A sneezing dog may look cute, but when you see your dog sneezing non-stop you should probably start worrying!
In this article, we’ll be providing some basic information regarding the factors behind a dog’s propensity to sneeze uncontrollably, as well as the most common methods employed to tackle these sneezing problems.
Why is my dog sneezing uncontrollably?
You would be surprised to learn that sneezing is actually a good thing! Our bodies are packed with defence mechanisms to rid themselves of foreign matter and dangerous pathogens. However, just as with any other mechanism, our bodies could be overloaded by these agents and start sneezing uncontrollably.
The same is true in the case of dogs. Their bodies reject things such as dust, pollen, and aerosols. They could also occasionally sneeze out of playfulness, which is why we would often find these antics adorable.
Dogs most commonly sneeze due to infections with viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungus. Parasites like nasal mites and foreign bodies like awns and grass leaves are also likely causes. Less commonly allergies and tumours can cause a dog to sneeze uncontrollably.
With that said, these are the possible causes of sneezing in dogs:
Allergies
Dogs may sneeze due to several reasons, but, most typically, sneezing attacks in dogs could stem from allergic reactions to things lingering in the air or the food they eat.
Allergies are, roughly speaking, sensitivities that bodies develop to stuff that they regularly interact with but that aren’t overly damaging to them.
The immune system in dogs, just like in humans, is like a stronghold that keeps invading bodies at bay, but, at times, it may get “glitched” [1] and confuse allies for foes, or may overreact to certain stuff that could appear more harmful than they really are. As a result, it starts releasing histamines indiscriminately, rendering inflammation and other negative effects.
Several agents are prone to trigger allergic reactions in the skin or respiratory tract. These are called “allergens” and affect a generality of subjects.
Seasonal allergies are a good example of this. During springtime, a lot of pollen travels through the air, setting off allergic reactions in millions of people worldwide. Dogs are not excluded from these drawbacks.
Going back to allergens, as disclosed earlier, these are substances or bodies that, while not dangerous in themselves, can be deemed dangerous by the immune system. This is one of the few cases in which the immune system “turns against the subject” and causes more harm than good.
Dogs can develop sensitivity to these allergens and, as a result, they would sneeze involuntarily in an attempt to expel them from their bodies. The allergens that cause sneezing are, for the most part, airborne, meaning that they enter through the respiratory system.
Oftentimes, this sneezing can get obnoxious and persistent, especially in a dusty environment or in places with a high pollen count. We would be able to easily detect cases of allergic sneezing, for these reactions are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as watery eyes and itchiness.
We will get back to this later. In the meantime, let’s explore other causes of uncontrollable sneezing in dogs.
Foreign bodies
We should be wary when our dogs start sneezing non-stop for no discernible reason. In these cases, sneezing could be the result of foreign material clogging or getting stuck to their nasal passages. The interaction of these materials with the intranasal tissue can cause extreme irritation and discomfort, and our dogs would sneeze as a reaction.
Nasal infection
The underlying problem might likewise be infectious in nature. Diseases such as bacterial, viral, or fungal rhinitis/sinusitis may induce violent sneezing attacks. These infections could be the result of an abscessed tooth root. Other signs of infection include laboured breathing and heavy mucous discharge, among others.
In some circumstances, what at first appears to be a sneezing attack is, in fact, a coughing attack, in which case, your dog could be dealing with a case of kennel cough [2], which is a highly infectious condition that demands prompt veterinarian attention. You can distinguish a cough from a sneeze by the presence of a “honking” sound.
Nasal tumour
These are extremely rare, although you should have your dogs checked for any signs of tumorous formations when they’re over seven years of age.
Constant sneezing may be a symptom of nasal squamous cell carcinoma in dogs, which are abnormal cell growths in the squamous epithelium inside the nose and paranasal sinuses.
In these situations, sneezing is coupled with other signs such as halitosis (bad breath), bloody or extremely runny nose, loss of appetite, bulging eyes, and nose deformation.
