When you see your dog sneeze, it’s an unusual phenomenon that can be puzzling. You might be wondering why your dog is doing this and whether it’s something to worry about especially if it’s not something that he or she normally does.
While there are many reasons why your dog might sneeze, these ten are some of the most common.
1. Something Stuck Up His Nose
One of the most common reasons for dogs sneezing is when something is stuck up their nose. This can be anything from a piece of grass to dirt that has gotten lodged in their nostrils.
If you think this might be the case, then take a close look at your dog’s nose to see if you can spot anything. If you can spot something but can’t remove it yourself, then take your dog to the vet as they will be able to help.
2. Playing Around
Dogs often sneeze when they’re playing around as it’s a way of showing how excited they are. It’s also known as play sneezing and it’s considered to be normal and harmless.
Sneezing when playing is common in small breeds and puppies but it can also occur in any dog regardless of their breed or age.
If you’re not sure whether your dog is playing or sneezing, take a look at their body language. Playing dogs will be wagging their tails and might have their tongue out. If your dog is just sneezing to release excitement, then they’ll be fine and there’s nothing to worry about.
3. Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common reasons for dogs sneezing. Dogs can be allergic to anything from pollen and dust to certain foods.
Two of the most common types of allergies in dogs are seasonal allergies and food allergies.
Seasonal allergies occur when a dog is exposed to something in the environment that they’re allergic to, such as when they are outside during springtime and there’s a lot of pollen in the air.
There are a few different ways that you can treat seasonal allergies in dogs. One is to try and keep them away from the things that they’re allergic to as much as possible. This means keeping them inside during pollen season and making sure that they’re not exposed to any other potential allergens.
Another way to treat seasonal allergies is with medication. This can be in the form of antihistamines or steroids.
Food allergies occur when a dog is allergic to a specific food. The symptoms of a food allergy can be quite severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, and sneezing.
If your dog is showing signs of a food allergy, the best thing to do is to speak to your vet. They will be able to help you identify the allergen and put your dog on a hypoallergenic diet.
This diet will be free from allergen and will help to improve your dog’s symptoms. There are also some over-the-counter medications that you can give your dog to help with their allergies.
However, it’s always best to speak to your vet before giving your dog any medication.
4. Nasal Infection
Dogs can develop upper respiratory tract infections. These infections are caused by the inhalation of fungus from the environment which can then cause an infection in the nasal passages.
The symptoms of a nasal infection include sneezing, coughing, nose pain, nosebleeds, discharge, and swelling.
If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms, then it’s best to take them to the vet as they will be able to confirm whether or not your dog has a nasal infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
5. Teeth Infection
A tooth infection can also cause dogs to sneeze. This is because some of the teeth in a dog’s mouth have roots that extend to the dog’s nasal passage.
If one or all of these teeth become infected, it can spread to the roots and cause an infection in the nasal passage. This can then lead to sneezing or a runny nose.
If your dog is suffering from a tooth infection, there are a few different treatment options that your veterinarian might recommend.
One option is root canal therapy, where the infected tooth is cleaned and sealed off to prevent any further infection. If the tooth is too badly damaged or infected, however, it might have to be extracted.
6. Kennel Cough
Dogs with kennel cough will often sneeze as one of the main symptoms but the sneezing is different from the normal sneezing that a dog does.
Dogs with kennel cough will often sneeze as one of the main symptoms. However, sneezing is different from the normal sneezing that a dog does.
Kennel cough is caused by a number of airborne bacteria and viruses and it results in a distinctive persistent cough that sounds more like something is stuck in their throat.
Write the next paragraph about the treatment for kennel cough in dogs including a week or two of rest, cough medication, and antibiotics.
If your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms of kennel cough, it’s important to take him or her to the vet for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment for kennel cough typically includes a combination of rest, cough medication, and antibiotics. In most cases, your dog will need to be isolated from other animals for a week or two while he or she recovers.
7. Nasal Tumours
Sometimes, persistent sneezing in dogs can be a sign of something such as Nasal tumors. Nasal tumors are growths that develop in the nasal cavity or sinuses and they can be benign or malignant.
As the tumor gets bigger, it can block the dog’s airway and cause him or her to sneeze frequently in an attempt to clear the obstruction.
Other symptoms of nasal tumors include runny nose, wheezing, and coughing. If your dog only sneezes once in a while before but now it’s a persistent problem, you should start to suspect a tumor.
If your dog is diagnosed with a nasal tumor, the vet will likely recommend radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for nasal tumors as surgery can be very difficult due to the location of the tumor.
8. Nasal Mites
On some rare occasions, persistent sneezing in dogs can be a sign of nasal mites. Nasal mites are tiny parasites that live in the nasal passages and sinuses of dogs.
They can cause a lot of irritation and lead to frequent sneezing and excess mucus production.
The only way to get rid of nasal mites is to treat the dog with an antiparasitic medication such as Ivermectin. This will kill the mites and stop them from causing any more irritation.
9. Your Dog Is Brachycephalic Dogs
Brachycephalic Dogs are dogs that have a short nose, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, are more prone to developing respiratory problems such as reverse sneezing and respiratory infections because their airways are narrower. This can lead to difficulty breathing and sneezing.
While there isn’t a cure for the brachycephalic syndrome, there are a few things that you can do to help your dog manage the condition.
One is to keep your dog’s environment cool and humidified, as this will help to keep the airways open.
You can also give your dog a few puffs of a bronchodilator medication such as Albuterol if he or she starts to experience difficulty breathing. But of course, you need to talk to your vet first before giving your dog any medication.
10. As a Mean of Communication
Once you have ruled out all the possible medical reasons for your dog’s sneezing, it might just be that your dog is trying to communicate with you.
In terms of communication, dogs can sneeze for a number of reasons, such as to get your attention, show you that they’re happy, or let you know that they’re content with you.
If your dog’s sneezing is accompanied by other body language cues such as tail wagging and relaxed posture, it’s most likely that he or she is just trying to communicate with you.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are the ten most common reasons why your dog might sneeze when he wakes up. If your dog is sneezing frequently and you’re not sure why it’s always best to take him or her to the vet for a check-up just to be safe. Thanks for reading!
Related Questions
1. Why Does My Dog Get Excited When I Wake Up?
Have you ever wondered why your dog gets so excited when you wake up in the morning? There are actually a few reasons. For one thing, they may need to go outside to relieve themselves.
Or, they may be hungry and want breakfast. But more than likely, your dog is simply happy to see you and is excited to start the day with their favorite person.