Autumn is already here. Together with its beautiful colors and fun activities, it brings pumpkins, cozy candles, and scents into homes. Besides that, this season can also bring some other things that may concern you, like more frequent sneezing in dogs. 

Sneezing in dogs and cats can be caused by different triggers

Autumn is a season when pet parents commonly perceive their pups are sneezing a lot, or at least more than usual. Sneezing in dogs and cats can be caused by different triggers, ranging from dust, mold, and scents to more serious causes like infections, foreign bodies, and dental conditions, among others. 

In this blog, we will take a closer look at what can cause constant sneezing in dogs, when this symptom could signal an underlying health issue, and how to manage common triggers, especially during autumn.

Why Do Dogs Sneeze?

Just like in humans, sneezing is a natural reflex of a dog’s body caused by a determined trigger to clear the nasal passages from things like discharge, foreign materials, or irritants.

Common harmless causes of sneezing in dogs can be dust, mild temporary irritation, and even excitement. The presence of sneezing in response to these triggers should not concern you, as it’s a natural protective response of your little one’s body. However, if the sneezing persists and it’s more frequent than usual, it may be a sign that something else is happening. 

Seasonal Triggers: Pumpkins, Candles, and Fall Scents

As mentioned earlier, autumn is a season when some pet parents can notice their dogs are sneezing a lot.  Let’s go over the most common triggers that this season can bring.

Pumpkins

Carved and decaying pumpkins can harbor mold, a common, potential airborne allergen for many pets found in many places, not only in pumpkins. Remember that pumpkin is a safe and usually beneficial food for dogs’ digestive health. But be careful with decaying ones.

Candles

Dogs have a very sensitive olfactory system, and things that can be very pleasant for us, like candles and fragrances, can be irritants and uncomfortable for them. For example, scented or paraffin candles can release smoke and chemicals that irritate their airways. If you love candles and don’t want to stop using them, safe alternatives include those made from soy or beeswax – and be sure to limit the amount of time they burn.

Fall Scents

Similar to candles, any kind of scents, like air fresheners, sprays, and potpourri, can also irritate dogs’ airways due to the presence of volatile organic compounds. Also, some essential oils like cinnamon and clove, typical of this season, can cause irritation and even toxicity in extreme cases. Always make sure that the scents you are using are safe for pets. 

Other Causes of Sneezing in Dogs and Cats

Seasonal autumn triggers are not the only thing to watch for if you feel your dog is constantly sneezing. There are many other reasons that can cause sneezing in dogs.

Allergies

Common allergens that can cause constant sneezing in dogs are, for example, pollen, dust, and mold. These factors should always be considered as potential causes of allergies when a dog is constantly sneezing, especially because it’s easy to overlook them, as these particles are invisible to the naked eye. They may be associated with certain seasons, but they can also be a year-round issue.

Infections

As you may already know, respiratory infections can cause respiratory symptoms in dogs as well, including sneezing. These infections can be viral, bacterial, or even fungal. If you suspect your dog may have a respiratory infection, prompt veterinary attention is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening. Bacterial and particularly fungal infections can be very challenging to cure.

Foreign Bodies

Although less common, it is not impossible for dogs to get foreign bodies in their nasal passages, and this should always be considered a potential cause of constant sneezing. Foreign bodies can be debris, grass seeds, and other elements from nature, usually caught when playing outdoors or swimming.

Dental Disease in Nasal Cavity

When dental disease is located in the upper jaw and is not effectively treated, the infection can progress and move towards the nasal cavity, causing inflammation and irritation and consequent respiratory symptoms like constant sneezing.

Nasal Mites

Mites can sometimes colonize and live in the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses of dogs, causing irritation, constant sneezing, and other respiratory symptoms. The definitive diagnosis needs to be made by a veterinarian through diagnostic imaging to directly visualize the mites in the nasal passages.

When Sneezing Is a Cause for Concern

Although sneezing is a natural body reaction, that doesn’t mean we should ignore it, especially when it becomes more frequent. The following symptoms related to sneezing are considered concerning:

• Sneezing with blood
• Persistent sneezing that won’t stop
• Nasal discharge (clear, yellow, or bloody)
• Pawing at face
• Difficulty breathing

If any of these symptoms are present, your little one needs veterinarian care as soon as possible. Providing them with timely medical care will help prevent the condition from progressing and becoming a more serious problem.

Comfort and Care Tips for Sneezing Dogs

The first step to take care of our furry friends always starts at home with simple but very helpful measures. Here we share some practical steps: 

1. Reduce Exposure

Avoid using scented candles, air fresheners, cleaning products with strong fragrance, and décor that may accumulate mold. For this season specifically, throw away pumpkin decor before it gets too old and moldy. Prefer products that are hypoallergenic and pet-friendly.

2. Clean the Air

Open windows and ventilate your house daily, for at least a short period. Keep in mind that, if your little one is allergic to pollen, then air purifiers may be a better option than opening windows, as this can increase the amount of pollen inside your house during the high season. Humidifiers are also helpful to keep their airways hydrated and healthy, especially during the cold season, when heaters tend to dry the air and consequently their airways. 

3. Wipe Paws and Face after Outdoor Walks

This simple tip can help reduce the introduction of pollen and plants’ small particles that can cause sneezing in allergic dogs.

4. Consult a Veterinarian

Avoid using homemade essential oils and scents, as well as over-the-counter medications, without your trusted veterinarian’s approval.

Natural support with NHV supplements

At NHV, we have formulated several natural supplements that can provide support for the respiratory system and common causes of sneezing. Some of them include:

• NHV Resp-Aid: our primary formula for respiratory support. Resp-Aid is vet-formulated to help support a variety of pet respiratory symptoms, including dog sneezing. The natural formula contains nine different herbs that have anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, demulcent, and anti-catarrhal properties targeted to support the respiratory system.
  
  
• NHV Natures Immuno: If the cause of sneezing is related to an infection, the medicinal mushrooms in this natural blend can be a good option. Natures Immuno contains five well-studied medicinal mushrooms that provide valuable support for the immune system. Additionally, one of its ingredients, Reishii mushroom, has been shown to have benefits for the respiratory system.
  
  
• NHV Alge-Ex: When the cause of sneezing is environmental allergies, this vet-formlulated herbal formula can provide support against classic respiratory symptoms of allergies, like sneezing and runny nose, watery eyes, and itchiness. 
  

Veterinary Care and Support

If sneezing is becoming more and more frequent, it might be the right time to take your little one to the vet.

When the reason for the visit is constant sneezing, your veterinarian will need to run a series of exams and sometimes tests to rule out different potential causes; as we saw earlier, there are many different causes of sneezing in dogs.

They will most probably do a physical exam of your little one’s airways first, with emphasis on their nose, but also their whole respiratory system. If necessary, they may also take samples with a nasal swab, radiography, and bloodwork, among others.

Treatments can vary greatly

Depending on the confirmed diagnosis, the treatments can vary greatly, just like the potential causes of sneezing. This is why it is crucial to visit your veterinarian when sneezing becomes a constant issue, rather than trying to find the cause on your own. Although sneezing may sometimes seem like a minor symptom, it can reflect that something that needs attention is happening, and they are the ones who have the tools and expertise to find the underlying cause and treat it accordingly.

Conclusion

Sneezing is a normal response of the body to protect it from potential harmful factors. It’s normal when it happens occasionally, but if it becomes a persistent symptom, veterinary attention is necessary. There are both non-seasonal and seasonal triggers that can cause a dog to sneeze constantly. Among the seasonal triggers, especially during autumn, common triggers can be candles, scents, and pumpkins with mold. If you believe that your little one is sneezing a lot and it becomes a concerning symptom, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian to rule out any underlying issue.