If your dog is sneezing and snorting more than usual, it can be worrying — especially when the sounds seem sudden, loud, or frequent.
While occasional sneezing or snorting can be normal, repeated episodes often signal irritation or an underlying problem.
We outline the common causes of sneezing and snorting in dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Sneezing and Snorting: Why It Happens
A dog sneezing and snorting may be reacting to allergens, irritants, nasal inflammation, reverse sneezing episodes, infections, airway obstruction, or structural issues that affect breathing. These dual symptoms often occur together because both the nose and upper airway become irritated or inflamed at the same time.
Dog Sneezing and Snorting: Common Causes
Nasal Irritation
The most common reason dogs sneeze and snort is simple nasal irritation. Everyday particles like dust, pollen, hair, dirt, cleaning products, or fragrances can enter the nasal passages and trigger an immediate sneezing or snorting response.
Dogs explore the world through scent, sticking their noses into corners, grass, and objects that may stir up irritants.
Sneezing helps the dog push out trapped particles, while snorting clears the back part of the upper airway.
Dogs may have mild watery discharge, brief snorting fits, or short clusters of sneezes, especially after sniff-heavy walks or indoor cleaning.
Irritation-driven sneezing tends to resolve once the particles are expelled, but sensitive dogs may continue reacting throughout the day.
Read more: Dog sneezing and bleeding from nose (What it means)
Allergies
Dogs with allergies often sneeze and snort because their nasal passages and sinuses become inflamed.
When allergens such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or grass enter the nasal airway, the immune system reacts with swelling, irritation, and excess mucus. The result is repetitive sneezing, snorting, facial rubbing, or pawing at the nose.
Allergic dogs may also show itchy eyes, runny noses, licking of paws, or skin irritation. The sneezing-and-snorting combination occurs because allergies affect both the front and back of the nasal passages.
Dogs with chronic allergies may show symptoms during certain seasons or year-round depending on the trigger.
Reverse Sneezing Episodes
Reverse sneezing can look like snorting, honking, or gasping, and it often happens right after a normal sneeze.
This reflex occurs when the soft palate and throat become irritated, causing the dog to quickly inhale through the nose with a loud snorting sound. Many owners confuse reverse sneezing with choking, but it is usually harmless and lasts only a few seconds.
Reverse sneezing may follow exposure to allergens, strong smells, excitement, pulling on the leash, or rapid changes in temperature.
Dogs may freeze in place, extend their neck, and inhale forcefully until the episode passes. Because reverse sneezing irritates the nasal area, it frequently triggers follow-up sneezes.
Small dogs and brachycephalic breeds (like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus) experience reverse sneezing most often because of their airway structure.
Upper Respiratory Infection
Sneezing and snorting together are common early signs of a respiratory infection, especially kennel cough, canine influenza, or viral rhinitis.
When viruses or bacteria infect the nasal passages, inflammation causes congestion, irritation, and mucus buildup. Dogs may attempt to clear this by sneezing, then snorting when mucus drips into the throat.
Respiratory infections typically cause additional symptoms such as coughing, mild fever, decreased energy, or watery eyes.
Some dogs act completely normal between episodes, while others sound congested all day. Infections can start mild but worsen if not treated promptly, especially in young, senior, or immune-compromised dogs.
Nasal Mites
Nasal mites are tiny parasites that live in the nasal cavity and sinuses. They cause intense irritation, leading to sneezing, snorting, reverse sneezing, nose rubbing, and thick or crusty discharge.
Dogs with nasal mites often sneeze in clusters and show signs of discomfort around the muzzle.
These mites are spread through nose-to-nose contact with other dogs, shared bedding, or close interaction at parks and daycare.
While not extremely common, nasal mites are one of the more overlooked causes of chronic sneezing and snorting.
Foreign Object in the Nose
If a dog inhales a blade of grass, a seed, a small plant piece, or another foreign object, it can become lodged in the nostril and cause sudden, persistent sneezing and snorting.
Dogs may paw at their face, rub their nose on the ground, or sneeze violently in an attempt to dislodge the object.
The irritation can be intense, and the sneezing-and-snorting episodes tend to come in waves.
Dogs that frequently sniff tall grass or dig with their noses are most at risk. A lodged object may cause one-sided nasal discharge or blood if it scratches the lining.
Airway Obstruction
Dogs with narrow nasal passages or short snouts are more prone to sneezing and snorting due to how their airways are shaped.
Brachycephalic breeds often have elongated soft palates, narrow nostrils, and crowded throat structures that make airway sounds more common.
These structural issues cause increased snorting during excitement, exercise, or mild irritation. Sneezing may occur from turbulence in the nasal passages or chronic low-grade inflammation from restricted airflow.
While some noises are normal for these breeds, persistent sneezing and snorting can indicate worsening airway obstruction.
Dental Issues Affecting the Nasal Cavity
In some cases, dental disease — especially infected upper molars or canine teeth — can create inflammation that spreads into the nasal passages. Because the roots of certain teeth lie very close to the nasal cavity, infection can cause sneezing, snorting, nasal discharge, and discomfort.
A dog with dental-related nasal symptoms may also show bad breath, drooling, or chewing on one side of the mouth. These cases often worsen gradually and may be mistaken for allergies at first.
Nasal Inflammation
Rhinitis or sinusitis can cause daily sneezing and snorting due to swollen nasal tissues and excess mucus.
Dogs with chronic nasal inflammation may snort loudly to clear mucus from the throat or sneeze repeatedly to relieve pressure.
This inflammation may result from allergies, infection, trauma, irritants, or underlying immune conditions. The sneezing-and-snorting pattern is persistent, sometimes worse in the mornings or after naps.
Read more: Dog sneezing bloody mucus (Why it happens)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Sneezing and Snorting
Start by observing when the episodes occur — during walks, inside the home, after sniffing grass, during excitement, or at random. Identifying a pattern can help determine whether allergies, irritants, or environmental factors are contributing.
Keep your dog’s environment clean by vacuuming regularly, using air purifiers, and avoiding strong perfumes or cleaning sprays.
Check your dog’s face and nose for visible irritants, but do not insert anything into the nostrils.
If your dog experiences reverse sneezing, you can gently massage the throat or briefly cover the nostrils to encourage swallowing, which often stops the episode. Ensure your dog drinks plenty of water to help soothe the airway and thin mucus.
If symptoms seem allergy-related, wiping your dog’s paws and muzzle after outdoor time can reduce exposure. For dogs with chronic sensitivity, switching to fragrance-free cleaning products or using humidifiers may help.
Avoid grassy areas if you suspect inhaled plant material, and watch for signs of foreign objects in the nose. If symptoms persist for several days, worsen, or come with nasal discharge, your veterinarian should evaluate your dog.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Call your veterinarian if your dog is sneezing and snorting and:
• The symptoms last longer than a few days.
• There is thick, yellow, or bloody nasal discharge.
• Your dog struggles to breathe normally.
• Sneezing fits are violent or constant.
• Your dog paws at the face or rubs their nose excessively.
• Symptoms are one-sided (possible foreign object or tooth issue).
• Your dog has fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite.
• Reverse sneezing episodes become frequent or severe.
Some nasal issues require medication, imaging, or removal of lodged debris.
Read more: Dog Sneezing Excessively (What’s behind it?)
Key Takeaway
A dog sneezing and snorting may be reacting to mild irritation, allergies, reverse sneezing, nasal inflammation, or something lodged in the airway.
While many causes are harmless and temporary, persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian. With timely care, most dogs recover quickly and return to comfortable breathing.