Reverse sneezing is a sudden, repeated inhalation through the nose that produces a loud snorting or honking sound. Medically called paroxysmal respiration, it happens when something irritates the soft palate or the back of the throat, causing a spasm that temporarily narrows the airway. Episodes typically last under 30 seconds, and the dog acts completely normal before and after. It looks alarming the first time you witness it, but in most cases it’s harmless.
What Happens During an Episode
In a regular sneeze, air is forced rapidly out through the nose to expel an irritant. Reverse sneezing does the opposite: air is pulled inward through the nose in short, forceful bursts. The dog usually stands still, extends its neck, and makes a rhythmic snorting or gagging sound that can be mistaken for choking or an asthma attack. The chest and abdomen may visibly contract with each inhalation. The soft palate, a flap of tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth, briefly gets displaced or irritated, triggering the spasm. The body is essentially trying to clear dust, allergens, or other irritants from the upper respiratory tract.
Most episodes resolve on their own within 10 to 30 seconds. Once the spasm stops, the dog returns to normal breathing immediately with no lingering effects.
Common Triggers
Reverse sneezing can be set off by a surprisingly wide range of things. Environmental irritants are the most frequent culprits: dust, pollen, household cleaners, perfumes, and cigarette smoke can all irritate the nasal passages or soft palate enough to trigger an episode. Some dogs reverse sneeze after eating or drinking too quickly, since the rapid swallowing motion can bump the soft palate.
Other common triggers include:
- Excitement or overexertion, especially during play or greeting people
- Pulling hard against a leash, which puts pressure on the throat
- Foreign material like grass, seeds, or plant matter getting lodged in the nasal passages
- Sudden temperature changes, such as moving from a warm house into cold air
- Nasal mites, a tiny parasite that colonizes the nasal passages
Many dogs have occasional reverse sneezing episodes throughout their lives with no identifiable pattern. If you notice episodes clustering around a particular activity, location, or season, that’s useful information to share with your vet.
Why Some Breeds Are More Prone
Any dog can reverse sneeze, but flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus experience it more often. These dogs are born with an elongated soft palate relative to the length of their shortened skull, which means the tissue hangs further back into the throat and is more easily displaced or irritated. This anatomical quirk is part of a broader condition called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, which also contributes to the snoring, snorting, and noisy breathing these breeds are known for.
Small-breed dogs in general tend to reverse sneeze more frequently than large breeds, likely because their airways are narrower and more easily triggered by minor irritants.
How to Help During an Episode
The most important thing you can do is stay calm. Your dog picks up on your anxiety, which can make the episode last longer. Most reverse sneezing stops on its own within half a minute.
A few gentle techniques can help shorten an episode. Lightly stroking your dog’s throat in a downward motion encourages swallowing, which can reset the soft palate to its normal position. Briefly covering both nostrils for just a second or two forces the dog to swallow and breathe through its mouth, which often ends the spasm. Some owners find that gently blowing in the dog’s face achieves the same effect. You can also try offering a small amount of water once the episode subsides to help soothe the throat.
Avoid reaching into the dog’s mouth or throat, and don’t restrain them forcefully. Let them stand in whatever position feels natural to them.
When Reverse Sneezing Signals Something More
Occasional reverse sneezing, even a few times a week, is generally not a concern. But changes in the pattern deserve attention. Episodes that become noticeably more frequent, last significantly longer than usual, or start happening daily when they previously didn’t could point to an underlying issue such as a nasal infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal), nasal mites, or a growth in the nasal passage.
Pay attention to accompanying symptoms. Nasal discharge, especially if it’s bloody or coming from only one nostril, is a red flag. So is labored breathing between episodes, persistent coughing, reduced appetite, or lethargy. These signs suggest something beyond simple soft palate irritation.
If your vet suspects an underlying cause, they can examine the nasal passages with a small camera, take swabs to check for infection or parasites, or use imaging to look for foreign objects or masses. In the vast majority of cases, though, reverse sneezing needs no treatment at all. It’s one of those quirks of canine anatomy that looks far worse than it actually is.