Reverse sneeze or Collapsed Trachea?

Reverse sneezing in dogs can be alarming if you’ve never experienced it before. But, luckily, it’s not quite as scary as it sounds.

Reverse sneezing occurs primarily in dogs and much less frequently in cats. Here’s what you need to know about reverse dog sneezing and what you can do to help stop it.

What Is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs?

Reverse sneezing, or an inward sneeze, is a sudden, involuntary respiratory reflex. It occurs when a dog’s soft palate (the soft part on the roof of the mouth that separates the nasal passage from the oral cavity) becomes irritated.

This irritation causes the soft palate muscles to spasm, resulting in a temporary narrowing of the trachea. The dog extends his neck as he expands his chest to breath, but the narrowed trachea makes it difficult for the dog to fully inhale like normal. The dog then repeatedly attempts to inhale through his nose, which results in a snorting noise. 

Why Do Dogs Reverse Sneeze?

Dogs most commonly reverse sneeze to expel an irritant from the soft palate or throat. This is similar to how dogs sneeze to remove irritants from their noses. Anything that irritates the soft palate can lead to a reverse sneezing episode, including a blade of grass, pollen, or dirt.

Other causes of soft palate irritation that may result in reverse sneezing include the following:

• Allergies

• Household products (perfume, cleaning products, air fresheners)

• Pulling on the leash while attached to a collar

• Overexcitement 

• Exercise intolerance

• Objects in the throat (such as a foreign body or a mass)

• Nasal mites

• Elongated soft palate (common in brachycephalic breeds)

• Eating or drinking

What Does Reverse Sneezing in Dogs Sound Like?

Reverse sneezing in dogs sounds like the dog is actually inhaling their sneezes, hence the name “reverse sneezing.” It’s a loud, snorting sound that can sometimes sound like a goose honking or be confused with the dog choking.