A dog sneezing once in a while can be termed as cute and harmless. But non-stop sneezing can signify something worse. Continue reading to find out the common reasons for your dog sneezing. How to know if it’s nothing serious and how you can help your best friend overcome his/her sneezing problem.
Dog Sneezing Causes and their prevention:
Foreign Particles:
This is the most common cause of sneezing in dogs. The air has many flying particles in it including pollen grains, dust, dirt, or similar small particles that can cause sneezing in dogs. These particles can remain stuck inside the dog’s nasal passage or the pharynx and can irritate their nose, the only way for the dog to clear up the nose is to constantly sneeze. Other than that, perfumes, smoke or, even volatile chemicals can be reasons for a sneezing dog.
Prevention:
If there are foreign particles stuck inside your dog’s nose, the best thing to do is to take him to a vet. Don’t try to clean up his nose by yourself as you may end up scratching the inside of his nose and hurting your dog even further. If the sneezing is caused due to smoke or perfumes in the air, taking your dog somewhere with fresh air should help.
Allergies:
Just like humans, dogs have allergies as well that can cause sneezing! While most allergies in dogs can be caused by food like chicken, eggs, or, beef allergies caused by the environment are still considered a prime cause. Be it dust, or other environmental allergens that vary from region to region. If your dog is wheezing along with a runny nose and watery eyes, it’s a sign that your dog has seasonal allergies.
Prevention:
In case of dust allergies, you’d want to keep your house or your pup’s playing environment clean. Allergies can also be prevented by promoting the intake of immunity supplements in your dog which will greatly strengthen your dog’s immune system. To identify what foods can cause allergies in your dog, you can try getting an allergy test with the vet. Not giving your dog food they’re allergic to is a wise thing to do to prevent them from sneezing.
Common Cold:
Dogs can get affected by the common cold as well just like humans. Signs of a common cold are the same as us like the discharge of thick mucus from the nose, watery eyes, fever, and loss of appetite.
Prevention:
Making sure that your dog takes in food that will help boost their immune system can help prevent viral infections as well. If the cold gets worse, consider taking your dog to the vet.
Infections:
Other than viral infections, bacterial infections can result in a sneezing dog as well. Infections inside the nasal cavity or even in the teeth can cause your dog to sneeze. Respiratory infections like Parainfluenza and Adenovirus can cause sneezing in dogs as well. Sneezing isn’t the only symptom that you might see, thick mucus discharge from the nose, bloody discharge, loss of appetite, watery eyes, breathing issues, swollen lymph glands, loss of energy are some other symptoms you may see in your dog if he has infections.
Prevention:
You should set up an appointment with the pet doc, as soon as you see any symptoms in your dog. Normally, infections like Parainfluenza and Adenovirus can be prevented by getting your dog vaccinated. With booster shots being administered regularly, these problems can be easily avoided. Please do not take Infections lightly and make sure you’re taking your dog to the vet in time.
Tumors:
It is very rare but a possible cause for sneezing in dogs. Canines who have gotten a bit older can have tumors grow inside their nasal passage. With being rare, this is also the most dangerous cause for a dog’s sneeze. 1% of all cancers in dogs are caused by nasal tumors. Symptoms include infrequent sneezing at first followed by an
- increase in frequency,
- bloody discharge from the nose,
- swelling around the nose,
- coughing,
- and wheezing
Prevention:
Taking your pooch to the vet is the first thing you should do when you see he/she has a bloody nose. Or even if the other symptoms match. To confirm whether it’s a tumor or not your vet may choose to do an MRI, X-ray, or CT Scan on your dog. Nasal tumors are rare in dogs. But when it does occur it can prove to be really harmful to your canine. So take your dog for regular checkups with the vet to identify the problem in time and to start treating them.
Nasal mites:
Canine nasal mites are very small parasites that can be found in the paranasal sinuses or the nasal passages of a dog. They can survive up to 19 days feeding off its host. Just like other parasites, nasal mites can transfer themselves from one host to another. They can have symptoms like your dog frequently itching their nose, sneezing, bloody discharge, rhinitis, or coughing. You may also spot the mites when they come out with the nasal discharge of your dog.
Prevention:
If your vet has diagnosed your dog and has confirmed the presence of nasal mites, they can choose to do a nasal endoscopy, a CT scan, or a nasal biopsy. Getting an external heat source can bring out the mites as well from the internal nasal passages. Antiparasitic medicines can easily get rid of mites in dogs.
