Why Does My Dog Snort and Breathe Inwards? Understanding Reverse Sneezing
Your dog suddenly stops, stretches their neck and starts making a noise somewhere between a pig snorting and a motorbike refusing to start.
It sounds alarming. You wonder whether they’re choking — then, moments later, they’re back to investigating a suspicious crumb while you’re still recovering.
This could be reverse sneezing, a common reflex that is usually harmless. But not every snort or breathing episode is a reverse sneeze, so knowing when to seek help matters.
If your dog is struggling to breathe, collapses or has blue, grey or unusually pale gums, seek emergency veterinary help immediately. Don’t wait to see whether it passes.
What is reverse sneezing?
During a normal sneeze, air is pushed out through the nose. During a reverse sneeze, your dog makes repeated, sudden inward snorts.
Irritation at the back of the nose and throat can trigger this reflex. Its medical name is paroxysmal respiration — although “that frightening snorting noise” is probably easier to remember.
What does a reverse sneeze look like?
Your dog may:
Stop what they’re doing and stand still.
Extend their head and neck.
Keep their mouth closed.
Flare their nostrils.
Make several loud inward snorts in succession.
Many episodes last around 30–60 seconds, although some are shorter and others last longer. Dogs typically return quickly to normal afterwards.
These features can help you describe an episode, but they don’t prove the diagnosis. Don’t use a stopwatch to decide whether a dog in distress needs help.
Why do dogs reverse sneeze?
Reverse sneezing isn’t fully understood. It often appears to be a response to irritation in the upper airway.
Possible triggers include dust, pollen, air fresheners, excitement, pulling against a lead, and eating or drinking quickly. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.
Repeated episodes don’t automatically mean an allergy. Foreign material, infections, nasal mites and other airway problems can also be involved. Your vet can assess whether investigation is needed.
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Can Staffies and other bull breeds get it?
Yes — reverse sneezing can affect any breed and any age. It is reported more frequently in smaller dogs and flat-faced breeds.
In some flat-faced dogs, an elongated soft palate contributes to the problem. However, recurring breathing difficulty should never be accepted as simply a breed characteristic. Changes in a dog with an existing airway condition need veterinary advice.
What should you do during an episode?
For a dog whose reverse sneezing has already been assessed, and whose episode matches their usual brief pattern:
Stay calm. Speak quietly and avoid fussing.
Pause activity. Give your dog space and avoid tension on the lead.
Offer gentle reassurance. Light stroking may help if they welcome it.
Observe their recovery. Check that their breathing and behaviour return to normal.
Most mild, occasional episodes stop on their own and need no treatment.
Should you cover their nostrils?
Some veterinary guidance describes briefly covering the nostrils to encourage swallowing. However, this should not be a default response to an unexplained breathing problem.
Ask your vet whether it is appropriate for your dog and have them demonstrate it. For a general home-care approach, calm reassurance and observation avoid unnecessary interference with breathing.
When should you speak to your vet?
Arrange a check if episodes:
Start unexpectedly.
Become more frequent or severe.
Affect your dog’s everyday comfort.
Leave them taking longer than usual to recover.
A short video can be extremely useful — particularly when your dog arrives at the surgery determined to demonstrate perfect silence. Note what happened beforehand and roughly how long it lasted.
Only film if it is safe. Never delay emergency care to record an episode.
Reverse sneezing or a breathing emergency?
An occasional, confirmed reverse sneeze usually resolves quickly. Genuine respiratory distress can worsen rapidly.
Seek urgent veterinary help for:
Ongoing difficulty breathing or obvious effort from the chest or abdomen.
Blue, grey or unusually pale gums.
Weakness or collapse.
Rapid deterioration.
Suspected choking.
Keep your dog calm, minimise handling and call the veterinary practice ahead if possible. Normal-looking gum colour does not cancel out obvious breathing difficulty.
Does it need treatment?
Many dogs with occasional reverse sneezing need none. If episodes are persistent or troublesome, your vet may investigate the underlying cause. This can include examining the nose and throat and, where appropriate, using imaging or a small camera called a rhinoscope. Treatment depends on the findings.
A reverse sneeze can sound far more dramatic than it turns out to be. Knowing what your dog’s usual episode looks like can make it less frightening — while recognising a change helps you act when it matters.
DogSense by Advanced Animal Care — helping you understand the dog behind the behaviour.
General information only; this article does not replace veterinary assessment.
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