Why Is My Dog Sneezing So Much? (And How To Help?)
Dogs tend to explore the world, nose-first - which can open them up to a bit of sneezing trouble, if they're unlucky! Here are all the reasons why your dog is sneezing so much - and what steps you can take right away.
Just like us, even our four-legged buddies can fall prey to the seasonal sniffles. But if you’re finding yourself wondering – why is my dog sneezing so much out of nowhere? – it can be a concerning sign. (Especially if it persists.)
So what’s behind all that sneezing? Let’s dive right into the reasons behind sneezing in dogs, when you should head to your vet, and how keeping track of your buddy’s whereabouts can help you figure out if they’re heading into any sneeze-prone zones in your neighborhood.
Now the occasional sneeze or two is (usually) not a cause for concern. In fact, dogs might even sneeze out of excitement or in the middle of playtime – like to show another playmate that they’re friendly and not a threat.1
Besides, sneezing actually helps your dog’s nose clear out any irritants – or even something that might be stuck inside. So it plays an important role in keeping your buddy healthy, even if it doesn’t sound like it!
But as it turns out, the reasons your dog might be sneezing could range from completely harmless to more serious health issues. With common culprits including:
Your dog’s sense of smell is nothing short of a superpower – it’s at least a million times more sensitive than ours. So watch out for strong scents in your home environment – like:
Air fresheners,
Scented candles,
Deodorants and perfumes,
Cleaning products,
and even some hair sprays – all of which can trigger a sneezing fit.
(Besides other common culprits like smoke and dust.)
⚠️ However, just like us, your buddy can also run into some seasonal allergens – both indoors and outdoors.
Which, if your dog’s developed an allergy, might also turn up as watery eyes, and even coughing. (Meaning, their immune system considers it a threat and is now on “fight mode.”)
Including:
Spring
Heavy pollen in the air can trigger some major sneezing in dogs – especially if your buddy’s already allergic to it.
LIkewise, if your dog spends time outdoors, playing in grass might trigger some sneezing from any pollen there.
Summer
If your dog is allergic to bug bites, it might trigger some sneezing. Watch out for mosquitoes and bees when you’re both out enjoying the sun.
Fall
Fallen leaves, humid air, mold, and even some mushrooms and fungi might irritate your buddy’s respiratory system in the crisp fall months.
Likewise, some plants like ragweed still release pollen during fall months, which can lead to sneezing.
Some fleas can survive even up to the fall months – and cause your buddy a world of discomfort if they’re allergic to flea bites!
Winter
Staying indoors can mean your heating system stirs up some dust, which can also trigger some sneezing – and possibly a dust mite infection.
So keep an ear out for if your buddy tends to sneeze most often after they’ve been outside – or if you’ve kept a window open indoors.2 In these cases, their sneezing might be caused by seasonal allergies and may be on the shorter side.
💡 Now imagine you could tell exactly WHERE your buddy is coming home from – sneezing their heads off?
If your buddy primarily tends to stay indoors, it might be something in your home environment that’s triggering their allergies. (Maybe any dust from sleeping near the floor or exploring under your bed.)
But if your dog spends any amount of time outdoors – where to start? Just about anywhere you two go out on walks together or they explore by themselves could end up triggering an allergy.
💡 So if you’re tracking your buddy’s whereabouts throughout the day, you’re now better informed what spots around your neighborhood they might be running into any allergens.
And with this knowledge, you can:
Avoid these areas altogether,
Warn fellow pet parents about the health risks involved,
Better identify what might be causing your dog’s sneezing – and take an active role in your buddy’s health
Which you can do by hovering over your dog and monitoring their every move 24/7…
🐶 Or just strap a GPS tracker to their collar – and have the peace of mind from always knowing where your dog is….with just a glance at your phone.
Even if your dog is more of a home-buddy – they’re still going to be sniffing around and getting their nose up just about any nook, cranny, and dusty corner they can find. Which means, it’s possible their sneezing might be an attempt to get rid of:
Grass,
Dust,
Dirt,
Sticks,
Pebbles,
Or even small bugs stuck in their nasal passages!
