Help! My Dog Won’t Stop Sneezing!
It’s spring, and pollen fills the air. You sneeze, your dog sneezes, we all sneeze. It’s summer and the wafting smoke from the neighbor’s barbecue floats by. We sneeze again. Every season brings its own crop of allergens that cause sneezing. We sneeze because allergens are irritants that get into our noses. Our bodies want to expel the irritants.
Seasonal allergies and household irritants.
Your dog’s nose is often close to the ground. We track dirt into the house that can get into their noses. They sneeze. We fall behind on our dusting duties. The dog sneezes. Common household and outdoor irritants are everywhere and include:
- Smoke
- Chemical smells
- Fragrances
- Dirt and dust
Your Dog’s Sneeze May Be Telling You They’re Happy
Dog’s sneeze for reasons other than allergies. Does your dog sneeze when you fill its food bowl? Does your dog sneeze when it’s playing? How about when you come home from a long day away?
Dogs sneeze when they’re excited, when they’re happy, and when they play. Sometimes they use sneezing as a way to calm themselves when they get overexcited. Sneezing can be a form of communication between you and your dog or with other dogs. It’s perfectly okay for your dog to be sneezing because of allergens or happiness.
Can Sneezing Be a Symptom of Illness?
Dogs can get colds and other illnesses that may cause them to sneeze. Sneezing can also be caused by an obstruction in the nasal passage. Sometimes, there is a more serious reason behind the sneeze like:
- An object in the nose
- A tumor
- A cold
- Canine Influenza
You know your dog. If your pet seems to be sneezing too much or has trouble breathing, call Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates immediately at (248) 646-5655.
Reverse Sneezing
If your dog’s soft palate muscle begins to spasm, causing the trachea to narrow, they will react with a “backward sneeze.” Your dog is trying to breathe through its nose. This can sound like snorting or honking.
Reverse sneezing is more like a cough. Your dog is trying to get an irritant out of its throat. You’ve heard this sound if your dog has pulled on its leash. Or maybe, when the dog is playing fetch, it gets a mouthful of dirt, and it will reverse sneeze.
Many of the causes of reverse sneezing are the same as nasal sneezes: allergies and excitement. Any irritant that is felt in your dog’s throat may cause a reverse sneeze.
We’re Here for You and Want to Help with All Pet Wellness Concerns.
Call Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates at (248) 646-5655 for if you think your pet is sneezing excessively. We are here for you and your pets!