Why Do Dogs Reverse Sneeze (and Is It Cause for Concern)?
Key takeaways:
Reverse sneezing is a harmless muscle spasm in the back of a dog’s throat that can have various causes, such as allergies or excitement.
Small dogs and certain dog breeds with flatter faces are more prone to experiencing reverse sneezes.
Treatment for reverse sneezes depends on the cause. But most of the time, there isn’t a cause or a need for treatment.
Reverse sneezing in dogs is a muscle spasm in the back of the throat. The spasm makes the windpipe narrow. Dogs will spend about 30 seconds trying to inhale quickly through their nose, causing choking or snorting noises.
During a reverse sneeze, dogs will also extend their necks. And their chests will expand with their rapid breathing. Hearing reverse sneezes and seeing your dog’s body react can be scary. But in most cases, it’s harmless. And despite what it sounds like, your pup isn’t choking.
Read on for the potential causes and what to do if your dog reverse sneezes.
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What causes reverse sneezing in dogs?
There isn’t just one overall cause of reverse sneezing. A wide range of things can make a dog’s throat spasm and spur on a series of reverse sneezes. These causes can include:
Pollen
Household chemicals
Allergies
Mites that live in a dog’s nose
Foreign bodies, like dust
Excitement
Conditions that cause difficulty exercising, like heart disease
Eating or drinking
Basically, anything that irritates the throat can potentially cause a reverse sneeze.
Are certain types of dogs more prone to reverse sneezing?
Yes. Dogs with flat faces — also called brachycephalic dogs — often experience reverse sneezes. The soft part of the roof of their mouths — the soft palate — is too long for their short snouts. When they breathe in, they might suck in their soft palate too. This can cause the throat to spasm.
Brachycephalic dog breeds include:
Pugs
Boston Terriers
Boxers
Bulldogs
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Reverse sneezing can also often occur in smaller dogs. This might be because their throats are small.
Is reverse sneezing in dogs serious?
Despite looking and sounding scary, reverse sneezing isn’t dangerous or harmful to dogs. They will be fine after the episode is over. And reverse sneezes won’t cause any harmful effects afterward.
However, consult your veterinarian if reverse sneezing becomes chronic or if your dog appears to have difficulty breathing. Also, if your dog has other symptoms along with reverse sneezes, they could have an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
Symptoms to watch for can include:
Discharge from their nose
Coughing
Sneezing
Bleeding from their nose
Scratching at their face
Shaking their head
How do you treat reverse sneezing in dogs?
In most cases, treatment isn’t necessary because reverse sneezes aren’t harmful. They pass quickly, and dogs are fine afterward. If needed, treatment will depend on the cause. Sometimes, it’s as simple as changing how you do things around your home.
For example, your dog’s reverse sneezes may be caused by a household item or cleaner. In this case, taking your dog outside when the item is used and safely storing it away could help prevent reverse sneezing.
If your dog is reverse sneezing because of an underlying health issue, you’ll want to visit the vet. Your veterinarian might run various tests to try to find the cause, such as blood work or looking up your dog’s nose (rhinoscopy). From there, your vet can recommend appropriate treatment.
Problems like mites might require medication. Allergies in dogs can be difficult to diagnose, since they usually show up as skin issues. A small number of dogs can have inflammation in the nose. In this case, your veterinarian could prescribe medication, depending on if the inflammation is from bacteria or a fungus.
The bottom line
Reverse sneezes in dogs happen when a muscle spasm in the back of their throat occurs. The spasm can be caused by many things, such as pollen, allergies, or nasal mites. Dogs aren’t in danger when they experience reverse sneezes. They’re also not choking. Reverse sneezes pass quickly, and dogs don’t experience any adverse effects afterward. Consult your veterinarian if you’re concerned about reverse sneezing or if your dog shows other symptoms.
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References
Brooks, W. (2021). Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome in flat-faced dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2022). Allergies: Atopic dermatitis (airborne) in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Kuehn, N. F. (2020). Canine nasal mites. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Kuehn, N. F. (2020). Rhinitis and sinusitis in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Lundgren, B. (2020). Reverse sneezing in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. (2020). Gesundheit! Reverse sneezing in dogs.
Tonozzi, C. C. (2022). Canine nasal mites. Merck Veterinary Manual.
White, S. D., et al. (2020). Allergies in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
