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May 28, 2023

Why Is My Dog Sneezing a Lot? 8 Causes and What to Do

Even the tiniest

Even the tiniest Chihuahua can sneeze impressively loudly when opportunity strikes.

Dogs often sneeze for the same reasons people do: something like pollen or dust tickles their nose, and their body forces it out. Your furry friend may also sneeze for dog-specific reasons, like communicating during play.

The occasional sneeze is usually nothing to lose sleep over. Constant sneezing, however, may pose more of a concern, since some rare causes of frequent sneezing, like tumors or tooth abscesses, can become dangerous if left untreated.

It's also worth paying attention to sneezing that occurs with other signs of illness, like coughing, bloody snot, and teary eyes.

Below, find eight possible reasons why your dog is suddenly sneezing all the time, plus guidance from vets on what to do about it.

Note: Dogs usually sneeze air outward, but they can also do reverse sneezing, which sucks air inward. Reverse sneezes happen less often, though they're more common in smaller breeds. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between the two types of sneezes.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, so their noses react to things most humans would barely notice.

For example, a nearby spritz of perfume or dirt up their nose may spur sudden sneezing, says Sophie Whoriskey, veterinarian and senior writer at Floofy Doodles. The sneezing fit should end quickly once your dog gets some fresh air.

Some dogs may also develop seasonal allergies to ragweed, mold, or tree pollen. These allergens can cause long-term inflammation and swelling in your dog's nose, Whoriskey says — which can lead to persistent sneezing.

In addition to sneezing, other common symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs include:

Note: Keep catching your dog scooting their butt across the floor? This can be a sign of allergies, too. Canine allergies often show up as skin symptoms — including itching and irritation in delicate areas.

"You might hear a dog 'sneeze' when they're playing or happy to see a friend," says Russell Hartstein, certified pet behaviorist and trainer and founder of Fun Paw Care.

This type of sneeze, however, isn't quite the same as the automatic, biological sneeze you might hear if your dog has allergies. Hartstein says it's more of a huff or sigh where your dog consciously blows out air.

This "fake sneeze" is your dog's way of telling you they're excited and having fun. If they're play-wrestling with you, this type of sneeze can translate as "just kidding" — so you don't take their growling and nipping seriously.

You'll generally notice this kind of sneezing during playtime, walks, or when your dog meets other dogs. You may also see your pet curl their lip or wrinkle their nose just before the fake sneeze.

Microorganisms that invade your dog's nose may cause:

This swelling can make it harder for your dog's nose to filter air, which exposes them to heavier loads of dust and other irritants. And of course, more stuff in the nose generally means more sneezing.

Several pathogens can cause rhinitis and sinusitis:

Sneezing and reverse sneezing are both common with rhinitis and sinusitis. Regardless of which condition your dog has, they may also have these common symptoms:

In case you haven't heard, most dogs love attention — and they'll do all sorts of things to get it, like rubbing against you, howling, or giving you puppy-dog eyes from the floor. Sneezing is a loud and easy behavior your dog may learn to use to get all eyes on them.

When your pet sneezes cutely, you may feel tempted to coo and fuss over them. But your ooh-ing and aww-ing may teach your dog to sneeze whenever they want your attention, Hartstein says. So long as you keep rewarding the behavior, they'll likely continue sneezing.

A bout of sneezing could be a bid for attention if your dog:

A good sneeze can usually throw out any dirt or microbes stuck in your dog's nose. Larger objects, however, may be harder to dislodge.

In one 2020 study, 90% of foreign objects found in dog's noses were some kind of grass seed. Other objects found in dog's noses include:

If your dog has snorted up a larger object, it may be stuck in their nose no matter how much they try to sneeze it out — but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll stop trying.

Along with sneezing, they may also:

Note: Dogs who work outdoors are more likely to sniff up things they can't sneeze back out, since hunting and herding requires them to stick their noses to the ground. Dogs with flat snouts also have a higher risk of getting objects stuck in their nose, since narrow airways can easily trap objects.

Sometimes the thing stuck up your dog's nose isn't a pebble or a seed, but a bug.

Canine nasal mites are tiny, pale insects that often make their homes in dogs' noses. Scientists aren't entirely sure how they transfer from dog to dog, but a common theory suggests they travel between hosts when dogs sniff each other.

Vets tend to find mite infestations in larger breeds, although any kind of dog can get them. Adult dogs over the age of 3 are more likely to have mites than puppies.

Some signs your dog may have nasal mites include:

If your dog has a habit of chewing on hard things, like bones, furniture, or the bars of their crate, their teeth may chip. This breakage allows bacteria to sneak into the tissue inside and underneath the tooth and grow into a painful infection called an abscess.

Without treatment, an infection in your dog's mouth can spread to surrounding tissues like the nose or eye, which may start leaking discharge to flush the bacteria out. This discharge can tickle your dog's nose and prompt them to sneeze.

Some signs your dog has a tooth abscess include:

On very rare occasions, the source of your dog's sneezing could be cancer.

Around 1% of all dog cancers involve nasal tumors, which appear when the cells lining your dog's nose multiply out of control. These cells grow into masses that clog your dog's airways, prompting them to sneeze.

Dogs exposed to cigarette smoke or urban pollution are more likely to develop nose cancer. Breeds with long snouts, such as bloodhounds or whippets, also have more of a risk. That said, cancer can affect any dog, no matter their living situation or breed.

Nasal tumors may cause nasal discharge or difficulty breathing. Other signs specifically linked to nose cancer include:

In rare cases, nasal tumors can spread to the brain and cause neurological issues, like seizures or sudden blindness.

According to Whoriskey, you should schedule a vet appointment for your sneezing dog if they:

The above symptoms could point to a number of conditions, but they all signal a possible medical issue. Whoriskey says it's essential to take your dog to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis, since treatment generally works best when you catch a disease early.

Your vet may perform multiple tests to make a diagnosis, including:

Sometimes dogs sneeze just to be playful or ask for attention. These "fake" sneezes are perfectly natural, but you can always address them with more playtime and training at home.

Other times, your dog's sneezing comes from a physical issue that may require treatment from a vet — like allergies, infection, or a mite infestation.

Chances are, your dog's sneezing is no big deal. But sneezing combined with other symptoms, like a bloody nose, trouble breathing, or refusing to let you touch their head, could mean there's something wrong with your dog's sniffer. So, you'll want to take them to the vet as soon as you can.