Why Do Dogs Sneeze? 5 Explanations You Need to Know

Have you seen your dog sneeze lately? It might look adorable, but it might be a cause for concern. As a responsible dog owner, you need to be extra attentive to the possible reasons why your dog sneezes. Sneezing one to two times might not be that dangerous. However, sneezing frequently may be a sign of something more worrying. The possible answers to the question “why do dogs sneeze” is listed below. 

Smelled Something Irritating

There is a long list of irritants that may trigger sneezing. Some common examples include pollen, dust, and fungi. If your dog ends up sniffing any of these irritants, he/she might keep on sneezing. If the sneezing is caused by Aspergillus, a type of fungi found in soil, you can also expect nosebleeding and severe nasal irritation. If you suspect Aspergillosis or any similar type of infection, you should have you go check.   

Excited During Playtime

Excitement is among the top causes of dog sneezing. If you see your fur baby sneeze when playing with you or another dog, then you don’t have to worry. It’s quite normal for pooches to behave this way. You can observe this behavior among small dog breeds. However, it can sometimes happen to large breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Great Dane. 

Something Stuck In The Nose

There are many instances when dog owners think that their pups are sneezing when in fact they are snorting. Experts explain that dog snorting happens when the airways of your pooch get obstructed. As a result, your dog tries to expel the object stuck in his/her nose by snorting. Once your dog expels the object, the snorting or sneezing will stop.

Your Dog is Brachycephalic 

Brachycephalic dogs are characterized by their flat face and short nose. A few examples of brachycephalic pooches include Pugs, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Bull Mastiffs, and Chihuahuas. If you have a brachycephalic dog, then you don’t have to worry that much about him/her sneezing.

Tumor?

Sadly, persistent sneezing can be caused by a tumor inside the nasal packages. This type of tumor can be triggered by secondhand smoke especially among dogs with a long snout. If you notice frequent sneezing that is not caused by the issues enumerated above, then you definitely need to have your pooch diagnosed by a vet. The sooner you have your dog checked, the better prognosis you can expect. 

Sploot View: Usually Harmless

Seeing your dogs sneeze can be a bit worrying especially if you’re not sure what’s causing it. The symptom might be caused by an underlying medical condition. It can also be caused by a viral or bacterial pathogen. Additionally, it can arise from non-insidious causes such as excitement and playtime. Understanding the reason will help you determine the best course of action to take.

We hope we were able to answer your question, why do dogs sneeze. Are there other questions about dogs that you want us to answer? Don’t hesitate to send us a message!