Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: Causes and how you can help your dog

What is a post about reverse sneezing doing on a "Pet Travel Certificate" website? Well, last year I uploaded a post about reverse sneezing on Instagram and it amassed 5.6 million views. In the comments section, many people wanted more information on this common condition. So here it is!

What is reverse sneezing?

The fancy name for reverse sneezing is "paroxysmal respiration." It occurs when a dog rapidly sucks air into their nose, as opposed to regular sneezing, where air is expelled through the nose. This often causes a snorting noise and it can make them look like they are struggling to breathe. Despite looking alarming, reverse sneezing is usually completely harmless. Episodes tend to last from several seconds to a minute.

Keep reading to find out when treatment could be needed.

What causes reverse sneezing?

The exact cause of reverse sneezing is unknown, but it is thought that an irritation to the nose, sinuses or back of the throat can trigger an episode. Irritation can be caused by:

• Pulling on the lead

• Overexcitement

• Dust

• Air fresheners

• Changes in temperature e.g. going from a warm house into the colder outdoors

• Excessive mucus

• Food and environmental allergies (eg pollen)

• An overlong soft palate - common in brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs and bulldogs

• Narrow nasal passages (dogs with long noses)

Why is my dog reverse sneezing at night?

You may notice that your dog reverse sneezes at night, This is because in some dogs it occurs more frequently just after a long nap. When they are sleeping, they may inhale irritants like dust or other air particles.

How to stop reverse sneezing?

Episodes should stop on their own. However, you can intervene to help them in order to stop the episode sooner. For some dogs, just gently stroking their throat is effective. For others, gently covering one nostril for a second whilst stroking their throat is more effective at stopping these episodes.

When do I see my vet about my dogs reverse sneezing episodes?

Most cases of reverse sneezing require no medical treatment. However, if your dog's reverse sneezing episodes have become more frequent or severe, then it is sensible to contact your vet.

You should definitely contact your vet if reverse sneezing episodes are accompanied by other issues such as watery eyes, coughing or abnormal breathing. If your dog is also displaying other behaviours such as licking their feet or shaking their head, most likely they have allergies and your vet can advise you which medications can help to reduce all these symptoms.

I hope you found this helpful! You can follow me on Instagram @Vet.Avneen for more content like this.