Why Does My Dog Keep Sneezing? When To Be Concerned

It is not uncommon for humans to sneeze; it is also normal for dogs to sneeze. However, if you notice your dog sneezing more frequently, accompanied by some discharge, there is an issue with the dog, and you need to resolve it as soon as possible. It would be best if you take it to a veterinary doctor for a checkup and proper treatment.

Dogs sneeze for various reasons, including inhalation of foreign objects, food allergies, airborne allergens infections, nasal infections, dental disease, tumors, nasal mites, sinusitis, and rhinitis. It would be best to be concerned when your dog sneezes violently and regularly; take it to the vet.

On a few occasions, the reason for your dog sneezing could be overexcitement; the dog can be trying to tell you it is happy and ready to play. If this is the case, there is no need to be worried.

Why Does My Dog Keep Sneezing?

When you notice your dog sneezing, the dog is likely trying to get rid of things like dust or pollen that irritate its nose. It tends to stop sneezing once the irritating substance is out of its nose. However, the sneezing could get so serious that it finds it difficult to breathe well. When this happens, you need to be more concerned.

Understanding why your dog sneezes is crucial to deal with it properly. For you to know what to do when you see your dog sneezing, we will look at some of the possible reasons dogs sneeze.

Inhalation of Foreign Objects

This is a common reason many dogs sneeze; it often happens when you take your dog outside for a walk. It could have accidentally inhaled grass, needles, pollen, and fishhook during the walk. Once that happens, you will notice the dog sniffing and even rubbing its face on the ground.

This is a sign that it has inhaled a foreign object and is logged in its nasal passage. After much sneezing, the inhaled object or particle could come out itself. However, if you notice the sneezing persist, it could mean it is still finding it difficult to get rid of the object. So, it is best advised that you take the dog to a vet.

Seasonal And Food Allergies

Like humans, dogs are also allergic to certain things. The allergy could either be a result of food or seasonal changes. There are times of the year when pollen counts are high; leaving your windows open or leaving your dogs outside could make your dog sneeze due to this seasonal allergy. When this happens, meet with your vet for advice on necessary medication for your dog.

Food allergies often affect dogs’ digestive systems more than their respiratory system. However, they sometimes cause dogs to sneeze. You get to know your dog is suffering from a food allergy if it begins to sneeze just a few hours after eating a particular food. When you notice this, it is best advised that you gradually change the dog’s diet until it gets used to the new diet, causing the allergy.

Reverse Sneezing

Have you noticed your dog making a honk or snorting sound through its nose? If you have, then you understand what reverse sneezing is. It could happen when your dog responds to excitement, inflammation, or irritants. A reverse sneeze is when a dog inhales loudly in spasm, producing gagging or choking noise.

When you notice your dog is excited and it has a reverse sneeze, you can stoke and pet it to help it calm down. This helps to resolve the sneeze. Although reverse sneezes are harmless, the dog usually experiences discomforts. It is best to soothe the dog by massaging its throat gently or blowing on its face lightly.

More to learn: Why Does My Dog Keep Coughing?

Nasal Mites And Tumor

Nasal mites are another reason dogs sneeze. These mites are small bugs that stay in the dogs’ nasal passages, causing an irritation that leads to your dog sneezing frequently. Moreover, this is usually accompanied by some thick discharge through their nose. When the dog rigs or rubs its nose in the dirt, these bugs can be contacted.

Nasal tumor happens more in older dogs. When you notice your dog is sneezing more frequently with some bloody discharge, it indicates a tumor in the dog’s nose. The dog should be taken to a veterinary doctor to monitor and treat nasal mites and tumors properly. Vets often prescribe ivermectin for its treatment.

What Should I Do If My Dog Keeps Sneezing?

You ought to know your dog well more than any other person. If your dog has been normal all day, and it suddenly begins to sneeze, you should know something is wrong. Although, you might not have to be too worried about it.

It is normal for dogs to sneeze. So, having noticed your dog sneezing, the first thing to do is to try and understand the cause of the sneeze. We have explained some of the reasons why your dog could sneeze. Knowing the cause would help understand how to manage the condition.

For instance, if you recently changed your dog’s food, and you notice it begins to sneeze some minutes or hours after eating, the food is likely the cause. So, the implication is that the dog does not like that food. You can gradually introduce the new food until it gets used to it or feed it other foods.

Also, If you notice a reverse sneeze, you need to pat the dog to keep it calm. The dog is likely going to stop sneezing once it is calm. By massaging the dog’s throat or blowing in its face, you trigger the swallowing reflex that will help the dog ease the spasms. You should also ensure the dog gets adequate fresh air.

However, when you notice the sneeze becomes so frequent, and your dog does not stop, or you see some forms of discharge coming out of its nose while sneezing, such a dog needs medical attention. Ensure you take the dog to a veterinary doctor for a checkup and treatment.

Other symptoms that require the attention of a veterinary doctor are when the dog has a hacking cough, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, and there are discharges from its eyes. The most probable cause is that the dog contracted the canine influenza virus, and you should immediately take it to a vet.

Learn More: Why Does My Dog Snore? Is Snoring Bad For My Dog? [ANSWERED]

Does Cold Weather Make Dogs Sneeze?

Many people are unaware that dogs are also susceptible to cold weather, and they can develop various illnesses as a result of exposure to cold weather. The most common illnesses caused by cold weather in dogs are cold, hypothermia, kennel cough, and frostbite.

Dogs can start sneezing as a result of overexposure to cold weather. Cold weather has a similar effect on dogs as it does on humans. There can be discharges from the nose, watery eyes, labored or wet breathing, and lethargy. The symptoms of cold weather usually last for about five to ten days.

One of the best things to do to prevent your dog from getting ill during the cold is to keep it warm, especially during winter. It is better to keep the dog indoors and allow it to go out for fresh air once in a while. Keeping a dog indoors for a long time exposes it to dry air, accumulation of mold, and other allergens indoors.

Final Thoughts

No one loves to see their beloved pet ill, especially with a minor but painful and uncomfortable illness, like sneezing. Although this should not be a cause for worry, there are occasions when you need to act swiftly and take the dog to the veterinary doctor for quick analysis and treatment.

Learn More: Why Does My Dog Pant So Much?