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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>. However, when our dogs are playing, it’s not always a true sneeze.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\nWhat is a play sneeze?<\/h2>\n
Why do dogs play sneeze?<\/h2>\n
Why don’t we have a clear answer?<\/h2>\n