Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is reverse sneezing. What should I do to help him?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years and 7 months old | 33 lbs

What do I do when my dog is reverse sneezing?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 8th, 2020

Usually you can just leave Rosko be until it stops. You can also try lightly blowing in his face. When you do this, it causes him to swallow a few times which should stop the reverse sneezing. If this is a consistent problem, then I would have him seen by a vet to have it treated. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my dog, Duke, 2 years old is having a reverse sneeze. Duke has had reverse sneezing all his life and is usually everyday, what’s can I do for him to make him not have them ?
Reverse sneezing is common in dogs and luckily it is not harmful. The cause of a reverse sneeze is definitively unknown, but allergies seem to play a role and environmental odors such as smoke, perfume and potpourri. Considering there is no identified cause for it, it is difficult to prevent the problem. Certainly, you should have your veterinarian give your dog an exam and rule out other causes of abnormal breathing, such as an upper respiratory tract infection, collapsing trachea, nasal tumors or polyps, foreign bodies in the nasal passages or mouth and others. Sometimes blood tests, allergy tests or radiographs are necessary to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Most reverse sneezing cases do not require treatment. During a reverse sneezing episode you can try to gently stroke the neck and try to calm your dog. If the episodes last longer than a minute your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine or decongestant medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog has reversed sneezed multiple times today. should I take him to the vet
If he continues to do so it would be a good idea to get him checked. Reverse sneezing is usually meant to clear the nasal passages of irritants so if he can't clear what is bothering him it may mean he has something else going on that induces these sneezing episodes. Pay attention when he does it to see if there is something in common with each incident that may be causing or contributing to the reverse sneezing that you can pass along to your vet, even video it if you get the chance.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a 'backward sneeze' which kind of sounds like him making a honking sound. It happens to him every time he inhales something that he probably shouldn't have. Is there a cure for this? Or is there anything I can do to help him when he is
Hi there! There is no cure for reverse sneezing. I know it seems like a horrible problem to have but it really does not harm the dogs. It looks and sounds worse than it is! When he is having an attack just keeping him calm and quiet and rubbing his throat would be the best thing you could do. The only other recommendation I would have is to get a HEPA air purifier for your home as this will cut down on the amount of allergens in the air which may help him breathe better. I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been countously sneezing and reverse sneezing for a while 3-6 times a day is this something I should be worried about?
If Cookie has not stopped reverse sneezing, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. This continuous reverse sneezing may be due to something lodged in the sinus / pharynx. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my pup has been having those inverted sneezes a lot lately... I was told there is nothing to worry about with them because it's something all dogs do, but I was wondering if there is something I can do to help prevent them. It looks like she r
Reverse sneezing is commonly caused by irritation to the back of the throat. In breeds like pugs with short noses there also tends to be excessive tissue in the back of the throats that causes irritation. You could talk to your vet and see if something like an antihistamine might be safe to try, although it may not help much. Some dogs that have major breathing issues related to brachycephalic airway disease, the syndrome seen in pugs and bulldogs that is related to malformation of the nose and airway, can benefit from surgery to trim some of the tissue of the soft palate.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been reverse sneezing for 3 days in a row constantly. He's a small dog and 8 years old. Should I take him to the vet? Is it dangerous?
I would recommend taking him to the vet if it is interfering with his daily activities. There could be for foreign material (i.e. Grass awns, hairs, etc) irritating his throat or an allergy that could respond to medical treatments through your vet. Typically reverse sneezing isn't dangerous however it can't be very bothersome to the pet. Getting him seeing in the next day or two is advised.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My chihuahua reverse sneezes sometimes, which I hear isn’t a major concern, but he’s gone into small fits a few times this week. How can I tell if this is a concern or not? What are the warning signs? Can it be cause by anxiety? I give him table food
Reverse sneezing can be stressful to your dog, and is very common in smaller breeds, but isn't usually harmful. Sometimes, opening your dog's mouth to let them take in air can help reduce the episode. If you're noticing a pattern with the episodes and excitement or food intake, taking steps to reduce people food (it's not good for dogs anyway and can cause other health issues!) or anxiety may help if it is related,. We also have this short article on reverse sneezing that may be useful! https://www.petcoach.co/article/reverse-sneezing-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been reverse sneezing and regular sneezing, she's not eating all her food now and has been throwing up yellow stuff a couple of times
Reverse sneezing is common in dogs). It is not harmful. The cause of a reverse sneeze is unknown, but allergies seem to play a role and environmental odors such as smoke, perfume and potpourri. You should have your veterinarian give your dog an exam and rule out other causes of abnormal breathing, such as an upper respiratory tract infection, collapsing trachea, nasal tumors or polyps, foreign bodies in the nasal passages or mouth and others. Sometimes blood tests, allergy tests or radiographs are necessary to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Most reverse sneezing cases do not require treatment. During a reverse sneezing episode you can try to gently stroke the neck and try to calm your dog. If the episodes last longer than a minute your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine or decongestant medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 year old dog is either reverse sneezing or has a problem with his Sinuses
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. A reverse sneeze can be caused by irritants in the upper airway region so if there has been an increased amount of dust in the air this could potentially be causing the symptoms you are seeing. An environmental allergy or an upper respiratory infection could also lead to these symptoms. A reverse sneeze should resolve within a short amount of time. However, if it persist or worsens, I would have a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had her soft palate and nose surgrey last year I say that cause in the past 2days since eating a carrot stick she has been reverse sneezing a lot which is unusual for her So I worry about her throat When should I be concerned about the snee
I had a patient that had managed to get a piece of carrot up into his nasopharyngeal area. After a week or more of reverse sneezing we did a nasal flush and found it. I have also seen nasal mites and cancer cause these signs. If he doesn’t improve soon then a nasal flush or rhinoscopy would be indicated. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food Dog Treats & Chews Dog Health & Wellness Dog Asthma Medication Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments Prescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs Dog Seizure Medication Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Blood Pressure Medication ProAir Dog Asthma Medication Wet Noses Doxycycline Dog Asthma Medication Sniff & Bark Ventolin Dog Asthma Medication Moe's Healthy Pets Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments Natural Remedies Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments PetAlive Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments HomeoPet Cold & Kennel Cough Treatments ProAir Dog Medicine and Prescriptions
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored