Why Is My Dog Sneezing So Much?

Dogs are prone to allergies and other nasal infections, which need to be treated at an early stage. Therefore, knowing the root cause behind the sneezing will help you nip it in the bud before it gets out of control.

If you find yourself wondering – why is my dog sneezing so much, then it’s best to read up on it a little. That way, you can determine whether your dogs are facing health issues or a light tickle inside their noses.

Why Do Dogs Sneeze?

Before you go on to figuring out why your dog sneezes a lot, you must be aware of the possible reasons for it to happen.

Play Sneezing

Yes, as ridiculous as it might sound to the human ear, play sneezing is actually a thing when it comes to dogs. Often you’ll find dogs sneezing in the middle of an intense playing session with their masters or other animals.

As the vets say, dogs tend to become very excited and overwhelmed with joy when they are given attention. And so, when they sneeze while playing, it is entirely harmless, and it shows that they are responding positively to their surroundings.

Suspended Irritants in Air

Both dogs and humans tend to sneeze when dust enters their nasal cavity. Each dog is different, and there is a range of airborne irritants that can lead to constant sneezing. This is simply the body’s own way of getting rid of foreign substances from your airway in the form of a cough.

When dogs are playing outside, it is common for dust particles and pollen to enter their noses. These can start to irritate the insides of the dog’s nose, which causes them to sneeze frequently. Other than dust, aerosol, perfume and other forms of fragrances can also lead them to start sneezing uncontrollably.

Allergies

Allergies is one of the most common reasons why dogs tend to sneeze so much. Each breed of dog is allergic to certain objects. You should read up on what allergies your dog might have and try to avoid them as much as possible.

It is also quite easy to identify whether your dog is play sneezing or sneezing due to an allergy. One indicator of allergic sneezing is watering and redness of the eyes. The consistency of the mucus is also runny when it is due to an allergy.

Dogs might also start scratching themselves and licking their fur if the allergy is causing their body to itch. So, keep an eye out for these symptoms in order to identify them better.

Unwanted Material Entering the Nasal Passage

Whether you’re playing outdoors or indoors, it is quite easy for foreign substances to get stuck in your dog’s nasal passage.

Substances such as grass blades, twigs, and sticks can severely irritate their nose, leading to continuous sneezing. In such cases, you will notice your dog moving their snout around because of the extreme discomfort.

Reverse Sneezing

Reverse sneezing is a reflex action that results in your dog inhaling large amounts of air through the nose. This makes a whistling sound and is known to rid them of the intense irritation inside their nasal cavity. This spasm-like movement loosens up any foreign objects inside the nasal cavity.

Reverse sneezing is common in breeds that have flat faces with an overweight physique. We must alarm you that reverse sneezing can seem quite disheartening.

This is because the dog makes a whistling or honking noise for around two minutes straight. You should try and calm your dogs in these cases by patting them or showing signs of love and affection.

Nasal Mites

For many years now, mites have been irritating dogs and other animals with fur. While they are mainly known to cause itching, these pests can also enter the nasal cavity and induce non-stop sneezing. Since dogs love digging and smelling almost everything in their path, it is common for these mites to enter their noses.

If your dog just won’t stop sneezing and is giving out thick mucus, you might want to contact a vet. There are several cases where nasal mites can lead to scarring of the nasal passage, leading to bloody nasal discharge. Whatever the case is, an early trip to the vet should end the problem before it has adverse effects.

Nasal mites are very annoying and can cause severe problems if not catered to fast. One way to avoid mites is to tug on your dog’s leash when they smell dirty things or other pets.

Tumors

Tumors are lumps that develop in dogs who are usually over seven years of age. Nasal tumors are particularly problematic and need to be operated on because they can be quite irritating.

It can block airways leading to uncontrollable sneezing and bloody discharge. If this is what is causing your dog to sneeze, you must seek urgent treatment as soon as possible. There is a high chance that your dog will need to be operated on. And so, you must plan the surgery at a time where you are able to care for your dog to the fullest.

Infection 

This is yet another one of the most common problems faced by dogs. As they are exposed to the outside environment, germs and other bacteria can easily enter their body through the nose and cause infections.

However, it is quite easy to identify respiratory infections as sneezing is usually accompanied by thick and bloody discharge or loss of appetite.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Sneezing?

While there are no fixed steps or guidelines that will tell you how to prevent sneezing, you can be more cautious. Each dog is different, and in order to stop them from sneezing, you have to ensure cleanliness and proper care.

Keep Your House Clean

One precautionary measure is to keep your house neat and tidy at all times. Try vacuuming frequently to prevent dust particles from settling on the surface of your furniture. You also need to make sure dust and other germs don’t invade your dog’s bed.

Avoid Spraying Aerosol

When you’re going to put on perfume or hairspray, keep your dog in another room. This will prevent airborne particles from entering the nose. You should also do the same when spraying insect repellants and any other spraying liquid like perfumes.

Frequent Checkups

This should be a common practice to ensure the good health of all your dogs. Booking frequent appointments with the vet will help you identify and find treatments for any infections or allergies your dog might have. That way, you are able to find cures before things become aggravated.

Final Words

Sneezing is very common amongst dogs, and as a new pet owner, you shouldn’t be freaking out. While there are serious issues that sneezing can indicate, most dogs sneeze out of playing and breathing in airborne particles.

If you were driving yourself nuts trying to answer the question, why is my dog sneezing so much, we hope we were able to help with our in-depth analysis of the causes and prevention methods.

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