Why Is My Dog Sneezing So Much? 10 Vet-Verified Common Reasons

We’ve all been there—it’s the middle of cold or allergy season and you can’t seem to stop sneezing. But this time, you noticed that your dog seems to be sneezing a lot, too. Is it normal for dogs to sneeze, though? Can they get colds and allergies like we can? Here are a few potential reasons you should know about if your dog seems to be sneezing a lot.

The 10 Reasons Your Dog Sneezes So Much

1. Environmental Allergies

Dogs can be impacted by environmental allergens. Grasses, pollen, and dust mites are all potential allergens that your dog is exposed to. While sneezing is not one of the most common signs, it can still happen. When allergens are at their highest, whether it’s due to the weather or changes in the home, your dog may sneeze excessively. In most cases, sneezing due to allergies is non-productive, although a small amount of thin, clear mucus may be seen.

2. Dental Disease

Dental problems can cause sneezing in dogs, particularly when the upper teeth are affected. Tooth root abscesses can lead to inflammation or infection that extends into the nasal cavity, while oronasal fistulas (abnormal openings between the mouth and nose) may allow food or fluids to enter the nasal passages. Dogs with dental-related sneezing often have persistent or one-sided signs and may show nasal discharge or signs of oral discomfort.

3. Nasal Foreign Bodies

Surprisingly, there are a lot of things that can get up your dog’s nose, and just like if you had something stuck in your nose, your dog will likely begin to sneeze to try to dislodge the foreign object. Nasal foreign bodies can range from seeds and other parts of plants to food and gravel.

If you think your dog has managed to get a foreign body in their nose, do not try to remove it on your own. They need to be seen by a vet to remove the object in order to prevent damage to the nasal passages.

4. Nasal Irritants

There are a lot of things that may irritate your dog’s nasal passages that aren’t allergies and foreign bodies. Think about the things that make you sneeze, simply by breathing them, like black pepper and dust. These things can also bother your dog, leading to excessive sneezing. Other irritants can include things like cleaning products and paint fumes.

If you suspect your dog has been exposed to dangerous nasal irritants, they need to be moved to an area away from the irritant with good airflow, and they may need to be taken to a vet.

5. Nasal Mites

Although quite rare, dogs can get mites that infest their nasal passages, the scientific name for this is Pneumonyssus caninum. Mites are tiny insects that are often too small to be seen with the naked eye, so it can be very difficult for you to identify nasal mites on your own at home. Oftentimes, your vet will need a microscope to diagnose nasal mites. With nasal mites, you will likely see thick and potentially bloody mucus being expelled from your pup’s snout.

6. Nasal Tumors

Unfortunately, the nasal passages aren’t safe from the risk of developing tumors. Nasal tumors can be benign or malignant, but they can be challenging to treat. Radiation therapy is usually the best solution for these tumors, but assessment by a veterinary oncologist will give you the exact treatment of choice for your dog’s specific tumor. These neoplasms can be painful and deadly and may be accompanied by bloody discharge from the affected side of the nose.

7. Viral or Bacterial Respiratory Infections

There are multiple types of respiratory tract infections that dogs can pick up, including viral and bacterial causes. Exposure to sick animals, environmental exposure, and immune system depression can all put your dog at risk for developing respiratory infections. Some respiratory infections are accompanied by an increase in mucus production and irritation in the nasal passages, leading to sneezing.

8. Fungal Infections

Not only can dogs get viral and bacterial infections in their respiratory tract, but they can also get fungal, also called mycotic, infections caused by agents such as Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Penicillium species. These agents can reach the nasal cavity of dogs and cause chronic mucopurulent discharge.

9. Respiratory Parasites

Dogs can get mites just in their nasal passages, but there are also some larger parasites that can attack their respiratory system. Eucoleus boehmi and different species of Cuterebra and Linguatula can infect your dog’s nasal passage, leading to irritation of the respiratory tract. Excess mucus production from the body attempting to deal with the parasite can lead to sneezing.

10. Play

There is a reason that your dog may be sneezing, and it has nothing to do with any physiological factors. When dogs are playing, they will sometimes sneeze. This is one of the ways that they show that they are playing and not acting aggressively. While humans often overlook this behavior, other dogs are likely to notice and understand it.

Conclusion

If your dog has suddenly started sneezing excessively, then a vet visit is warranted, even if you suspect a simple and benign cause. It's best to rule out serious infections, parasites, foreign bodies, and tumors. In some cases, your dog may need medication or continuing medical care to deal with the cause of their sneezing.

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