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Dog sneezes are common and often cute! Our canine companions squeeze their eyes shut and scrunch up their noses right before a big achhoooo. But there are many reasons dogs sneeze, ranging from playful behavior and communication to more serious reasons health concerns. You could even say it’s nothing to sneeze at.
Just like humans, dogs sneeze for lots of reasons. Some sneezes are more serious than others.
The most common reason dogs sneeze is because they inhaled something irritating that’s stuck in their nose. This is why dogs sneeze after sticking their snout into the grass or digging in the dirt.
Sometimes they’ll smell something irritating, like perfume, household products and cleaners, or dust that makes them sneeze.
Dogs use their sneezes to communicate with humans and other animals. Sneezes are just one method of communicating, just like a dog’s body language or facial expressions.
In fact, one 2017 study found that wild African dogs used sneezes for negotiating that shaped collective decision making.
When dogs play together, they constantly communicate through sneezes.
Dogs will also use sneezes as a “calming signal” to show that they need to slow down, take a break, or express that they are comfortable with what’s happening.
Many dogs like to sneeze when they play with other dogs or humans. This “play sneezing” is normal and something dogs use to show that they are excited and having a good time. Dogs will also use play sneezing to show that their behavior is only playful.
Dogs also tend to curl their lips while they are playing a fun activity. This lip curl creates a wrinkled nose that can cause their body to erupt in a sneeze. Playful sneezes tend to be a short snort that comes from the nose instead of the lungs.
Dogs sometimes “fake sneeze” to get attention or express an interest in playing.
If your dog sneezes around meal time or regular walk times, there’s a chance they are fake sneezing to get what they want.
When a dog fake sneezes, they tend to watch you as they sneeze to make sure they’ve got your attention. They may even move closer and sneeze on or near you so you can’t ignore them.
Sneezing is actually healthy because the body is doing what it needs to do. It can also be a symptom of a mild health condition, like a cold.
But sometimes it can be a sign of more serious teeth or nasal passage problems. There may be a nasal obstruction that could range from a piece of grass to a cancerous tumor.
Just like humans, sometimes dogs sneeze because of pollen from seasonal pet allergies.
Brachycephalic breeds have more difficulty breathing because of the shape of their muzzle and throat. These breeds, including Pugs, Pekingese, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers have compressed nasal passages that make them more likely to sneeze.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to their environment. They’re able to leverage their sense of smell to find a hidden treat, hunt creatures, and scent out unfamiliar dogs on their territory.
Reverse sneezes, which are sudden and repeated inhalations through the nose, are reactions to inflammation, irritants, or excitement. Reverse sneezes are common to toy breeds like Terriers.
Why do dogs sneeze excited? They’re simply and truly just excited!
Why do dogs sneeze when they’re excited? When dogs are in an excited state, they often sneeze more shallowly, emitting a snorting sound caused by a sudden force of breath from the nose.
“These are not sneezes the way we think of a sneeze in people: a respiratory response from deep down,” says Debra Eldredge, DVM. “This is more like a child fooling around and pretending to sneeze.” Such sneezes are a form of canine communication, says the Vernon, New York, veterinarian and author. They happen frequently during play, when dogs naturally get excited. “This can be a ‘remember it is just play’ sound, something to cool things off if they are getting a bit heated. The sneeze communicates that the dogs are playing,” Dr. Eldredge says. “Turid Rugaas was one of the first people to really categorize dog interactions.”
Fake Sneezing is a Form of Dog Communication
Your dog has yet to master the mouth movement necessary to form human sound into recognizable words. Because of this, they are forced to get creative in communicating with you on a daily basis.
They do this in many different forms including:
And fake sneezing is just another form of audible communication that your dog has picked up on because it warrants your attention more times than not.
Think about it. What do you do when your dog sneezes? You stop and look at them. This is exactly what they want you to do.
You looking at them is the positive reinforcement they were looking for in order to continue justifying this behavior.
Dogs can even use the fake sneeze as a calming call to other dogs around them. This is most likely what’s happening if you hear your dog fake sneeze in a large dog crowd at the park.
