Sneezing in dogs

Overview

• Sneezing is a burst of air out of the nose and mouth, it is a reaction to something irritating the nose.
• An occasional sneeze can be completely normal, but ongoing sneezing can be caused by something stuck in the nose, an infection, allergies, or a growth inside the nose.
• Contact your vet for advice if your dog is sneezing a lot, if they are distressed and/or if they have other symptoms.

What is sneezing?

A sneeze is the sudden passing of air out through the nose and mouth. The purpose of sneezing is to protect the airways by getting rid of anything nasty or irritating in the nose. All dogs can sneeze, but brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs are more prone to sneezing because of their narrowed airways.

Irritation in the throat can cause reverse sneezing, which is when a dog rapidly sucks air into their nose.

Causes of sneezing in dogs

Occasional sneezing can be normal in dogs if something has irritated their nose such as dirt or dust. Some common household products such as air fresheners or perfume can also irritate your dog’s nose. Usually the sneeze will successfully remove the irritant and the sneezing will stop. However there are other causes of sneezing that will last longer, including:

• A bacterial or viral infection usually causes coughing but can sometimes cause sneezing
• A fungal infection
• Mites in the nose
• Something stuck in the nose, like a grass seed
• Allergies usually cause skin problems, but can also cause sneezing
• A growth inside the nose, such as a cyst or a tumour

How will my vet diagnose sneezing?

Your vet will examine your dog and ask you questions about your dog’s sneezing and whether there are any other symptoms, such as a runny nose and/or swelling on the face.

Further testing will depend on what your vet thinks might be causing the sneezing, but might include looking up the nose with a special camera under an anaesthetic, taking X-rays and flushing liquid through the nose. Further testing might be needed, such as biopsy (removing a small sample from inside the nose) or a CT scan.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the sneezing, for example if your vet finds something stuck in your dog’s nose they will remove it, or if there is an infection they might prescribe medication.

When to contact your vet

Sneezing on occasion is normal, but if your dog is sneezing a lot, is affected by their sneezing or if they have other symptoms such as a runny nose, bleeding from the nose, a painful nose, or a swelling on their face, you should contact your vet for advice. Contact your vet immediately if your dog is having trouble breathing.

You know your dog best, always contact your vet if you’re concerned.

Published: June 2023