Why Is My Dog Sneezing?

There are several different reasons that your dog could be sneezing. Sometimes sneezing may be due to the dog, (breed characteristics), sometimes it may be due to the environment (allergies or foreign bodies), and some sneezing may be due to a serious illness. Having your dog evaluated by a vet, can often times, be the only way to determine what the problem really is. Here is a brief overview of causes of sneezing in dogs-

• Breed Characteristic-Sometimes dogs snore because of who they are. This happens most often to dogs with short snout such as pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese, etc. They are also much more likely to sneeze due to infection or irritating products. Knowing the characteristic of your dog's breed can often put your mind to rest that your dog is just being who she really is.

• Upper respiratory tract infections-These are generally caused by airborne virus, such as Para-influenza virus. Upper respiratory tract infections can also be caused by bacteria, such as Bordetella, Streptococci, etc.


• · Allergies-This type of sneezing is caused by pollens or mold. Dog owners should know that usually the sneezing is accompanied by excessive scratching, paw chewing, licking, and watery eyes. Allergies can also be caused by household chemicals, and other products such as perfumes, cigarette smoke, etc.


• Foreign bodies-These are objects that can become lodged in the dog's nose such as: foxtails, dead bugs, small sticks, tinsels, etc. The dog's defense mechanism is start sneezing in order to remove it. In rare cases, tumors can also cause sneezing. Tumors are usually accompanied by bloody nasal discharge from one side of the nostril.


• Tooth abscesses-This can cause sneezing if an upper canine tooth becomes infected. In dogs, the third upper premolar tooth has roots that penetrate close to the nasal passages. If this tooth or the ones adjacent to it becomes infected, sneezing and nasal drainage are common signs.

Once you are aware of the causes of sneezing you can go about trying to find out what is happening with your dog. Here are some questions that can be helpful in pinpointing the possible cause that is bringing about sneezing in your dog:

• Does the sneezing happen right after a walk in the woods? (Possible cause: foreign bodies in the nostril)


• Does the sneezing begin suddenly and is the sneezing violent? (Possible cause: foreign bodies)


• Does the sneezing happen only in spring or early summer? (Possible cause: seasonal allergy)


• Are the sneezing fits triggered by eating? (Possible cause: food allergy)


• Is the nasal discharge only one-sided? (Possible causes: tumor, tooth abscess, foreign bodies)


• Is the nasal discharge bloody? (Possible causes: foreign bodies, tumor, tooth abscess)


• Is the sneezing accompanied by fever? (Possible causes: tumor, upper respiratory tract infection)

• the nasal discharge is bloody


• the discharge obstructs breathing


• the sneezing continues for more than 3 days, and occurs more than 3-4 times a day


• the dog is weak and cannot eat because of the sneezing

If your vet has ruled out any serious causes for your dog's sneezing there other natural remedies that can be used. Some of these are:

• Ointments of Calendula or Aloe-If your dog's nose becomes red and irritating, because of the nasal discharges that is resulting from sneezing, apply an ointment of either calendula or aloe to the affected area(s).


• Herbs-There are immune-boosting herbs, such as Echinacea, which can be fed to your dog for a week to boost his immune system.


• Antioxidants-Vitamins C and E are known antioxidants, and can be effective in reduce the intensity of the inflammation.

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