Nasal mites
Nasal mites are bugs that make their abode inside a dog’s nose and produce nasal irritation, prompting sneezing episodes, at times combined with viscous (and sometimes bloody) discharges. Your dog can get these bugs by digging or rubbing its nose in the dirt.
Play sneezing
Dogs are curious animals that show excitement by sneezing. They would usually sneeze during playdates to show the other party that they don’t mean to be offensive, much like how humans would wink or grin.
Reverse sneezing
In some cases, your dog would make a weird choking or gasping noise as it makes a long inspiration. Contrary to what appears to be an abnormal event, reverse sneezing does not necessarily comport with any ill condition, nor would it result in illness, but you ought to rule out any underlying issue by consulting your vet.
How to stop a dog sneezing attack?
Considering that there are several causes of sneezing attacks in dogs, the best way to determine proper treatment is by having your dog examined by a capable veterinarian.
At times, we’re tempted to administer human medication to our dogs, expecting some sort of relief. However, while we may self-medicate at regular intervals, dogs don’t react to these tactics in the same manner. In fact, they may not react well at all, either because we gave them too much or because they’re simply intolerant to the components contained in these human meds.
When it comes to sneezing as an allergic reaction, your veterinarian could prescribe certain antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin, as well as prescription drugs that tackle itchiness.
During reverse-sneezing episodes, you may calm your dog down by gently stroking its neck, though these are over in less than a minute for the most part.
Home remedies for sneezing dog
If your dog is suffering from uncontrollable sneezing, whatever the cause may be, you can apply some measures around your house to ease its agony.
These are some of the best home remedies for a sneezing dog:
1. Humidifier
One of the first factors you should look after is humidity. A good dose of warm steam is greatly effective in reducing gunk buildups inside your dog’s nose by making it less viscous. In the absence of a good humidifier, you could leave your bathroom door open as you take a hot shower. The steam emitted from the hot water should definitely help.
2. Chicken soup
Chicken soup has been the go-to home remedy for humans “under the weather”. Dogs can also appreciate a good chicken broth – with some veggies to boot – to help them fight infection. Do not serve them a hot bowl!
Allow for the soup to cool down somewhat and serve while lukewarm.
3. Water
This should go without saying, but for the purposes of this writing, it bears repeating. Hydration is one of the most important and overlooked aspects of a swift recovery. A bowl of chicken broth could also provide the necessary hydration, in case your dog is not in the mood for pure water.
4 . Sleep
Sleep is another important element within the recovery phase. The human body needs sleep in order to boost the production of cytokines, which are molecules that reinforce the immune system in its fight against pathogens [3]. It also aids in improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and healing wounds faster.
The same principle holds in the case of dogs. Getting good sleep is crucial, which is why it’s convenient to limit your pet’s morning exercise routine and create a nice and cosy environment around its sleeping area.
How can I help my dog with allergies sneezing?
It’s a bit more difficult to control sneezing caused by allergic reactions. Though some of the remedies provided above should help matters somewhat, at times, they’re simply not enough, especially when dealing with seasonal allergies. Just in case, always make sure that your house is properly ventilated and vacuumed.
Sneezing is often provoked by airborne allergens, but foodborne allergens could also be the reason. At times, these could overlap, but that’s not a common phenomenon. We wholly recommend that you endeavour to find the source of this allergic reaction with the help of a professional vet.
Distinguishing between airborne and foodborne allergies is a complex process, for the symptomatology may be roughly similar in both scenarios. Your vet would undergo various tests on your pet to determine the allergen responsible for sneezing attacks. Then, he/she would prescribe antihistamines such as the ones we mentioned above (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, etc.)
Finally, don’t automatically discard foodborne allergens under the pretext that you have not changed your dog’s diet. Keep in mind that some dog food providers can occasionally change the formula in their products.
References:
[1] Genetic glitch at the root of allergies revealed: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130724200603.htm
[2] Kennel cough: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/kennel-cough-in-dogs/
[3] Sleep and recovery: https://www.sleep.org/how-sleep-works/how-sleep-adds-muscle/