Why does my dog keep sneezing
Dog illnesses can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms vary between breeds, sizes, and individuals. Is your pup sneezing more often than usual? You may be wondering what’s causing this symptom.
In at least half of cases, the illness is caused by a virus, but bacterial infections can also be blamed. Sneezing can be triggered by allergies or sinus problems.
If your dog is sneezing non-stop or frequently throughout the day, there are several possible causes. We have some answers to some of the questions raised by this behavior.
What should I do if my dog keeps sneezing?
- Take a look at how often your pup is sneezing and what the cause might be if it’s more than usual.
- If you notice any discharge from his nose, eyes, or mouth, take note of this for your veterinarian. It is the first step to figuring out what’s causing your dog to sneeze more often than usual.
- If you feel like it, give your pup some allergy medication if needed since this can help ease sneezing and make him more comfortable. However, it would be best to always ask your vet before buying any medicine for him since it may cause side effects.
- If you notice your pup rubbing his face on the floor, he may also have an ear infection since this is a common symptom for dogs with an infection in the ears too.
- You can tell whether your dog has a cold or allergies by the color of his nasal discharge and by observing if they become swollen when they suffer from allergy-related symptoms.
- If your dog has been sneezing more than usual or if it’s accompanied by nasal discharge, coughing, or wheezing, you should go to the vet since this could indicate a bacterial infection instead.
Does dog sneezing mean anything?
If your pup suddenly starts to sneeze more than usual, it may indicate that he has a cold or an infection. It would help if you took him in to see his veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment. Dogs are also very susceptible to allergies, which can trigger sneezing too.
- Sneezing may be a side effect of an illness or just a tiny symptom that doesn’t mean anything serious at all. In any case, it’s always best to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian to determine what is causing these symptoms.
- Other animals, including dogs and cats, sneeze for the same reasons humans do. Sneezing can be your dog’s way of telling you that he has a cold, allergies, or some other infection in his respiratory system.
- Sometimes, sneezing can result from an irritant making contact with your pet’s nose. In this case, it’s best to remove this cause and take your pet in for a checkup.
- Sneezing is often accompanied by other symptoms, especially excessive coughing or runny eyes. Remember to take note of these symptoms as well if you notice them with your dog’s sneezes. This can help diagnose what is causing the sneezing.
- If your dog exhibits sneezing along with difficulty breathing, lethargy, or an increased body temperature, this can be a sign of more severe illness like canine distemper or kennel cough. He should be taken to the vet as soon as possible for treatment and further diagnosis.
- Typically, a dog will sneeze one to three times per day. If your dog is sneezing constantly or more than usual, this can be an indication of illness.
How do you tell if a dog has nasal mites?
Some signs can indicate if your dog has nasal mites. You may notice your dog sneezing more frequently than usual, experiencing itching around the face and head, having a foamy discharge coming out of its nose, coughing or wheezing, depression (which is also common), and an inflamed face which might even be red and swollen.
You can also check around his face for any signs of scabs or red patches. If you notice some, these are usually itchy and uncomfortable, so your dog will also scratch them off the skin.
If your dog has a stuffy nose, it might be hard for him to breathe correctly, leading to repeatedly sneezing. This is one symptom that indicates that your pup does indeed have an infection or a cold.
If you believe your dog may have nasal mites, the symptoms typically include one or more of the following:
- Respiratory symptoms. Sneezing fits are familiar with nasal mites, as are coughing and wheezing. Your dog’s breathing sounds may be different than usual.
- Eye symptoms. Besides watery eyes, the eyelids may become red and inflamed. The eyes are probably susceptible to bright light.
- Skin symptoms. Your dog’s skin along his spine, around his ears, or anywhere on his face where he can’t readily clean himself may become crusty or scaly to one degree or another.
Should I worry if my dog keeps sneezing?
Easily. If your dog is sneezing excessively, he may have a severe illness that’s not quickly treated, mostly if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal discharge or fever.
If your puppy is sneezing, it usually indicates that he’s suffering from an upper respiratory infection. However, in some cases, the problem may stem from allergies or sinus problems instead.
You can tell whether your dog has a cold or allergies by the color of his nasal discharge and by observing if they become swollen when they suffer from allergy-related symptoms.
What can I give my dog for sneezing?
It would help if you didn’t give your dog any antihistamines unless his vet recommended them. Some of these may cause stomach upset or drowsiness, reduce your pup’s appetite, or even make him hyperactive or restless. The effects can vary depending on the dosage and the type you use.
You should consult with your vet, who will be able to give your dog medication that can ease the symptoms of allergies or infections. If you notice your pup rubbing his face on the floor, he may also have an ear infection since this is a common symptom for dogs with an infection in the ears too.
Do dogs have allergies?
Yes, they do. Dogs are also very susceptible to allergies, which can trigger sneezing too. This is because their bodies have difficulty dealing with foreign substances entering the body through the air or food they ingest.
When your pup has an allergy attack, it starts to become itchy all over his body and will start scratching himself to relieve the itchiness. He will also begin to sneeze and sniffle to clear his nasal passage.
The most common allergies in dogs include flea, pollen, grass seed, dust mites, food allergy.
If your dog has these symptoms, bring him to the vet for further evaluation and treatment. If you don’t pay attention early on, his allergies can worsen, leading to fatal illnesses.
Evidently, there are plenty of things that can trigger an allergy attack in your pup. It would help if you took him to the vet for further evaluation once he shows signs of sneezing or other allergy symptoms.
What are some possible causes of dog sneezing?
- Viruses – If your dog is exposed to viruses, he could develop a condition where he keeps sneezing. It’s your choice to give him medicine for it or not. However, some medications can help with the symptoms he’s showing.
- Allergies – If your dog is sneezing every time he’s exposed to his allergens, then you can try getting him some medication that can help deal with the symptoms.
- Bacterial Infections – This occurs when bacteria enter through your dog’s nose and airway, which leads them to develop more severe symptoms.
- Allergy Medication – There are areas where your dog can get allergy medication without a prescription if the sneezing is bothering him. However, always consult your vet before buying any medicine for him since it may cause side effects.
- Chowhound – Don’t give your dog any food that he’s allergic to, or else you may end up seeing him sneeze repeatedly.
- Hay Fever – If you think your dog is allergic to something in the air, this condition could be putting stress on his nasal passage, makings he sneeze.
- Nasal Mites – If you notice some tiny bugs in your pup’s nose, he may have nasal mites, which causes him to sneeze, cough, and his nose will become inflamed.
- Your Dog has a Cold – There are times when your dog can get a cold, which will cause him to sneeze repeatedly. You can try giving him medicine that can help ease his symptoms, but if he shows any signs of lethargy or extreme discomfort, then it’s best to take him to the vet for further evaluation.
Conclusion
Dogs can also suffer from allergies like humans do, which means that they could sneeze every time an allergy trigger is present. This may seem cute to you right now, but it can be not very pleasant if done repeatedly.
If you notice your pup sneezing more than usual, then you should take him to the vet so the doctor can check for nasal mites or any other illness that may be responsible for making him sneeze.