Reverse Sneezing in Dogs
Reverse sneezing in dogs is an involuntary respiratory reflex that can be alarming for owners. Your dog rapidly pulls air into their nose, creating loud snorting or honking sounds that may last up to 30 seconds. While these episodes can be distressing to watch, they are typically harmless and resolve without medical intervention.
What is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs?
Reverse sneezing, also known as ‘paroxysmal respiration or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration’, is an involuntary respiratory reflex where a dog rapidly pulls air into the nose rather than expelling it. This creates a characteristic loud snorting, honking, or gagging sound that can be quite alarming if you've never witnessed it before.
During an episode, your dog will stand still with their neck extended, their head often pulled back, and their nostrils flared. The rapid inhalation creates the distinctive snorting noise that gives the condition its name.
Most episodes are harmless and resolve on their own. Your dog might not be in pain during a reverse sneezing episode, though they may appear distressed. The condition is surprisingly common, and many healthy dogs experience occasional episodes throughout their lives without any underlying health problems.
Common Causes of Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing can be triggered by various factors that irritate the nasal passages, sinus passages, or throat. Understanding what causes these episodes can help you identify and potentially reduce your dog's triggers.
Environmental Irritants
The most common triggers are airborne irritants such as dust, pollen, perfumes, household cleaners, and air fresheners. These particles irritate the sensitive tissues in your dog's nose and throat, triggering the spasmodic reflex.
Physical Triggers
Excitement, rapid eating or drinking, pulling on the lead, and sudden temperature changes can all provoke an episode. Physical activity and play are particularly common triggers, especially immediately after exercise.
Anatomical Factors
Some dogs are predisposed to reverse sneezing due to their physical anatomy. An elongated soft palate, common in certain breeds, can increase the likelihood of episodes. Nasal mites, foreign bodies lodged in the nose or throat, and allergies can also cause repeated episodes.
Underlying Conditions
While less common, more serious conditions such as respiratory infections, heart disease, tracheal collapse, and asthma can lead to reverse sneezing. If your dog experiences frequent episodes or shows other symptoms, these underlying causes should be investigated.
Recognising the Symptoms
Identifying reverse sneezing is relatively straightforward once you know what to look for. The symptoms are quite distinctive and differ significantly from a regular cough or sneeze.
Physical Signs
- Loud snorting, honking, or gagging sounds
- Rapid inhalation through the nose
- Extension of the neck and head, often pulled backwards
- Flared nostrils
- Stiff front legs with elbows pointing outwards
- Standing still and motionless during the episode
Most episodes last between 10 and 30 seconds. Your dog should return to normal behaviour immediately afterwards, with no lingering effects.
When to Record Episodes
Video recordings of reverse sneezing episodes can be helpful for veterinarians, particularly if this is the first time your dog has experienced one. If a dog has never had an episode before, a vet visit is recommended to confirm it is reverse sneezing and not another respiratory condition.
When Should You Worry About Reverse Sneezing?
Contact your vet if you are worried about your dog’s health. Most cases of reverse sneezing do not require medical treatment. However, certain warning signs indicate that your dog needs veterinary attention.
Immediate Veterinary Attention Required
Contact your vet urgently if your dog shows any of these symptoms alongside reverse sneezing:
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing between episodes
- Persistent coughing
- Changes in gum colour (pale, blue, or purple)
- Discharge from the nose or eyes
- Loss of appetite or lethargy
- Episodes lasting longer than one minute
- Loss of consciousness
When to Book a Routine Appointment
Schedule a veterinary consultation if:
- Episodes become more frequent over time
- Your dog experiences several episodes daily
- You notice the episodes are worsening in severity
- Your dog is showing signs of distress between episodes
Your vet can perform a physical examination, take a complete medical history, and may recommend diagnostic tests such as x-rays or blood work to rule out other conditions.
How to Stop a Reverse Sneezing Episode
While episodes can resolve on their own, there are several techniques you can try to help shorten the duration and comfort your dog.
Stay Calm
Your dog can sense your anxiety, so remaining calm and reassuring is important. Speak to them in a soothing voice and avoid panicking, which could increase their stress.
What Not to Do
Avoid restraining your dog forcefully or placing your fingers inside their mouth, as this could cause injury or increase their distress. Don't try to physically manipulate their neck or throat roughly.