In fact, nasal mites are most common if your buddy tends to dig around or rub their nose in dirt. Their bites often irritate your poor buddy’s nostrils and lead to inflammation.
⚠️ So if your dog is suddenly sneezing out of nowhere – take note. It could just be something stuck in their nose which they’re trying to release.
If it persists or if you see other, alarming signs like thick or bloody discharge – drop by your vet for a checkup.
Infections
If your buddy’s picked up a viral, bacterial, or even fungal infection, it can wreak some havoc on their respiratory system. Which could include health conditions like:
Kennel cough, often accompanied by the parainfluenza virus, which they’re likely to pick up from spots they run into other dogs – like parks or boarding facilities.
Canine influenza, which spreads through nose droplets.
Upper respiratory infections, which your dog can pick up from other dogs at shelters or parks.
Fungal infections, especially from moist and/or rural areas bordering woodland. Some mushrooms can be fatally toxic to dogs, so watch out!
Canine distemper, which is a serious viral infection that includes sneezing, coughing, and even some gastrointestinal symptoms.
Pneumonia, which can develop from both bacterial and viral infections.
Rhinitis or sinusitis, which can result from bacterial or fungal infections, and can lead to an inflammation of your dog’s nose or sinuses.
Watch out for symptoms like excessive nasal discharge and incessant sneezing – and get your dog to a vet right away.
💡See why it’s a good idea to have a log of your dog’s favorite hangout spots around town?
Dogs tend to pick up infections from places they’ve run into other dogs. Which is an important question that’ll come up during your vet visit – i.e., where is your dog likely to have picked up a bug from?
So imagine being able to figure out exactly where – with just a glance at your phone?
Dental diseases, especially from infected gums or abscesses
Tracheal collapse, especially in small or toy dog breeds
Autoimmune conditions, like idiopathic rhinitis, which can cause chronic inflammation of the nasal passages.
In some cases, your dog’s breed can play a role in how much at risk they are for respiratory problems. Brachycephalic dog breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers tend to have short nasal passages and flat faces. This can make it difficult for them to breathe properly – and make it more likely they’ll sneeze, especially when excited or overexerted.
These dogs might also be vulnerable to reverse sneezing – as well as smaller dog breeds in general.
Why is my dog reverse sneezing? And is it cause for concern?
Not always – but it could be, depending on how severe and frequent it is.
Reverse sneezing is when your dog suddenly inhales sharply – kind of like they’re sucking back in a sneeze. They might breathe suddenly and repeatedly through their nose, almost sounding like honking or if they’re having trouble breathing.
In general, reverse sneezing isn’t always a cause for concern. Your dog might even reverse sneeze out of excitement, on some occasions.
But this condition could also be triggered by irritants in the air or inflammation in your dog’s nasal passages.
On other occasions, reverse sneezing helps your dog clear out something irritating the roof of their mouth.
So keep an eye out for how frequent their reverse sneezing is – and take a video for your vet for your checkup.
When to head to your vet
In general, a bit of sneezing really isn’t a reason to panic. But it does count as an emergency if you notice your dog experiencing:
Now most of these symptoms are more “obvious” – meaning, your dog’s body is already fighting against the infection.
💡 So imagine if you could catch on to a sickness or infection early – and get your dog to a vet before their health worsens?
It’s why keeping an eye out for your dog’s energy levels can be a lifesaver.
Meaning, whether your dog now seems more reluctant to go on walks or play together – when they’d once come running at the sound of their leash or the word “Walkies.”
But hey, don’t take our word for it. Here’s what the vets have to say about severe sneezing – and how it can make your dog’s activity levels take a nosedive:
Severe sneezing can also…be characterized by multiple sneezing fits that cause your dog to be lethargic or less active.
Which, if you’ve invested in a Tractive device, has never been easier to do.
💡 With its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity Tracker for dogs. Following your buddy’s every move throughout the day and logging them in as “active minutes.”
Which, with time, can help you figure out:
How active your dog is when they’re normal and healthy,
How active your dog is compared to other, similar dogs around the world.
If there’s a weird drop in your dog’s active minutes, which could signal something’s wrong.
🐶 So you can get your buddy to a vet for a checkup – and catch a sickness before it has a chance to arise.
