Is My Chihuahua Sneezing So Much? [Expert Opinion] (2023)

Sneezing is often a sign that your dog is happy and alert, especially when they’re playing. But it can also signal an underlying health problem, so it’s important to know the difference between playful sneezing and a more serious issue that needs to be addressed by your vet.

For the most part, sneezing is harmless and will usually stop on its own. But if your dog sneezes excessively or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like nose bleeds or breathing issues, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.

Is it normal for Chihuahuas to sneeze a lot?

When you notice your dog sneezing, it can be a sign of many different things. Sometimes it’s just a normal reaction to something that has irritated their nose, but sometimes it’s a sign of something more serious that needs to be treated by a vet.

One of the most common reasons that dogs sneeze is when they inhale something that’s stuck in their nose. It could be a grass seed called foxtail, a thorn, or a piece of a toy that’s gotten stuck in their nasal passages.

Another reason your dog might sneeze is if they have nasal issues like rhinitis. Rhinitis is caused by inflammation or irritation in the nose and can also be triggered by allergies.

If your dog sneezes frequently or if you notice they’re pawing at their nose more than usual, you should take them to the vet. This could indicate a problem in their nasal cavity, such as a nasal tumor. Alternatively, they may have a condition called hydrocephalus that can cause excessive fluid buildup in the head.

What can I give my Chihuahua for sneezing?

If your dog is sneezing non-stop and it isn’t just when they’re outdoors, you should take them to the vet. The vet can examine them to see what is causing the sneezing and give them medication or other treatments to help.

If you notice that your dog is sneezing more than usual during the winter, it could be a sign of seasonal allergies. The vet will prescribe medications to help alleviate the symptoms of sneezing and provide strategies for reducing their exposure to allergens.

A fungal infection in the nose can also cause sneezing. This happens when your dog inhales a fungus that is floating in the air or growing on dead leaves, grasses, or grains.

You may be able to look in your dog’s nose with a pair of tweezers and remove the object that is causing the sneezing. However, this isn’t always possible.

Sometimes, sneezing can be a sign of tracheal collapse, a serious medical condition that affects smaller dogs. This condition can cause sneezing, honking, breathing problems, and other symptoms.

Should I be worried if my dog is sneezing?

Dogs sneeze as a means to expel foreign bodies like dirt, grass, and pollen that have come into their nose. They also sneeze when they are excited or anxious about something and need to defuse their nerves.

If your dog is sneezing more frequently than usual, or if you are seeing them sneeze more than normal when they are out and about, then it might be worth getting them checked out by a vet. They will take a history from you and perform a physical examination to check for any other symptoms that might be causing them to sneeze more than usual, such as nasal discharge or a fever.

If your dog is sneezing when they are playing with you and you can see them trying to stick their kneecap out very straight, this could be a sign of a condition called a luxating patella. This is a genetic condition that causes the kneecap to move out of place easily, so it will need to be treated by the vet.

What can I give my dog for excessive sneezing?

If your dog has an underlying health problem that’s impacting their respiratory function, you can treat it with medication. But be sure to get veterinary advice first to find out what’s wrong and make sure they’re getting the best treatment possible.

One of the most common causes for excessive sneezing is foreign material that has become stuck in your dog’s nose. Sometimes it can dislodge, and this resolves the problem.

In other cases, it can be a sign of an underlying infection. Your dog will sneeze excessively, and may also have nasal discharge that contains blood or pus.

This can be a sign of bacterial or fungal rhinitis, and you’ll need to take your dog to the vet for examination.

Often, these problems can be easily treated by a veterinarian using x-rays and nasal endoscopy procedures to find the cause. You’ll be given anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medicines to treat the underlying infection.

How do I know if my dog has nasal mites?

The best way to know if your dog has nasal mites is to have a vet examine him. They can perform a physical examination to look at the ears, nose, and throat, and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.

They will also take a swab from your dog’s nostril and apply it to a microscope slide to see if there are any mites on it. If there are, this is a sign of an infestation.

Symptoms of an infection include bleeding from the nose, sneezing, “reverse sneezing” (where your pup quickly sniffs air inward), impaired scenting ability, facial itching, discharge, and labored breathing.

Luckily, most cases of nasal mites can be treated with antiparasitic medications that are safe and effective. Your vet will recommend the right preventative treatment for your dog based on his age and health.

Can I give my dog Benadryl for sneezing?

Allergies can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog, especially if they’re seasonal. If your pet is having allergy symptoms, there are many options to help reduce their discomfort.

Medications like Benadryl can be helpful in relieving the signs of allergies such as sneezing, itching, and hives. These medications block histamines, which are the cause of many of these symptoms.

But be sure to speak to your vet about this medication before you give it to your pet. Some dogs may have other medical conditions that need treatment and Benadryl could be counter-indicated or even dangerous for these pets.

Your vet will be able to tell you whether Benadryl can help alleviate your dog’s sneezing, itching, or hives. They can also give you advice on what other options are available to help your dog.

Getting the correct dosage of Benadryl is crucial because dogs metabolize medicine differently than humans. This means the dosing guidelines on the label won’t work for your pet, so you need to talk with your veterinarian about how much to give your dog.

Can I give my dog Benadryl if he keeps sneezing?

If your dog is sneezing frequently, it could be due to allergies. This can be caused by anything from pollen and dust to food ingredients, and it’s often accompanied by other symptoms like itchiness or red eyes.

Benadryl is one of the few over-the-counter human medications that veterinarians routinely have their clients administer to their dogs at home, and it’s generally considered safe when administered according to a vet’s recommendation. The drug is also helpful for treating mild allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, medications, and vaccinations.

It’s also often used to help relieve the sneezing and itchiness that comes with springtime allergy season. It acts as a receptor antagonist to block the histamines your dog’s body produces.

Taking any type of medication, including Benadryl, without consulting your vet is never recommended. It may cause severe side effects in some dogs, including tremors, constipation, increased heartbeat, dilated pupils, and rapid breathing.

How do indoor dogs get mites?

Mites are tiny parasites that live under the skin of dogs and other animals. These creatures can be hard to see, but their presence is easily detected by looking at a sample under a microscope.

Dogs with ear mites may itch and shake their heads, causing redness and swelling in the ears. They may also develop a brownish-colored ear wax that looks like black coffee grounds and sometimes has a foul odor.

Ear mites can be spread by close contact with infected dogs, and they can even travel to other animals in your home if they come into contact with your bedding or other furniture.

The most common type of ear mite is Otodectes cynotis, which feeds by piercing the thin skin in your dog’s ears. If left untreated, ear mites can cause severe itching and inflammation, and may lead to bacterial infections and swelling of the ears.

Sarcoptic mange is another type of mite infestation that affects dogs and other animals, including humans. This zoonotic disease causes itching and scaling of the skin, and in extreme cases, can cause hair loss.

Frequent Questions – 💬

References:

• “Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline” by Francis W. K. Smith, Jr., Larry P. Tilley – Wiley, 2011
• “Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline” by Larry P. Tilley, Francis W. K. Smith, Jr., et. al. – Wiley, 2021
• “Small Animal Internal Medicine – E-Book” by Richard W. Nelson, C. Guillermo Couto – Elsevier Health Sciences, 2019
• “Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine – eBook” by Stephen J. Ettinger, Edward C. Feldman – Elsevier Health Sciences, 2010
• “Clinical Veterinary Advisor – E-Book: Dogs and Cats” by Etienne Cote – Elsevier Health Sciences, 2010