You may have wondered a couple of times why your dog is sneezing so much.Dogs have much more advanced noses than humans, their added scent receptors mean that they are far more delicate and sensitive. There are a number of reasons why dogs nasal passages are irritated, which can cause sneezing.When any irritant makes its way into a dogs nasal passages, it triggers sneezing in an efforts to get rid of particles. However, there are times when your dog keeps sneezing in excess. If your pet sneezes violently and in continuous bouts, then it could mean that there something serious is happening health-wise.Too much sneezing could point to allergies, nasal tumors (in the worst-case scenario), nasal mites stuck in their nose or a cold or fever. There are a couple of other symptoms to look out for in this case such as nasal discharge, stuffiness and blood. In this case, treatment is vital in order to get your dog’s health back on track.If you liked this article, do also check out our other articles why do dogs wear cones and why do dogs scratch the bed.Why do dogs sneeze?Dogs may sneeze more than the average human does, due to their highly developed and powerful noses. A dogs sense of smell is almost 10,000 - 100,000 times more powerful and accurate than ours, and they can pick up on even the slightest hint of any scent. Dog sneezes sound quite similar to human sneezes, depending on the breed of the dog.This also means that due to the added scent receptors, their noses can be quite sensitive. Any disturbance to the nasal tract such as any foreign particles can trigger a sneeze. The particles are expelled along with fluid in a spray-like manner through their nose, clearing it of any irritants.As humans, this is completely natural in dogs. However, if excessive sneezing is happening with a number of other symptoms such as a runny nose, a decrease in appetite and stuffiness, then it should be looked into. Excessive sneezing can happen due to a number of other reasons, with some common causes being the following.Dogs, being naturally curious in nature, love poking their noses everywhere and sniffing everything! So it is not surprising that they can sometimes get things lodged up their noses that shouldn’t be there. This can include plant material (such as small flowers or a blade of grass), larger particles of trash, insects. It is more difficult to dislodge these once they enter the dog’s nasal passages, and can cause continuous sneezing. In case your dog inhales something too large to be dislodged naturally or dangerous in nature like seeds of the foxtail weed (which are spiky), it may need surgery to remove it. If you notice your dog having labored breathing or pawing at its nose in a grassy area, its a good idea to leave the garden with your dog immediately and observe their nose.Another pesky insect that can be found in dogs noses are nasal mites, similarly transmitted from dog to dog-like ticks. These pesky creatures reproduce and cause irritation to the noses natural lining, and can cause horrible sneezing, a runny nose and in extreme cases even bloody discharge. Leaving these foreign objects inside for too long can cause your dog to paw itself in the nose repeatedly, which may cause serious injuries as well. If it appears that there is something stuck in your dogs nose nut you find nothing, it may indicate nasal tumors, which can unfortunately develop in older dogs. These cause labored breathing as they restrict the nasal passage, and may ooze a bloody, infected nasal discharge when your dog sneezes.Sneezing along with a runny nose or traces of blood, decrease in appetite and lethargic behavior can point to a cold or fever. In this case, the pet should be taken to the vet and put on medication to subdue the symptoms before they evolve into pneumonia or influenza, which can be quite distressing for dogs and a huge health concern. Dental problems can surprisingly also cause sneezing, as they cause inflammation of the noses lining - due to the roots of the teeth ending at the thin tissue which separates the nasal and oral cavity. Keeping your dog in good dental heath is extremely important, as periodontal diseases can occur very easily and put your dog in a world of excruciating pain.Lastly, dogs, which are allergic to various environmental triggers, are known to sneeze a lot when they come into contact with the allergen. There are a number of fine objects in our surroundings, which count as irritants. Dust, pollen, chemicals and perfume can trigger a dogs sensitive nose and cause temporary, intense bouts of sneezing which cease once the nose is fully clear of all irritating particles. However if you notice this happening regularly, it may be due to an allergy. Allergies can be identified as the sneezing will usually occur with itchiness or painful ear infection. If you suspect your dog has an allergy, take your dog to the vet to identify what all it is allergic to and devise a treatment plan immediately to reduce the discomfort.Why do dogs reverse sneeze?You may have noticed your pet draw in long breaths of air, and it may sound similar to when your dog is sneezing. This is an action known as reverse sneezing.A reverse sneeze, though not exactly a sneeze, is a similar respiratory spasm, which can occur in dogs. However, instead of forcing air out through the nose, it involves sucking in air in repeated bouts while curling the lip inwards and throwing the head back. At first glance, it can seem as though the dog is gasping for air or struggling to breathe.In most cases reverse sneezing in dogs is quite normal, and is simply a reaction to an irritating tickle in the back of the throat, which your pet is trying to get rid of. If the tickle or itch is nearer to the nasal passage, the dog will resolve it by sneezing; however irritants further down near the throat are dealt with by reverse sneezes, as they work better.What does it mean when dogs sneeze while playing?Dogs have often been noticed to “sneeze” while they are playing or are extremely excited by something. Dogs may sometimes get a bit too excited and agitated while playing, especially high energy dogs who may end up barreling everywhere and scaring people. Dogs sneeze during this activity in order to show that they mean no harm and aggression (though it may sound like they do), and that they are merely enjoying themselves.The increased level of activity and energetic behavior of excited dogs such as running around, chasing its tail in circles and jumping onto their owners might also stir up a bit of dust and debris, which can irritate the nose and cause the dog to sneeze for real. As their noses are very sensitive, they do not need much irritation to set themselves off or cause nasal infection!Is it normal for dogs to sneeze when playing?Yes, it is perfectly normal for dogs to sneeze when they play! If your canine buddy is completely healthy and energetic, play sneezing is simply a way for the dog to communicate to those around it that it is not agitated or aggressive in any way but is simply acting hyper for fun. The simple act of play sneezing can put wary people and other dogs at ease as it is a calming signal, and as a bonus dogs look adorable while sneezing!Though sneezing in dogs while playing is more common in smaller breeds, many dogs do it, regardless of their breed. If you feel your dog’s sneezing feels unnatural or is too much, consult a vet to check if there are any serious underlying health problems such as nasal mites, nasal infection or allergies.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do dogs sneeze then why not take a look at why do dogs growl, or Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd facts.
You may have wondered a couple of times why your dog is sneezing so much.