Playful Sneezing:
Playful sneezing is harmless and this is how dogs communicate when they’re excited or in a mood to play. If noticed, you’d have probably seen your dog playfully sneeze a lot of times when they’re excited or playing with you. Dirt or dust intake are not necessarily the causes but due to your dog trying to tell you that it’s time to play, or they are excited to see you. They also use it to communicate with other canines and let them know that they’re just playing and it’s for fun when things might get a bit rough between them. It’s just a sign that they give off to keep things safe, fun, and light.
Prevention:
There’s nothing to worry about with playful sneezing. It’s just your dog enjoying their time with you or their playmates. It shows that your dog is happy and filled with joy at that moment. So just enjoy watching your best friend having a great time and letting out some cute playful sneezes.
2. Home remedies for a sneezing dog:
If your dog’s sneezing isn’t that serious going by the symptoms they’re showing you can choose to treat them at home. These remedies may only help in getting rid of the common cold or seasonal flu but it’s best to get medical help, these are the few things that you can choose to do:
Humidity:
If you suspect that your dog has a dry nose caused by all the sneezing, you can try installing a humidifier beside him. It may also help in fixing issues like dry cough and will greatly comfort your dog. If you lack a humidifier at home, you can try turning on the hot shower and letting your dog stay in the bathroom for an hour or so. The vapor will help comfort your dog’s nose.
Food Intake:
Just like humans, dogs need a good diet that would boost their immune system and promote good health in them in general. Brussel sprouts could be a great addition to your dog’s meal, being rich in fiber, it greatly boosts the immune system of your dog. If your dog doesn’t like to eat brussels sprouts, you can try to use other immunity-boosting supplements that you can slip inside the food that your dog likes. Other than that, for a sick dog with a cold, warm chicken bouillon can help give a lot of relief.
Good Rest:
Some good rest can greatly help your little friend to recover from the cold they have that’s causing them to sneeze. Set up a warm and cozy place for the sick dog to rest. Make sure you do regulate the temperature of the room where your dog is resting or you can set up his sleeping area around the fireplace as some warmth will help get rid of a common cold very fast. Prevent your pooch from going outdoors as it may worsen their condition and try to keep them inside at all times except if they need to go out for a toilet break.
Herbs:
Herbs work greatly in healing cold or even other causes for sneezing like infections. They have inflammatory and healing effects that can help your dog get comfort slowly or in some cases rapidly. Elderflower extract can be used to heal sinuses. On the other hand, licorice root, mullein, coltsfoot, marshmallow, vitamin C, and E-rich food can help reduce inflammation. Kali Bichromicum may also be used to heal sinus congestion in dogs.
FAQ:
What should I do if my dog keeps sneezing?
An occasional sneeze is harmless but If your dog keeps sneezing continuously and you do not know the reason, the best thing to do is to get an appointment with the vet immediately. The vet will run a few tests on your pooch to identify the cause and start treatment and give the appropriate medication needed to start healing your dog.
When should I take my dog to the vet for sneezing?
Symptoms like runny nose, nasal discharge of mucus, discharge from the eyes, fever, loss of appetite, and frequent sneezes are signs that your dog needs to go to the vet immediately. Other than that if you see your dog behaving weirdly, and sneezing a lot it could mean that he’s affected by viruses and needs immediate medical attention.
Does my dog have nose mites?
Signs that show that your dog’s nose might be infested by Nasal mites are constant heavy breathing, reverse sneezing in which the dog would be inhaling air backward very rapidly, other than that discharge of nasal mites coming from the dog’s nose. Other signs include a swollen face, rapid shaking of the head and also bleeding from the nose.
Do dogs get cold and sneeze?
Yes, dogs can get affected by cold and sneeze just like humans do. The symptoms are the same which include discharge of mucus, fever, irregular breathing, coughing, redness in the eyes, and a runny nose. Mild colds tend to get resolved on their own, but if your dog’s cold is persistent and stays for a long time it could mean they have a viral infection. A trip to the vet is a must in such a case.
Conclusion
To see your fellow pet dog sneezing can be stressful for you. Remember that dogs are living beings and just like humans need a lot of care and support. When they are going through something like this. Be it a common cold or something more serious like nasal tumors. Make sure you do take good care of your best friend and keep him happy. As it will help speed up the healing process greatly. Hope this blog has helped you to identify what is causing your dog discomfort. Also will help you in identifying the problem.