Reverse Sneezing In Dogs: What It Is & What To Do

Written by Dr Leigh Davidson BVSc, BApplSc

What Reverse Sneezing Looks Like In Dogs

Watch on YouTube

This video shows exactly what reverse sneezing looks like in dogs. It can look and sound alarming, especially if you haven't seen it before, but it's usually harmless and not the same as choking.

During an episode, a dog usually stands still, stretches their neck forward, and makes repeated snorting, honking or gagging sounds while pulling in air through the nose.

In many otherwise healthy dogs, an occasional reverse sneeze is berief and not dangerous. However, noisy breathing should never be ignored if your dog seems distressed, cannot stop or settle, has pale or blue gums, collapses, has blood or discharge from the nose, or appears to be struggling to breathe.

Reverse sneezing is also called inspiratiory paroxysmal respiration. It happens when irritation around the back of the nose, soft palate or throat triggers a reflex spasm. The episode often lasts a few seconds to a minute and then stops on its own.

Is My Dog Choking Or Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing is often mistaken for choking because it can sound so dramatic and your dog will often look scared/worried. The difference is that many dogs having a reverse sneeze are still moving air, remain conscious and return to normal quickly once the episode passes.

Reverse sneezing is noisy but airflow is still present. Choking is usually silent and far more serious.

Choking is an emergency. If you are unsure whether your dog is choking or reverse sneezing, treat as urgent and head to a veterinary hospital immediately.

Signs Your Dog May Be Choking Or In Respiratory Distress (Emergency)

Seek urgent veterinary help if your dog has any of the following signs:

• Gasping, retching or struggling with little or no sound
• Blue, grey very pale or muddy-coloured gums
• Collapse, weakness or severe distress or panic
• Pawing frantically at the mouth or face
• Difficulty breathing that continues after the episode
• Blood from the nose or mouth
• A known or suspected foreign object such as a bone, toy, tennis ball, stick, grass seed or food lodged in the mouth or throat.

If you see these signs and your dog is calm enough and it's safe to do so, open the mouth to check for an obvious obstruction. Don't push your fingers deep into the throat.  Attempt first aid if trained, and go to a veterinarian immediately if breathing is difficult or you cannot confidently tell what is happening.

Signs Your Dog Is Reverse Sneezing

• Loud honking, snorting or gagging sounds
• Repeated inward breaths through the nose
• Neck extended and elbows out
• Episode lasts seconds to a minute
• A quick return to normal behaviour afterwards.

Check the videos above to see if your dog looks and sounds similar.

A video can be very helpful for your vet, particularly if the episodes are sporadic. This will assist your vet to distinguish reverse sneezing from coughing (kennel cough), choking, tracheal collapse or other airway problems.

How To Stop Reverse Sneezing In Dogs

Most reverse sneezing episodes stop on their own. The most important this to do is to stay calm, keep your dog quiet, and avoid doing anything forceful or frightening.

Sometimes it can take a bit of trial and error to find a technique that will stop the breathing attack when it occurs.

Often you will notice your dog's eyes bulging and they get quite anxious.

It is scary, it's a reflex spasm that they have no control over.

The aim is to get your dog to swallow because swallowing can help interrupt the reflex spasm. You can try:

• Lift their head up and gently massage their throat area
• Offer them some food or a treat – only if they are fully alert and not choking
• Open their mouth and gently manipulate their tongue to encourage swallowing – take care not to get bitten
• Lift up their ear and blow firmly in it
• Cover your dog's nostrils briefly for 2-3sec to make them gasp for breath
• Move your dog away from any possible triggers such as smoke, perfume, dust, cleaning products, candles, diffusers or sudden cold air

Most dogs have an episode of reverse sneezing at some stage of their life. Remember, keep calm and contact our vets if you would like us to examine a video of your dog or cat.

When Should I See A Vet For Reverse Sneezing?

A single, short episode of reverse sneezing in an otherwise well dog is often not an emergency. However a veterinary check is recommended when:

• Episodes are frequent, worsening, or prolonged
• Your dog has a nasal discharge, blood from the nose, sneezing, coughing or gagging between episodes
• Your dog seems unwell, lethargic, off food or feverish
• Breathing appears difficult before, during or after the episode
• Your dog is a brachycephalic breed such as a French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso
• You're suspicious your dog has inhaled a foreign object.
• The episodes happen after eating, drinking, exercise or sleep
• Your cat has reverse-sneeze episodes

For many pets, there will be something in the environment that has triggered this response.

For Brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs etc, it is one of the indicators that your dog may require Boas surgery.

You can learn more about Boas Surgery in the article Why Your Dog Can't Breathe: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.

Cats don't commonly suffer from reverse sneezing in the same way dogs do. If your cat starts reverse sneezing, repeated snorting, gagging, coughing, wheezing or breathing changes, then a trip to the vet is warranted. It may be a sign of asthma, infection, nasal disease or a foreign body. These will need to be ruled out.

Full Vet Explanation And How To Stop Reverse Sneezing

Watch full video on YouTube

Reverse sneezing is similar to a regular sneeze, only in reverse – the air is drawn in rather than forced out.

However, while the reverse sneeze isn't 'harmful', this doesn't mean that you shouldn't investigate why they are making this dreadful noise.

Chronic reverse sneezing is a clinical sign that your dog (or cat) does have a respiratory condition that may require investigation.

What Is That Sneezing Sound My Dog Makes?

A reverse sneeze (otherwise known as inspiratory paroxysmal respiration) is a sudden, uncontrollable and forceful inhalation of air through the nasal cavity.

It is a quite common condition in dogs, particularly in brachycephalic breeds due to congenital abnormalities associated with their skull and nasal passages.