Treatment Options for Reverse Sneezing
In most cases, reverse sneezing doesn't require medical treatment and episodes will resolve on their own. However, if an underlying cause is identified or episodes become severe, treatment may be necessary.
When Treatment is Not Required
If your dog experiences occasional reverse sneezing episodes with no other symptoms, no treatment is typically needed. The episodes are harmless and your dog will return to normal behaviour immediately afterwards.
Medical Interventions
Your vet may recommend treatment if:
- Allergies are triggering episodes: antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce allergic reactions
- Infections are present: antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication may be needed
- * If the episodes are causing your dog pain, distress or discomfort.
Surgical Options In severe cases where anatomical issues such as an elongated soft palate are causing frequent and distressing episodes, surgery may be recommended to correct the problem. This is typically only considered when quality of life is significantly affected.
Preventing Future Episodes
While you cannot completely prevent reverse sneezing, you can take steps to reduce the frequency of episodes by minimising exposure to known triggers.
Environmental Management
- Keep your home as dust-free as possible through regular cleaning
- Use an air purifier to remove airborne particles
- Avoid smoking near your dog
- Choose unscented cleaning products and avoid strong perfumes
- Consider using a humidifier if your home is very dry
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Avoid pulling sharply on your dog's lead; use a harness instead of a collar
- Keep your dog calm during high pollen days
- Allow your dog to eat and drink at a slower pace
- Gradually expose your dog to temperature changes rather than moving quickly between hot and cold environments
Health Monitoring
Regular health checks with your vet can help identify and manage any underlying conditions that might contribute to reverse sneezing. If your dog is on a Medivet Healthcare Plan, these routine examinations are included, helping you stay on top of your dog's respiratory health.
Is Your Dog Experiencing Frequent Reverse Sneezing?
If you're concerned about your dog's reverse sneezing episodes or want to rule out underlying health issues, book a consultation at your local Medivet practice. Our experienced vets can examine your dog and recommend appropriate treatment if needed.
With a Medivet Healthcare Plan, you'll receive regular health checks and a minimum of 10% discount on all medical care, giving you peace of mind that your dog's health is being monitored throughout the year.
Find your nearest Medivet practice and book an appointment online today.
Conclusion
Reverse sneezing in dogs is a common and typically harmless respiratory reflex that affects many dogs throughout their lives. While episodes can be alarming to witness, understanding what causes them and how to respond can help you stay calm and support your dog effectively. Most cases don't require medical treatment, but it's important to monitor the frequency and severity of episodes and seek veterinary advice if you notice any concerning changes. By managing environmental triggers and maintaining regular health checks, you can help minimise episodes and keep your dog comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reverse sneezing is an involuntary respiratory reflex where dogs rapidly inhale air through their nose instead of exhaling. It sounds like loud snorting, honking, or gagging noises. Your dog will stand still with their neck extended and head pulled back during the episode, which typically lasts 30 seconds or less.
Common causes include irritation from dust, pollen, perfumes, or household cleaners. Physical triggers such as excitement, pulling on the lead, or rapid eating can also cause episodes. Less commonly, underlying conditions like respiratory infections, allergies, or nasal mites may be responsible.
Reverse sneezing is not painful or harmful to dogs. Most dogs are completely healthy before and after episodes, which resolve on their own without lasting effects. While episodes can look distressing, your dog is not in pain or danger. Dogs cannot choke during reverse sneezing, and it is not linked to heart failure.
You should contact your vet if episodes become very frequent (several times daily), last longer than one minute, or are accompanied by other symptoms such as wheezing, persistent coughing, discharge from the nose, changes in gum colour, or lethargy. If your dog has never experienced reverse sneezing before, a vet visit is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
Reverse sneezing can be confused with other respiratory conditions such as tracheal collapse, kennel cough, choking, or asthma. Tracheal collapse usually causes a honking cough. Video recordings of episodes can help your vet distinguish reverse sneezing from other conditions.
If your dog experiences reverse sneezing several times a day or episodes are increasing in frequency, you should schedule a veterinary consultation. Frequent episodes may indicate an underlying condition such as allergies, respiratory infections, or anatomical problems that require treatment.
Stay calm and speak soothingly to your dog. You can gently massage their throat, or blow lightly on their face. Offering water after the episode may also help. Avoid restraining your dog forcefully or placing fingers in their mouth, as this can cause injury or increase stress.