Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: What It Is and How to Help
If you have never heard a dog reverse sneeze before, the first time it happens will likely terrify you.
Your dog suddenly stops in their tracks, extends their neck, widens their eyes, and starts making a loud, rapid, honking or snorting sound. They look like they are choking, having an asthma attack, or struggling to catch their breath. Your immediate instinct is to panic and reach for the phone to call the emergency vet.
Take a deep breath. As scary as it sounds, reverse sneezing is incredibly common, usually completely harmless, and over in a matter of seconds.
What Exactly Is a Reverse Sneeze?
A regular sneeze happens when your dog forcefully pushes air out through their nose to expel an irritant.
A reverse sneeze (clinically called paroxysmal respiration) is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of pushing air out, the dog rapidly pulls air in through their nose. This happens when there is an irritation in the soft palate or the back of their throat. The body forces a sudden, rapid inhalation to try and clear whatever is causing the tickle. That rapid intake of air over the soft palate creates that loud, goose-like honking noise.
What Triggers It?
Small breeds (like Pugs, Chihuahuas, and French Bulldogs) are more prone to reverse sneezing due to the anatomy of their smaller throats, but it can happen to any dog, of any size.
Common triggers include:
Allergies: Pollen, dust mites, or strong household perfumes can irritate the throat.
Pulling on the leash: A collar pulling too tightly against a dog's windpipe can easily trigger a spasm.
Overexcitement: Some dogs reverse sneeze purely because they get too worked up when you come home.
Eating or drinking too fast.
Sudden temperature changes: Moving from a hot yard into a heavily air-conditioned house.
How to Stop a Reverse Sneeze
Most reverse sneezing episodes last less than 30 seconds and resolve entirely on their own. Once it stops, your dog will likely shake off and go right back to whatever they were doing as if nothing happened.
However, if the noise is distressing you or the dog seems stuck in the spasm, there is a simple trick to break the cycle:
Gently massage your dog's throat to encourage them to swallow. Swallowing helps clear the irritation and realigns the soft palate.
If massaging the throat doesn't work, briefly and gently cover your dog's nostrils with your fingers for a second or two. This forces them to open their mouth to breathe and usually interrupts the reverse sneeze immediately.
When to See a Vet
While a sporadic reverse sneeze is nothing to worry about, there are a few scenarios where you should book a vet appointment:
It becomes chronic: If your dog is reverse sneezing several times a day, every single day, there might be a larger underlying issue like severe allergies, nasal mites, or an object (like a grass awn) stuck in their nasal passage.
Nasal discharge or bleeding: A regular reverse sneeze is dry. If you see colored discharge or blood, head to the vet.
It starts suddenly in old age: If your senior dog has never reverse sneezed in their life and suddenly starts doing it frequently, a vet should examine their throat to rule out polyps or tumors.
Next time your dog starts making that terrifying honking sound, stay calm. Give their throat a gentle rub, wait it out, and know that they are going to be just fine.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet if you notice sudden changes in your pet’s behavior.