Ah-Choo! Dog Sneezing

Dog sneezing is pretty common. And a little bit funny, but did you know that when the dog’s sneezing becomes excessive it could be a sign of bigger problems? Here’s a list of common causes of dog sneezing as well as some to watch out for:

Allergies in dogs

This is a very common reason why a dog may have a sneezing fit. When the seasons change and there’s a little extra pollen in the air, your dog can be affected just like you can. Some of the chemicals you use to clean with could also be the culprit. Again, just like us, dogs are prone to allergies of all kinds. Usually, the sneezing goes away when the dog’s environment changes.

Infections

This one is a bit more serious. If the sneezing is accompanied by a discharge, then he may have an infection. If left untreated, it could get worse and become chronic. If you suspect that your pup has an infection, take a quick trip to the vet for some antibiotics. Bacterial, viral and fungal infections are usually pretty easy to treat. Just don’t let it get out of hand before you take action.

Dental Problems

Believe it or not, some canine dental problems can result in excessive dog sneezing. Tooth abscesses are the leading cause if this. The roots of your dog’s teeth go up into (well, near) his nasal passages. When infection puts pressure on the area, sneezing soon follows. Because there’s going to be some nasal drainage here, as well, this problem often appears to be a simple allergy. Be mindful if your dog shows any signs that he is pain. Have you ever had an abscessed tooth? Ouch! This is another ailment that requires a visit to the vet. Get this taken care of before the infection spreads.

Foreign Objects

Okay, I’m not going to say that it’s a common cause of dog sneezing, but it happens. Your dog might get a bug up his nose or perhaps he got a little overzealous when sniffing something small. When this occurs, a good sneezing fit usually remedies the problem. However, if he can’t dislodge the object on his own, you may have to get the vet to go in after it.

Intranasal Tumors

Oh man, I hate to even bring it up, but if you notice that your dog’s sneezing a little bit more frequently and it’s accompanied by a bloody nose, it’s time to get to the veterinarian. At first, it won’t happen very often. Then, as time passes, you’ll see the symptoms appear more frequently. There’s a good chance that your dog has what is called an intranasal tumor. Oftentimes, either surgery or chemotherapy is required to treat this.

So next time you see your pooch sneezing, be on the lookout to see if there’s anything more to it. Just don’t get paranoid, folks, dogs are like us in a lot of ways. One of which is, he’s just got to sneeze every once in a while.

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