Dogs can exhibit over 30 different calming signals and have become effective in communicating a need for a break or a rest. Again, a sneeze is one of those signals.
Be vigilant in learning to communicate effectively with your dog. Over time you will begin to know exactly what each whimper, grunt, strut, jump and sneeze means.
Why Do Dogs Sneeze When Excited or Playing?
Have you noticed your dog sneezing recently? Sneezing is fairly common in dogs, but if your dog is sneezing a lot, you might find yourself wondering if they’re really okay. Frequent sneezing can be alarming and concerning whether you’ve had dogs before or this is your first canine friend.
In the article below, you’ll find more information about what might be causing your dog to sneeze. Read through these possibilities and use them to help you determine whether or not you should take your dog to the Lakeland Animal Clinic for a further checkup. If you still have questions, give us a call at (863) 688-3338.
Seasonal allergies are a common cause of sneezing in dogs. If your dog sneezes most often after they’ve been outside or when a window is open in your home, then seasonal allergies are probably the cause of the issue.
Your dog may need allergy medication for the times of the year when pollen counts are high. They might also need steroids for serious allergic attacks, but your vet will be able to give you more information about the best way to treat this problem.
Dogs with food allergies may also sneeze more often than dogs without them. Although food allergies tend to target the skin, coat, and digestive system more than the respiratory system, they can still cause sneezing in affected dogs. If your dog’s sneezing seems to ramp up within a couple of hours after they have last eaten, this could be the reason why.
To manage a food allergy, try giving your dog foods with other protein sources and high-quality ingredients. Work slowly so your dog’s stomach doesn’t become upset by changing their food too often. Eventually, you are sure to find the right choice for their needs.
When dogs sniff items, those items may sometimes get lodged in the nasal passage. This is not a very common problem, but it can occur, especially when a dog has recently been checking out smaller objects like broken pieces of their toys.
If you think your dog might have inhaled a foreign object, take them to the emergency vet immediately. They may have something blocking their airway, or the problem might simply be in her nose. Either way, they will need to have the item removed by a medical professional, and they will need to be checked for other signs of issues as well.
If your dog has a nasal tumor, they may develop a frequent, ongoing sneeze that worsens with time. The bigger the tumor gets, the more likely it will be to cause them to sneeze. They may also have other upper respiratory symptoms as the tumor grows, including wheezing, coughing, and a runny nose.
Your vet will work with you to determine the best course of action for a dog with a nasal tumor. Many times, these tumors can be removed; sometimes, they require chemotherapy or other forms of treatment to help them shrink.
Dental problems may cause sneezing in dogs, especially if the problem is left untreated for too long. Tumors of the mouth and gums, abscesses on the gums, rotten or damaged teeth, infections of the roots of the teeth, and other similar dental problems can all lead to sneezing, among a variety of other symptoms.
You may be able to look in your dog’s mouth and see the problem, but you might not. Your vet will likely need to perform a dental examination and may need to put your dog under anesthesia to clean and manage the teeth from there.
Finally, the last and most common cause of sneezing in dogs is simply normal dog communication. Dogs are prone to sneezing and use it to “talk” to one another. They also try to communicate with their human families the same way. Dogs may sneeze when they are excited, happy, or showing submission to other dogs, for example.
If your dog’s sneezing seems to happen most often when they’re excited about a walk or greeting you at the door, then there likely isn’t any cause for concern. This is normal dog sneezing and should be regarded as part of having a dog!
Most of the causes of sneezing in dogs are benign ones, and there usually isn’t much to worry about if your dog is just sneezing a little bit. However, if you notice your dog sneezing very frequently and the problem doesn’t seem to clear up in a few days—or if it gets worse over time—then this is a good sign they need to go to the vet for a checkup.
Your vet will likely perform bloodwork and may take an X-ray to determine what might be causing your dog’s sneezing problem. Treatment options will be discussed from there. If you have any questions, feel free to call Lakeland Animal Clinic at (863) 688-3338.