🐶 Vet Guide 2025: Reverse Sneezing in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry 🩺💨

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

🔍 What Is Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing is a dramatic but generally harmless respiratory reflex seen in dogs. During an episode, dogs make rapid, repeated inhaling sounds that can resemble choking, gasping, or honking. It’s often mistaken for a medical emergency—but in most cases, it isn’t.

This condition is called “reverse” sneezing because the dog is inhaling air rapidly through the nose rather than expelling it, as in a typical sneeze.

🎥 What It Looks Like

A dog may:

• 😯 Extend their neck
• 🌬️ Expand their chest while struggling to inhale
• 🫢 Snort or make loud honking noises

While this can be alarming to witness, most episodes resolve in seconds to a minute without treatment.

💡 What Causes Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing is caused by irritation of the throat or soft palate, triggering a spasm in the muscles that control breathing. Some common causes include:

🧪 Environmental or Physical Irritants

• 🌼 Pollen or allergens
• 🧴 Perfumes or cleaning sprays
• 🏠 Household chemicals
• 🐜 Nasal mites
• 🦴 Eating or drinking too fast

💨 Mechanical Triggers

• 🐕 Pulling on a leash
• 🔔 Tags or collars pressing on the throat
• 🎾 Excitement or play

🐾 Breed Predisposition

Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers) are more prone to reverse sneezing due to elongated soft palates that can be drawn into the throat during inhalation.

Small breeds also seem more prone, possibly due to narrower airways.

🩺 Is Reverse Sneezing Dangerous?

In most dogs, reverse sneezing is harmless and does not require treatment. However, it’s essential to confirm the diagnosis with your veterinarian—especially if this is your dog’s first episode or if symptoms change.

When to Call the Vet:

• 📈 Episodes are frequent or prolonged
• 🩸 Nasal discharge or bleeding is present
• 😿 Your dog is distressed, lethargic, or not recovering after an episode
• 😤 Breathing remains labored even after sneezing stops

🧘 What You Can Do During an Episode

If your dog has a reverse sneezing episode:

• 🤲 Gently massage their throat to help stop the spasm
• 👃 Cover their nostrils briefly to encourage swallowing
• 🚪 Move them outdoors if environmental triggers are suspected

Stay calm. Your dog will pick up on your anxiety. Most dogs recover on their own within seconds.

💊 Treatment & Monitoring

While reverse sneezing usually doesn’t require treatment, if a root cause is identified, addressing it can reduce episodes:

• 🐛 Mites – Treated with antiparasitics like ivermectin
• 🤧 Allergies – Managed with antihistamines
• 🧬 Chronic irritation – May need rhinoscopy or biopsy for diagnosis

Chronic cases may warrant further testing, including nasal endoscopy or allergy testing. In rare instances, no cause is found and episodes are lifelong but benign.

🐱 What About Cats?

Reverse sneezing is less common in cats. If your cat shows similar signs, contact your vet—it may be feline asthma or upper airway disease, which require medical attention.

📦 Prevention Tips

• 🧼 Use unscented cleaning products
• 💨 Avoid aerosol sprays around your pet
• 🌱 Minimize pollen exposure during allergy seasons
• 🐕 Use harnesses instead of collars for leash walks

🩺 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Reverse sneezing sounds scary, but it’s usually nothing to fear. The episodes can be noisy and dramatic, but they rarely indicate a serious health issue. As always, your veterinarian is your best partner for determining whether your dog’s symptoms are harmless—or a sign of something more.

If your dog has frequent reverse sneezing or other breathing changes, don’t hesitate to get a checkup. Together, we can ensure your pup breathes easy and lives well. 🐾

📲 Still Unsure? Ask A Vet Anytime!

If you're unsure whether your dog’s breathing is normal or if you're worried about reverse sneezing, get immediate peace of mind. Download the Ask A Vet app to chat live with veterinarians like Dr Duncan Houston—anytime, anywhere. 💬🐶🩺