What this means
The first thing to judge is the pattern. Isolated sneezes after sniffing, play or excitement usually mean nothing. Sneezing that repeats over several days, comes in runs, or appears together with discharge is different.
Note down whether it happens only outdoors, only indoors or after a particular activity, whether the discharge comes from one nostril or both, and what colour it is. Discharge or blood from one nostril only is always a reason for an examination, because a grass seed or another foreign object can lodge in the nose.
In flat-faced breeds sneezing and noisy breathing can be linked to the structure of the nose. That is worth discussing with your vet, so it is clear what is normal for this particular dog and what is not.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Irritants and allergens
Dust, pollen, smoke or strong scents irritate the lining of the nose. The sneezing is then tied to a place or a time of year.
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A foreign object in the nose
A grass seed or a small fragment can lodge in a nostril. The sneezing is sudden and persistent, often with one-sided discharge and rubbing of the nose.
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Inflammation of the nose and sinuses
Inflammation or infection in the nose causes repeated sneezing, thicker discharge and sometimes harder breathing through the nose.
About the condition: Nasal disease -
Dental problems
Disease around the roots of the upper teeth can spread into the nasal passage, and the sneezing is then accompanied by discharge from one nostril.
About the condition: Dental and gum disease -
The structure of the nose
In short-nosed breeds, narrow nostrils and a short nasal passage can cause sneezing and noisy breathing.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether sneezing is occasional or in runs
- Whether discharge comes from one nostril or both, and its colour
- Whether your dog rubs the nose with a paw or on the ground
- Whether it happens only in one place or season
- Whether there is any blood from the nose
- Whether appetite and energy are normal
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if the sneezing lasts more than a few days, if there is nasal discharge, especially from one nostril, or if your dog becomes less lively or eats less.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Nasal disease Breathing This is an umbrella term for various problems of the nasal passages and sinuses: infections, inflammation, foreign bodies such as grass awns lodged in the nose, tooth root disease or tumours. A dog's nose matters not only for breathing but also for smell, the sense through which it gets to know the world. Lingering nose trouble can have very different causes, so it is worth showing to a vet.
- Allergies (food, skin and environmental) Skin and coat An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are essentially harmless, such as pollen, house dust mites, moulds, flea saliva or an ingredient in food. In dogs it shows up mainly in the skin and ears, and constant itching wears a dog down and can open the way to skin infections. More than one trigger can be involved at once, so finding the cause takes patience.
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome Breathing In short-muzzled dogs the nostrils, nasal passages, soft palate and throat are packed into very little space, so air has a harder time getting through. These dogs work harder to breathe than others, especially in heat, when excited or after exertion, and that can turn into real danger. How much it affects a particular dog varies a great deal, so their breathing is worth talking over with a vet.
- Kennel cough Infections Kennel cough is a contagious inflammation of the upper airways caused by one or more viruses and bacteria. Dogs catch it wherever many dogs meet: boarding kennels, training grounds, shows or popular walking spots. The dog has a loud, dry cough but may stay bright; what caused the cough is for a vet to establish.
Body systems: Breathing Skin and coat Infections