If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely seen them sneeze when excited and wondered what it was all about. We know dogs have sensitive noses. Watching them sneeze when they’re happy may make us laugh, and since it happens so often, we consider it to be normal behavior. But why does this happen? Is it ever something serious that we need to worry about?
We might watch our dogs sneeze when they’re playing with another dog, welcoming us at the door after a long day, or enjoying a toy or treat. If they’re excited, you’ll know it. That huff of air through their noses doesn’t lie!
Below, we’ll discuss a few reasons why this occurs to help you understand your silly pup a little better.
The 5 Reasons Dogs Sneeze When Excited
1. They’re So Excited (and They Just Can’t Hide It)
The excited sneeze is more of a snort. It’s a sudden rush of air out through the nose that can sound like a huff. The reason for this is simply that they’re happy. It isn’t a true sneeze.
What Is a True Sneeze?
A true sneeze starts when something irritates or tickles the inside of the nose. The dog will then sneeze, starting in their chest, to try to expel the irritant. This is often accompanied by saliva or mucus.
If your dog is sick or suffering from allergies, you’ll notice other signs. Red, runny eyes, a leaking nose, and maybe even facial swelling are all signs of allergies. If your dog has a respiratory infection, the signs to watch for include increased production of mucus (which is sometimes green or yellowish), decreased appetite, runny eyes, and sometimes, a cough. Sneezing can also occur when the dog isn’t necessarily happy or excited and needs to be checked by a vet.
What’s an Excited Sneeze?
The cause of an excited sneeze isn’t an irritant in the nose. Dogs aren’t doing it to try to clear their noses. It is a much shallower sneeze, usually just a huff of air through a harsh exhalation. It can sound like a sneeze and sometimes even produce saliva. But it’s an emotional response rather than a physical one.
2. It’s Calming to Them
Sneezing can help a dog dissipate tension, which means an excited sneeze can be used to calm a situation before it gets out of control. This is part of a dog’s body language toward another dog. In the middle of roughhousing, one or both dogs could start excitedly sneezing. This serves as a reminder to each other that they are just playing. Neither is trying to start a real fight.
When a dog excitedly sneezes toward you during play, they are telling you that their intentions are peaceful. Even if they’re growling while tugging on a toy you’re holding, the sneeze lets you know that they’re not being aggressive.
Even if a dog doesn’t excitedly sneeze that much, they still understand and appreciate the cues from other dogs!
3. They’re Inviting Play
When a dog approaches another dog and excitedly sneezes, they’re inviting the dog to play with them. They’re telling the dog that they are interested in just playing, not an actual fight. As the play becomes more intense, you may notice the dogs sneezing more. This is a reminder for them to keep it fun. It also means your dog is having a great time! If you’ve ever witnessed a real fight between dogs, you know sneezing doesn’t occur.
These shallow sneezes are a way for your dog to communicate and aren’t anything to be concerned about. If you notice your dog sneezing more than usual and the cause is not excitement, play, or happiness, it’s time to figure out the cause. We suggest consulting with one of our vets to help you determine the next steps.
4. They Have a Sensitive Nose
Sometimes, dogs sneeze during play due to their facial expressions. A curling lip or opening and closing their mouths to bite something playfully could cause their extra-sensitive noses to itch. If a dog’s nose gets touched or bumped, it could cause a sneezing reaction. Playing outdoors can also kick up dust, dirt, grass, pollen, and other things that are almost immediately inhaled by the dog. If the nose is irritated, a sneeze will clear it quickly so play can continue.
5. It’s Communication
In a study of African wild dogs, they were observed sneezing. One dog would sneeze to start a hunting trip, and other dogs would then join in, getting excited about the suggested activity and sneezing in return.
Researchers noticed that the hunt would only happen if enough dogs sneezed. It was like the initial sneezer asking, “Hey, should we head out now?” If the reply included only a few sneezes, the dogs would sleep instead. If most of the dominant dogs sneezed, the pack would start on the hunt.
It also depended on who was sneezing. If the first sneezer were the pack leader, the hunt would happen even if just a few sneezes were returned. If the dog had a lower rank, many more sneezes would need to happen for the hunt to start.
Passed on from dogs’ wild ancestors, the excited sneeze is another way to communicate.
When to Be Concerned
If your dog is sneezing due to a minor allergy (with a diagnosis determined by a veterinarian), it’s not a serious condition. You might notice the sneezing happening more frequently at certain times of the year, such as when more pollen or dust is in the environment. Just keep an eye on your dog and monitor their condition. Your vet might prescribe medication to ease their clinical signs and discomfort.
If the sneezing is accompanied by pain, lethargy, nasal discharge, or coughing, your dog should be evaluated by a vet to see if they have a respiratory infection or illness.
Foreign Object in the Nose
If your dog is sneezing repeatedly, they may be trying to dislodge something stuck in their nasal passage. If that is the case, a veterinarian will have to remove the object. An irritant like pollen or dust could also be the culprit, but your dog should be able to clear that after a few strong sneezes.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered a few reasons your dog excitedly sneezes, you can try sneezing back at them! If you playfully sneeze at your dog, you might find that they take off to find their toys to bring you or wait by the door to head outside for a walk. It’s a cute way to communicate, and you can watch your dog do it around other dogs, too.
Sneezing is a cause for concern when accompanied by other signs and occurs when your dog is not excited. If you notice anything out of the ordinary or the sneezing doesn’t stop, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Sometimes, allergies are the cause, or your pup may have an illness, infection, or a foreign object irritating their nasal passages.
While there is so much we don’t know about how dogs communicate, the more we understand, like excited sneezing, the closer we can be to our pups.
Related Reads:
- 4 Reasons Why Dogs Pee When Excited (And How to Stop It)
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Featured Image Credit: olgagorovenko, Shutterstock
