Why dogs sneeze, and when to worry about it
By Kim Campbell Thornton
Andrews McMeel Syndication
Elephants do it. So do chickens and iguanas, parrots and cats, and, of course, dogs. In fact, African wild dogs “vote” this way. My dog Harper does it in my face to wake me up in the morning.
Sneeze, that is.
We’ve all felt that little tickle in the nose that heralds a sneeze. Dogs probably do, too, although they can’t tell us about it. But their sneezes can give us clues to potential causes.
Sneezing is how the body rids itself of nasal irritants such as dust. It can also be triggered by cigarette or wildfire smoke or by scented products such as laundry detergent, cleansers, candles, hairspray or the Blenheim Bouquet eau de toilette you spritz on every morning.
An occasional sneeze is probably a response to mild nasal irritation. For instance, if sneezing is seasonal or occurs only at certain times, dogs may be reacting to the pollen of spring, or to summer wildfire smoke.
Dogs whose sneezing is accompanied by a watery nasal discharge and who rub their faces on flooring or with their paws may be suffering from inhalant allergies. Weed pollens are common in late summer, tree pollens in spring and grass pollens in late spring through mid-summer. House dust, molds, mites, wool and feathers can also contribute. Try switching to products without scents or dyes, and ask your veterinarian about medication that can help.
Dental disease can be linked to sneezing. When Elisabeth Robbes Weinerman’s dog Daisy began having sneezing fits, gagging and choking, she was diagnosed with allergies, but medication didn’t help. A professional dental cleaning turned up two broken molars and a badly infected tooth. The infection in the tooth had spread to Daisy’s sinuses. She had been gagging on the drainage going down her throat. “The sneezing fits went away after the dental (work),” Weinerman says.
Dogs can huff up foxtails, blades of grass, twigs or other items that become lodged in the nose. Foxtails are bushy grasses with barbs that face backward. They can migrate into the body, traveling to and damaging soft tissues and organs, including the eyes and brain. Dogs have died from migrating foxtails. Suspect this type of irritation if your dog is shaking her head, pawing at her nose or sneezing continuously.
Bacterial and fungal infections of the upper respiratory system can cause dogs to sneeze. Nasal mites picked up when dogs sniff around in the dirt cause sneezing, too.
Senior dogs may develop nasal tumors that lead to sneezing. They may start to sneeze more frequently as tumors develop or may bleed on the side of the nose where the tumor is located.
Sometimes breed itself is a clue. The condensed facial anatomy of flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs such as Boston terriers, bulldogs and pugs makes them prone to sneezing.
Reverse sneezing is frequently a concern because dogs look and sound as if they are choking or having trouble breathing. Neck extended, they make a snorting sound, an attempt to remove irritants from the back of the throat. Gently stroking the throat can help put a stop to it. Generally, reverse sneezing isn’t an emergency, but if it’s persistent, take your dog to the veterinarian for a look-see.
On a lighter note, sometimes dogs sneeze in play or from excitement. Among dogs, a sneeze can signal both “let’s play!” and “let’s calm things down.”
If sneezing is forceful, nonstop, or accompanied by discharge that is bloody or thick or contains mucus, see the veterinarian. Head shaking, pawing and nosebleeds aren’t normal, either, and are clues that something is wrong. A close examination and sometimes diagnostic tests can help to determine the cause so your dog can get back to a sneeze-free lifestyle -- except when she’s trying to wake you up, of course.
Q&A
Why isn’t my dog
sleeping at night?
Q: My dog’s not sleeping through the night, and that means I’m not sleeping through the night. Help!
A: Many of my clients have the same complaint. Their dogs scratch, pace, whine or just breathe loudly. Here’s how to help your dog have sweet dreams and how to know when he should see the veterinarian.
You don’t say how old your dog is, but if he’s a young puppy, he’s probably experiencing normal anxiety related to being in a new home, with new people and maybe other animals, and away from mom and littermates for the first time. Help him relax by putting his crate next to your bed so he can smell you and hear you breathing through the night. That will help him bond to you while gaining independence by sleeping on his own.
Some dogs scratch all night because they’re itching from allergies, dry skin or -- let’s hope not -- fleas. Some things to try: Launder his bedding with detergent that’s free of fragrances and dyes. Bathe him with moisturizing shampoo and conditioner made for dogs. Use a humidifier to put moisture in the air. If those things don’t help, talk to your veterinarian about an elimination diet to test for food allergies or medication that can help reduce itching.
Restless dogs who are pacing and panting may have pain from arthritis, gastric torsion (bloat) or the bellyache that precedes diarrhea.
Restlessness can also signal heart disease. Dogs with enlarged hearts may have trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position. Restlessness, coughing (especially at night) and labored breathing can indicate congestive heart failure. Take these dogs to the veterinarian ASAP, even if it’s the middle of the night.
Finally, dogs with dementia -- canine cognitive dysfunction -- often change sleep habits. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication that may help. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Zoo animals get
COVID-19 vaccine
-- Zoo animals are stepping up to get vaccinated for COVID-19. California’s Oakland Zoo was one of nearly 70 zoos and more than a dozen other facilities to receive donations of the vaccine, created for animals by Zoetis. Animal care keepers at the zoo worked for weeks beforehand to prepare their charges for the injection, getting them used to the smell of the syringe and practicing giving a poke with a capped needle. Afterward, animals were rewarded with a favorite treat: ice cream for bears, goat milk for mountain lions (who knew?) and M&Ms for a chimpanzee.
-- Catnip curious? Here’s the dope on the cat attractant. The active ingredient is called nepetalactone, a volatile oil produced by plants belonging to the genus Nepeta. Cats who respond to it -- approximately one-third don’t -- get the effect by inhaling it. Eating it doesn’t do anything for them, so don’t buy any catnip edibles. Even wild cats can go, er, wild for catnip. It’s a trip to see lions, jaguars and leopards under the influence. Domestic cats will sniff, rub and roll for 5 to 15 minutes after taking a hit. Don’t give them more right away; it takes an hour or two before they’ll respond again. Big cats have a longer-lasting high of up to an hour. Don’t let kittens under 2 months partake; they’re not old enough to have any interest in it yet.
-- Despite her name, Athena isn’t an Olympian, but maybe she should be. The 7-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel can jump more than 14 feet in a dock-diving event, and she’s the first of her breed to compete in the sport. She also competes in barn hunt, FastCAT and agility. We think this multitalented dog deserves the gold. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.
Photography). Position: Pet Buzz/Item 3