Why Does My Dog Sneeze When They’re Playing?
Have you ever been playing with your pooch and then suddenly heard them let out a sneeze? While strange, sneezing while playing is a common doggy behavior. Today, we’re going to break down why our pups exhibit this adorable behavior.
Dog sneezes vs human sneezes.
Like human sneezes, canine sneezes are involuntary. It’s a way for our furry friends to expel pollen, dust, or other irritants from Fido’s nasal cavity. These sneezes can also be a response to contact with allergens. However, when our dogs are playing, it’s not always a true sneeze.
What is a play sneeze?
These play sneezes are not always true sneezes. They’re often a mix of a sneeze and a snort, known as “sneering.” These are different than normal sneezes. They are often gentler and are based closer to the front of your pup’s face. Unlike a regular sneeze, these outbursts are to express emotions and not to dispel irritants from the nasal cavity.
Why do dogs play sneeze?
Long story short, no hard evidence exists on why dogs sneeze while they play. However, animal behavioral experts have varied theories. Some believe that these snort sneezes are our pooches’ way of saying hello to us and other pups. These sneezes are often seen more often in certain types of play, such as play-fighting. When dogs fake fight, they frequently bare their teeth, which can cause a sneeze-like response. These sneezes might also mean your pup wants to stop playing. In all, these sneezes might mean a bunch of different things.
Why don’t we have a clear answer?
There hasn’t been much research on certain canine behaviors. The research that has been started is still in its exploratory stages. While there isn’t a clear answer to this behavior, we can look at other animals for research ideas. Dogs are not the only animals that sneeze for behavioral reasons. Horses and wild dogs also exhibit this behavior.
Overall, play sneezes in dogs are a bit of a mystery. While we know that these sneezes are most likely an emotional response, there is no true research on why pups exhibit this behavior.