Why is your dog making strange noises? Are they having an asthma attack or in danger of suffocating? This is probably what some dog owners ask themselves when their dog suddenly starts "reverse sneezing."

In specialist circles, reverse sneezing is sometimes also referred to as "reverse coughing."

There are numerous videos circulating on the internet in which dogs make strange rattling noises and then look at the camera in horror.

What some dog owners seem to find funny causes others serious concern.

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In most cases, however, the fear is unfounded, because even if a dog sneezing backwards sounds very dangerous, it is not normally life-threatening.

Backward sneezing in dogs is not a direct disease, but rather a reflex that is triggered by irritation in the nasopharynx above the soft palate.

Similar to coughing or sneezing, dogs cannot suppress such a muscle spasm.

As the name suggests, backward sneezing is the opposite of sneezing. When a dog sneezes backwards, it sucks in a lot of air through its nose quickly and jerkily.

Theoretically, any dog can sneeze backwards, but some dog breeds are more prone to sneezing backwards than others for anatomical reasons.

Backward sneezing is more common in short-headed ("brachycephalic") dog breeds, which have a smaller larynx and a narrower windpipe, which is why their soft palate is more easily irritated.

Breeds with strongly rounded heads and short noses, or small dogs with a short neck, also tend to sneeze backwards.

These dog breeds, for example, often tend to sneeze backwards:

• Boxer
• Bulldog
• Cavalier King
• Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua
• French Bulldog
• Maltese
• Molosser
• Pug
• Pekingese
• Terriers

Backward sneezing can also occur in cats, but this is very rare.

A physical reflex is usually triggered by an external stimulus. Backward sneezing in dogs is caused by irritation of the nasopharynx or the region above the soft palate (rhinopharynx.)

Possible triggers for reverse sneezing in dogs:

• Stress or excitement, e.g. during play
• Exertion
• Scents e.g. room sprays, cleaning agents, perfume, cigarette smoke
• Food, drink (fast eating, type of food)
• Dust and other particles in the air
• Allergies
• Small parts in the nasopharynx e.g. a piece of a branch
• Inflammation in the nose, mouth, throat, or tonsils of the dog
• Nasal mites
• Growths, e.g. due to cancer
• Breed-related anatomy
• Overweight
• Their collar is too tight
• Sudden change in temperature in the environment

Ideally, dog owners will find the cause of their dog's backward sneezing and eliminate it accordingly.

If the dog sneezes backwards, it sounds as if the animal is pulling up mucus in its nose. The sound is similar to a grunt, short snoring, or even rattling.

Other physical signs of backward sneezing in dogs are

• Tense body
• Closed mouth and the corners of the mouth pulled far back
• Stretched neck and a slightly raised head
• Esually a straight, sometimes slightly rounded back
• Elbows splayed out from the body
• Jerky intake of air

While sneezing backwards, dogs themselves often appear very anxious, frightened, and stare ahead with their eyes wide open. Sometimes it can happen that the dog sneezes backwards and then vomits.

Normally, harmless backward sneezing in dogs is over after a few seconds.

A dog sneezing backwards may sound terrible, but in most cases, dog owners do not need to take any countermeasures. The usual backwards sneezing usually only lasts a few seconds, and the dog is fine afterwards.

If you follow the tips below, you can help your dog get over the backward sneeze.

1st tip: Always keep calm.

In any case, dog owners should remain calm when their dog suddenly sneezes backward. Their own mood is transferred to the animal. If you panic, you also increase the dog's fear and stress, which could make the backward sneezing even worse.

2nd tip: Trigger the dog's swallowing reflex.

If you also want to help the animal and are really confident, you can encourage it to swallow.

The following can trigger a swallowing reflex in the dog:

• Offering something to drink
• Offer a treat
• Gently massage the larynx
• Lift the chest slightly or tap it lightly
• Press the nose for a few seconds
• Hold the cheeks so that more air passes through the nose

Regardless of what measures are taken to prevent backward sneezing, the most important thing is that the dog does not get even more riled up as that can make breathing problems worse.

Although backward sneezing in dogs is usually harmless, dog owners should keep a close eye on their dogs.

If the dog does not stop sneezing backwards, it should be examined by a vet. The same applies if the dog sneezes backwards very often over a longer period of time, for example, if it sneezes backwards several times a day for several days.

If the dog also shows other symptoms such as nosebleeds, breathing difficulties, and is very tired, listless, or otherwise behaves abnormally after sneezing, then the animal should be urgently presented to a vet.

Reverse sneezing in dogs is not a cause for concern in most cases. The decisive factor is how long the sneezing lasts and how the dog feels afterwards.