Usually if your dog is sneezing, it is totally normal; every dog sneezes, and it is adorable to watch when they do. But why do they actually sneeze? Well, there can be many different reasons. If your dog is sneezing, that doesn’t mean that he has caught a cold. The reasons your dog is sneezing can be as minor as a reaction to dust or could be as severe as a nasal tumor. But don’t get too scared, dogs can sneeze even when they are excited or playing.

Typically, a dog sneezes because of an irritant that has stuck in his upper airway of the nose. So, it is natural that he sneezes to get rid of that irritant, just like humans. But that’s not the only reason for your dog’s sneezes. This is why we have come up with this guide, which will help you understand bout what could be the possible reason behind your dog’s sneezing.

Why Do Dogs Sneeze?

There are tons of reasons which can make your dog sneeze, and if you have a brachycephalic breed dog like an English bulldog, Boston Terrier, or Pug, they can have respiratory-related medical conditions due to their short nasal passages. So, it would not be a surprise if you see them sneeze often; they naturally have small nasal passages. And if you don’t have such breed, there can be other reasons for sneezing like nasal mites, seasonal allergies, nasal infection, play sneezing or reverse sneezing (we will discuss it later). 

Foreign Objects and Irritants

One of the most common reasons for a dog’s sneeze is foreign objects that get stuck in his nose. There could be a scenario where you take your dog out in the yard, and he starts sniffing everything that comes in his way. Suddenly while sniffing, a piece of grass or soil gets inside his nasal passage. Now to get that foreign object out and relieve himself, he might start sneezing. 

Another common reason is the irritants like perfume, aerosols, hairsprays, etc. that are not very friendly to your dog’s nose. So, whenever you are about to spray any of the above-mentioned irritants, make sure that you keep your dog away from that place till the smell settles down.

Play Sneezing

Yes, you read that right. Dogs do sneeze while playing; commonly when they are excited or when they are about to play with other dogs. When the dog sneezes at such moments, it is called a Play Sneeze, and it has nothing to do with his health. In fact, it is a positive sign that your dog is in a happy mood.

Usually, when a dog play sneezes, he is sending a pleasing signal to the other dogs, which tells that he is having a fun time. They can also play sneeze to tell the other dogs that they are only in the mood of playing and must not be taken as fight contenders. You can say that play sneezes are a kind of communication between dogs, and you must enjoy watching them do it.

Nasal Mites

Nasal mites are something that is to be taken very seriously. If your dog is frequently sneezing, discharging from the nose, suffering from nasal bleeding, head shaking or doing anything to his face in a feeling of discomfort, there are quite good chances that he might be suffering from nasal mites. Nasal mites are tiny bugs that shift into your dog’s nasal passage and start to breed, which can be very uncomfortable for your dog. 

The good news is that you can see nasal mites with your naked eye. If you feel like your dog is suffering from nasal mites, you need to take it to a vet as soon as possible. Meanwhile, keep him away from other dogs, as the mites can move from one dog to another.

Nasal Infection

Apart from nasal mites, sneezing can be caused by a nasal infection called Aspergillosis, which is not so rare among dogs. This particular kind of infection occurs when your dog sniffs a special species of mold found in dust, hay, or grass. Suffering from nasal infection is certainly not a very pleasing experience as it can cause your dog to sneeze and his nose to run, even bleed. It can also cause reduced appetite and a swollen nose. 

Another kind of nasal infection that is common among dogs is sinusitis, and it also causes them to sneeze. In the case of sinusitis, your dog can suffer from severe inflammations in the nose and interior nasal passages. If you have slightest of doubt that your dog is suffering from a nasal infection, take him straight to a veterinarian.

Nasal Tumor

This might be the scariest reason why dogs sneeze. Older dogs and long-nosed breeds like Collies, Great Danes, and dachshunds are more prone to these tumors. These nasal tumors are also a reason why dogs develop cancers, and 80 percent of these nasal tumors are fatal for dogs. 

There are different symptoms of nasal tumors, including sneezing, difficulty in breathing, coughing, facial swelling, and nasal bleeding. The reason why these tumors are so fatal is the fact that the nose is very close to the brain. If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms, it is wise to take him to a vet hospital to get him thoroughly checked.

Reverse Sneezing

Do you feel like your dog is sneezing? Well, he might actually be reverse sneezing. Reverse sneezing is not like a normal sneeze in which the air is exhaled; in fact, it is totally opposite. In reverse sneezing, a dog sucks in the air very quickly and very forcefully.  

The dogs usually reverse sneeze when trying to get rid of a foreign object like dust or any other irritant from their nasopharynx. While it might look very unusual when your dog is continuously snorting loudly for half a minute or so, it is totally normal. However, reverse sneezing could be a sign of nasal mites, so it is always good to consult a vet.  

Wrap Up

If you were confused about why your dog sneezes before reading this article, we hope that reading the article helped in clearing up your mind. In this article, we tried to tell you different reasons why dogs sneeze, and by now, you know what is normal and what is not. You are the owner of your dog, and you know him better than anyone else. A quick call to a veterinarian is always a wise idea if you think there might be something off with your dog.