How your vet might diagnose & treat your dog’s sneezing
Your vet will most likely begin by checking your dog’s nose and throat to rule out any obvious causes of sneezing. (Like foreign objects.)
In more severe cases, they might recommend an X-ray or rhinoscopy, where they’ll use a tiny camera to check inside your dog’s nasal passages.
Your vet might also suggest testing your dog for any allergies – to environmental allergens, but also the commercial dog food you might be feeding them.
Based on what’s causing your dog’s sneezing, your vet might recommend:
Nasal drops or sprays to help clear out your buddy’s nostrils,
Decongestants, to help get rid of any blocking,
Allergy treatments, including antihistamines or specific shots
Antibiotics or antivirals to deal with any secondary infections,
Corticosteroids, in case your buddy’s sneezing is caused by inflammation or tumors
How you can care for your buddy at home
As your dog gets better from their treatment, here are some steps you can take to create a supportive home environment for them:
Do a thorough deep clean indoors to get rid of any indoor irritants that might be triggering your buddy’s sneezing. Which can include dust and smoke, but also cleaners or air fresheners.
Wipe down your buddy extra thoroughly after your walks outdoors to get rid of any pollen. (And don’t skip on their allergy medication!)
Use a humidifier near your dog’s sleeping area to help with any congestion.
Let your dog lie on the bathroom floor with a hot shower running. This can also help with any symptoms as they get better.
Avoid using any over-the-counter medications designed for dealing with colds or sneezing in humans. Many of these aren’t the safest for dogs to ingest and might actually worsen their health!
Follow your vet’s instructions to a T, for the full course of treatment. (Yes, even if your dog seems to be getting better.)
Keep an eye out for any change in your dog’s symptoms. Like, for example, if their active minutes slowly improve – which can indicate they’re getting better!
As your dog gets better and you get the green light from your vet to go back to your normal routine – you do want to ensure your buddy doesn’t run into any spots they picked up the infection from in the first place.
Which is why it’s a good idea to stay aware of your dog’s whereabouts – like where they like to go exploring, if they spend any amount of time outdoors by themselves.
🐶 Dogs tend to explore the world with their noses – which means they’re likely to run into things that trigger sneezing. Including:
Tall grasses, weeds, and foxtails, which can lodge themselves in your dog’s nose. If your buddy tends to have a sudden sneezing fit after running through a field or woodlands, they might have something stuck up in there.
Insects, like bees and ants, which might sting or bite your dog’s nose, causing irritation and sneezing.
Dust or pollen, especially in areas with fruit-bearing trees and flowers.
Debris, including dirt or mulch in parks and gardens, that could end up in your dog’s nose if they root around in mud or sand.
All of which might be in areas you two go to most frequently for walks, hikes, or out running together.
So with the knowledge of where your dog likes to spend most of their time – you’re that much better-equipped to keep them healthy, safe, and sneeze-free, for good.
Say goodbye to the sniffles this season – for good
While the occasional sneeze is no big deal, you’re best off heading off to the vet if you notice your dog:
Sneezing excessively,
Itching or licking themselves more than normal,
Experiencing any thick, bloody nasal discharge or a nasal swelling,
Coughing,
Not eating as much,
Having a fever,
And not moving as much as usual
Which could be due to a combination of:
Airborne irritants,
Seasonal allergies,
Foreign objects in your dog’s nose,
infections,
Or even other more serious respiratory conditions.
That’s why you’re best off staying aware of:
Your dog’s whereabouts – and where they’re off exploring, nose-first,
and when to head to the vet, like if there’s a weird drop in your dog’s energy levels – much before any sneezing.
💡 Both of which you can get with just a glance at your phone – if you’ve invested in a Tractive device.
With its real-time GPS tracking, your trusty Tractive device helps you follow your dog’s every move – as they make their every move.
Helping you figure out whether they’re spending most of their time in any nearby fields, woodland, or around other dogs – all places they might pick up an infection.
And with regular Activity Tracking, you can spot a drop in your dog’s energy and activity levels – which could signal an illness or infection…even before it’s gotten a chance to worsen.
All this in one device – built with love for dogs and for your peace of mind as a dog parent.
Always know where your dog is
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
