normal Sneezing in Dogs

Just like people, dogs sneeze to clear their nasal passages. Dust, pollen, or even a stray hair can tickle the inside of their nose, triggering a quick “achoo.” Many dogs also sneeze while playing or when they’re excited which is a behavior known as a play sneeze. This is your dog’s way of communicating that he or she is happy and not being aggressive, especially during playtime.

If your dog sneezes a few times a day but seems otherwise perfectly healthy, and is eating, playing, and breathing normally, it’s usually nothing to worry about.

What Are The Common Causes of Frequent Sneezing?

If your dog’s sneezing seems to happen more often than usual, it’s worth taking notice. Persistent sneezing can have a variety of causes, ranging from mild irritants to more serious conditions.

Environmental irritants are one of the top culprits to cause your dog to sneeze. Smoke, household cleaners, strong perfumes, or even air fresheners can irritate your dog’s sensitive nose.  Try to see if the sneezing happens after cleaning or spraying something around your home.

Allergies are another common reason dogs sneeze. Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold, or even certain foods. Seasonal allergies tend to spike during spring and fall, leading to sneezing, watery eyes, and itching. Even some skin allergies can cause a dog to sneeze or itch.

Foreign objects lodged in the nasal passage, like a blade of grass, small seed, or dirt can also cause constant sneezing. Dogs love to sniff everything, and sometimes that curiosity backfires. If your pup suddenly starts sneezing uncontrollably or pawing at their nose, a foreign object could be the cause.

When Sneezing Signals an Infection

Sometimes, the reason that your dog keeps sneezing is due to an upper respiratory infection. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can all cause sneezing along with nasal discharge, coughing, or lethargy.

Conditions like kennel cough or canine influenza can start with cold-like symptoms and progress if untreated. In these cases, you might notice thick nasal mucus, a runny nose, or even a bit of blood. If you see any of the signs, make sure to see your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Could It Be a Nasal Mite or Dental Problem?

Less commonly, persistent sneezing can result from nasal mites which are tiny parasites that live in a dog’s nasal passages. They’re highly irritating and can cause reverse sneezing, nasal discharge, or even snorting sounds. A vet can confirm their presence under magnification and prescribe medication to clear them up.

Another sneaky cause is dental disease. Since the roots of your dog’s upper teeth are close to the nasal passages, a bad tooth infection can sometimes extend into the sinuses. If your dog’s sneezing is accompanied by bad breath, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty eating, a dental check-up might reveal the culprit.

Reverse Sneezing: When It Sounds Like a Snort

Many dog owners worry when their dog suddenly starts making a strange snorting or honking sound. This is usually something called reverse sneezing, which happens when air is rapidly pulled into the nose instead of pushed out.

It can sound alarming, but it’s generally harmless and often triggered by excitement, pulling on the leash, or sudden changes in temperature. Holding your dog calmly and gently stroking their throat can help them recover faster.

When to See the Vet

If your dog sneezes occasionally, it’s probably just normal behavior. But if the sneezing becomes frequent, chronic, or comes with other symptoms, like nasal discharge, blood, coughing, fatigue, or loss of appetite, then it’s time to see your vet.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough exam, including nasal swabs, X-rays, or allergy tests to pinpoint what’s causing the problem. The treatment will depend on the cause, from antihistamines for allergies to antibiotics for infections or even minor procedures to remove foreign objects.

Helping Your Dog Breathe Easily

To help prevent sneezing episodes, try keeping your home free of irritants. Use unscented cleaners, vacuum regularly to reduce dust and dander, and wash your dog’s bedding often. If your dog has known allergies, your vet may recommend medication or dietary changes to minimize your dog’s flare-ups.

Occasional sneezes are just part of being a dog, especially for breeds with shorter snouts like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, who are more prone to nasal irritation. But by paying attention to patterns and symptoms, you can make sure that your pup stays comfortable and healthy.