- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Whether it’s due to pollen, dust, or allergies, everyone needs to sneeze now and then. That goes for dogs, too! But while humans can only sneeze one way, dogs reverse sneeze. During a reverse sneeze, your dog pulls air in their nose and snorts or gags.
“A reverse sneeze, also known as ‘paroxysmal respiration’ or ‘pharyngeal gag reflex’ is a fairly common occurrence in dogs,” says Antje Joslin, veterinarian consultant with Dogtopia. While reverse sneezing, your dog may look like they’re having trouble breathing. However, reverse sneezing is normal and usually nothing to worry about.
Learn more about reverse sneezing in dogs below, including how to spot it and what you can do to help your dog during an episode.
What Causes Reverse Sneezing?
Reverse sneezing typically occurs when something irritates your dog’s soft palette (the tissue that separates the respiratory tract from the digestive tract) or the throat.
Your dog will rapidly inhale several times in a row to try and get rid of the irritant, says Iram Gladan, a veterinarian and writer for breedatlas.net. Essentially, your pup is trying to clear their throat.
Many reverse sneezing episodes don’t have any known cause. But, some can be caused by the following factors.
- Dust
- Allergens, like pollen
- Overexcitement
- Eating or drinking too fast
- Pulling on a leash
- Having an elongated soft palette
Is Your Dog Sneezing or Choking?
Some pet parents may initially mistake reverse sneezing for difficulty breathing or choking. But you can typically tell them apart by watching your dog for the “sneeze” pattern.
During a reverse sneeze, your dog will typically:
- Stand with their neck out and head tilted slightly backward
- Flare their nostrils and pull back their lips
- Rapidly inhale several times in a row, resulting in snorting or gagging sounds.
These episodes can last a few seconds to a minute or two.
While this can seem scary, especially if you’ve never seen it, remember that reverse sneezing doesn’t hurt your dog. Most dogs will return to normal after they’re done and don’t experience any complications.
Are some dogs more prone to reverse sneezing?
Yes. While reverse sneezing can occur in any dog, some breeds do it more than others. For example, Brachycephalic dogs, like Pugs or Bulldogs, may be more likely to reverse sneeze since they have longer soft palettes.
Dr. Joslin adds that smaller dogs, like Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, tend to reverse sneeze more than larger breeds.
How Do Vets Diagnose Reverse Sneezing?
Most cases of reverse sneezing are random and clear up on their own, so they don’t generally need vet attention.
But Dr. Joslin says if it’s excessive, or if you notice an uptick in reverse sneezing and other symptoms, take them to the vet.
Your vet may also run diagnostic tests, like X-rays or oral exams, to rule out any underlying health conditions contributing to their symptoms.
How Do Vets Treat Reverse Sneezing?
Dr. Gladan says reverse sneezing needs no treatment; episodes are brief and stop on their own.
However, if your dog’s reverse sneezing is caused by an underlying health condition, your vet can prescribe a treatment to help the main issue. Additionally, some vets may suggest surgery to elongate the soft palette for brachycephalic dogs.
Can You Prevent Reverse Sneezing in Dogs?
While reverse sneezing is a fact of life for many pups, you can discourage or prevent it by:
- Rubbing your dog’s throat. Massaging your dog’s throat during an episode may help them find relief faster.
- Closing your dog’s nostrils. “Briefly covering your dog’s nostrils can encourage swallowing, which may help clear the irritation,” Dr. Gladan says.
- Blowing into your dog’s face. Blowing air into your dog’s nose can encourage them to swallow.
- Walking with a harness. Harnesses don’t put pressure on your dog’s neck and throat, which could make them less irritated on walks.
- Avoiding your dog’s irritants. Dr. Gladan recommends keeping your dog away from known irritants like perfumes or smoke. For example, you might use a pet vacuum to prevent dust or change your walking route to avoid pollen-filled flowers.
- Comforting them. If all else fails, some soothing words and pets can help calm your dog, potentially stopping the spasm.
Takeaway
While reverse sneezing may seem bizarre and scary, most cases are minor and clear up on their own. If your dog starts reverse sneezing more than usual or has other concerning symptoms, a trip to the vet could help diagnose any underlying causes.
Otherwise, say “gesundheit” and give your dog a round of pets.