Occasionally we see a cat reverse sneeze, but this is rare. Reverse sneezing in cats is often due to a foreign body, nasal mites or respiratory illness.

Because reverse sneezing is a reflex, dogs can't control it any more than they (or us!) can control regular sneezing.

You might find that once your dog starts, it will continue to have a run of these reverse sneezes for a while, maybe over a few days.

What Reverse Sneezing Can Look Like In Different Dogs

Reverse sneezing can vary slightly between dogs. Here is another example of what an episode can look and sound like.

Watch on YouTube

Causes Of Reverse Sneezing In Dogs

Just like a normal sneeze where the air is forced out, a dog's reverse sneeze is often caused by irritation of the pharynx, larynx or throat area.

It doesn't cause pain, but this irritation can cause a spasm with an attack lasting anywhere from 30sec to a couple of minutes.

Irritation can be caused by:

• Allergies/irritants in the air i.e. diffusers, smoke, air fresheners.
• Polyps or tumour masses in the airway
• Foreign material i.e. pieces of grass, sticks, insects or fluff.
• Respiratory infections that increase secretions in the nasal cavity.
• Tooth or sinus infections
• Change in temperature or humidity ie. going from warm moist inside air to outside cold dry air can cause the nasal mucosa to become dry and irritated.
• Excitement and/or exercise – this is thought to be related to an increased respiratory rate that in turn increases airflow.

Brachycephalic dog breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso have shortened snouts and an elongated soft palate.

These dogs often suffer from reverse sneezing because their soft palate flips into the airway creating irritation and reflex spasm.

You can prevent reverse sneezing by minimising any of the causes mentioned above.

How Vets Diagnose The Cause Of Reverse Sneezing Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, this type of abnormal breathing isn't harmful per se, but it can mean that your dog (or kitty) has other problems going on.

When the sneezing episodes continue or become an issue then it is wise to have your vet clinically examine your dog.

They will ask a lot of questions to try and determine what may trigger this respiratory event.

Keep A Diary

It is worthwhile keeping a diary of when reverse sneezing occurs so that you can assist your veterinarian:

• What time of day did it occur?
• Were you inside or outside?
• What were the weather conditions or were you using air-conditioning?
• Were there any behaviour changes i.e. was your pup extremely excited or being extra boisterous?
• Were there any smells or pollutants in the environment i.e. someone was smoking, you have a candle burning or were using insect repellent?

If you own a dog with brachycephalic syndrome then the advice is for your dog to be assessed for BOAS and to have BOAS surgery performed.

If the suspicion is allergies, your vet may recommend an allergy test or treatments such as anti-histamines.

In some cases and often when we see this in cats, the vet will recommend an examination of the nasal passages, pharynx and larynx under general anaesthesia using a flexible scope.

This allows them to visualise areas impossible to view with the naked eye.

They will be looking for signs of chronic infection, nasal tumours or polyps and foreign bodies.

Does Reverse Sneezing Kill?

Most normal, healthy dogs will experience an episode of reverse sneezing at some stage of their life.

While reverse sneezing doesn't hurt your dog, it's worthwhile keeping in mind potential causes so that if it continues you can ask your vet to investigate and treat it.

Some of the triggers definitely can hurt your dog in the short and over longer-term.

Needless to say, if your best mate is experiencing any respiratory symptoms that are causing difficulty in breathing, or if the reverse sneezing is accompanied by a blood-tinged or thick nasal discharge, then yes, your pet does need to be examined by a veterinarian.

Remember, keep calm and contact our vets if you would like us to discuss potential causes.

What Other Conditions Sound Similar To A Reverse Sneeze?

There are a few respiratory conditions that can sound similar to a reverse sneeze such as the sound a dog makes when suffering from kennel cough or if it has a collapsing trachea.

Your vet will be able to differentiate the differences between these conditions and help you with the correct treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reverse Sneezing In Dogs

Can reverse sneezing in dogs be triggered by excitement?

Yes. Excitement or pulling on the lead can increase airflow and irritate the soft palate, triggering a reverse sneeze episode. This is common in small and brachycephalic breeds.

Why does my dog reverse sneeze repeatedly over a few days?

Short clusters can occur when there is ongoing irritation, such as from dust, pollen, or mild inflammation. If it continues for more than a few days or worsens, it should be investigated.

What can be mistaken for reverse sneezing in dogs?

Conditions that can look similar include choking, kennel cough, collapsing trachea and nasal foreign bodies. The key difference is that reverse sneezing is noisy with airflow, while choking is often silent and urgent.

Does reverse sneezing happen more in certain breeds?

Yes. It is more common in brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Shih Tzus due to their airway anatomy and elongated soft palate.

Can allergies cause reverse sneezing in dogs?

Allergies are a common trigger. Irritants such as pollen, dust, perfumes or smoke can stimulate the reflex that causes reverse sneezing.

Should I be worried if my dog reverse sneezes every day?

Daily episodes are not normal and should be assessed by a veterinarian. This may indicate chronic airway irritation, infection or structural issues.

Can reverse sneezing occur during sleep?

It is less common but can occur if airway positioning or irritation triggers the reflex. Frequent night episodes should be investigated.

Is reverse sneezing related to kennel cough?

Not directly. However, respiratory infections like kennel cough can irritate the airway and increase the likelihood of reverse sneezing episodes.

Why does my dog stretch their neck during a reverse sneeze?

This posture helps open the airway during the spasm. It is a typical sign and helps differentiate it from other respiratory conditions.

Can cats reverse sneeze like dogs?

It is uncommon. When it occurs in cats, it is more likely to indicate an underlying issue such as infection, inflammation or a foreign body and should be assessed.