Dogs & Reverse Sneezing – What You Should Know!

Have you ever heard of “reverse sneezing”? This dog condition is known as paroxysmal respiration. During a reverse sneeze, the dog pulls air into the nose as it would with a regular sneeze. A reverse sneeze is different because the air is rapidly pushed out through the nose. This can be alarming because the dog makes a “snorting” sound as they are trying to inhale. Many dog owners around the globe may be confused about what’s going on with their dogs. Oddly enough, reverse sneezing is more common than one would think!

Dog parents may panic when their four-legged friend is reverse sneezing. There is no need to worry! The good news is that the reverse sneeze is not harmful and has no ill side effects. The dog will be fine after the occurrence. During the reverse sneezing episode, the dog will make rapid and long inspirations while standing still and extending their neck. The reverse sneeze is accompanied by a deafening snorting sound which can last several seconds to a minute. Many believe something is stuck in their dog’s throat during the reverse sneeze.

You may wonder what causes the reverse sneeze in the first place. Our research shows that the exact cause is unknown. We discovered that reverse sneezing could be triggered by irritations to the nose, sinuses, or back of the throat. Dogs experience allergies just like humans do.

Dogs that have narrow nasal passages have a history of being affected by the reverse sneeze. Most cases of reverse sneezing will not require medical treatment. Rest assured that it is rare for a dog to develop complications after an attack. What should you do when your dog is experiencing a reverse sneeze? The best thing is to stroke their neck and calm them until the episode ends.