My dog does this harsh sneezing, like he is snorting inwards violently, but it lasts for a couple of seconds and then he may not do it again for a while. Is this bad?
So, every so often my dog sounds like he is snorting inwards really hard. He does this for a couple of seconds and then goes back to normal. He doesn't seem phased by this at all but what the heck is it??
Answers ( 1 )
This behavior has the silly name of backwards or reverse sneezing. Yes it's normal, and no your dog isn't sick. Probably not, anyway. Healthy dogs reverse sneeze whenever their soft palates are irritated. This can be caused by all kinds of things ranging from something stuck in their throat/sinus, strong smells, or just excitement. They inhale forcefully and vibrate the palate with the hopes of dislodging the irritant. It's not much different from saying ahem to clear your throat.
Dogs with short snouts are more prone to reverse sneezing, as are dogs with allergies. Dogs that pull too hard on their collars often start reverse sneezing to clear up their breathing, too. Offer your dog fresh water to help clear his throat. If the room is dusty or smoky, opening a window will help, too.
If your dog reverse sneezes a lot, vomits after an episode, or has been doing it more frequently than usual, you should take him to the vet. He may have eaten something bad, developed an infection, or has a sinus problem. It's a good idea to bring this up at your next veterinary checkup either way.
But if your dog only reverse sneezes only occasionally and doesn't seem to be too bothered by the episode, it's nothing to worry about!