Why Dogs Sneeze When They Play

Dogs have a large amount of energy and sometimes it can cause a sneeze or two. There are a few theories as to why dogs sneeze while playing, but the answer could be just as simple as their nose.

Dog Sneezes

Dog sneezes are not very different from people. The main reason for sneezing is there is an irritation inside the nose such as pollen from allergies. The sneeze is induced to get rid of the irritation as quickly as possible. Just like people, dogs eyes close when they sneeze so they don’t see how funny they look.

Sensitive Noses

Dogs have a very strong sense of smell. Scientists estimate that dogs sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a humans. This means their noses can be sensitive to irritants and protected at all times.

When dogs play or are having fun, they sometimes curl their lips. Doing this leads to them wrinkling their nose and that can cause a tickle that the body interprets as a signal to sneeze. When a dog sneezes it usually means they are healthy and the body is doing its job.

Communication

Dogs sometimes sneeze to communicate to other dogs. It is a way to confirm they are playing with each other. Dogs also sometimes sneeze as a calming signal to other dogs. There is some research that shows that dogs can fake sneezes to communicate play or seek attention.

However not all sneezes are for fun and games, sometimes they do signal a cold or allergies. Playful sneezes are more of a snort from the nose, not a larger sneeze from the lungs. A sneeze from the lungs may need medical attention from the vet.

Make sure to always keep an eye and an ear out for your dogs sneeze to make sure they are not actually sick. However, for the most part occasional sneezing while playing is normal and a sign of fun.