Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 10: Appendix › Common Dog Problems and Solutions ›

Dog Makes Snorting Sounds

SYMPTOM: Dog makes an alarming series of gagging/snorting sounds that last for 30 to 60 seconds.

EXPLANATION: This phenomenon is called reverse sneezing—a series of rapid, spasmodic inhalations caused by irritation of the pharynx. Severe cases can be treated with drugs, but in most instances it is no more dangerous than a sneezing fit.

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Chapter 10: Appendix

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OMD! Thank you. This is so helpful and I work here! Moxie has been doing this and though she quickly recovered every time we were quite fearful. Knowing that it's a common experience is a great relief

barked by Ted Rheingold / Moxie on Mar 20, 2008 AT 12:13 pm PDT
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Delilah does this too and it's scary at times. This really helped me to feel better about it. Thanks, Joy

barked by Joy McCarron on Apr 9, 2008 AT 5:47 pm PDT
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barked by Joy McCarron on Apr 9, 2008 AT 5:47 pm PDT
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My chihuahua Gizmo does this anytime he gets really excited or drinks water to fast. What I found to be helpful was giving him a tablespoon of milk to help coat his throat and massaging his throat gently for a few minutes, it always calms him down enough to were he'll stop snorting.

barked by Marissa Morrow on Apr 21, 2008 AT 10:44 am PDT
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Thank you for explaining this. We have had many dogs, but Arnie is the only dog we have had that does this

barked by Shannon Gerdel on Apr 21, 2008 AT 11:28 am PDT
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Maggi, my beagle mix also does the reverse sneezing. Someone from a Beagle web site suggested that I cover her nostles for a few seconds, forcing her to breath out of her mouth. That's works for us. She rarely does it anymore. I don't know if she taught herself to do it (?). She is pretty smart.

barked by Lori V on Nov 29, 2008 AT 7:04 am PST
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My little chihuahua, Kilo, does this mostly when he gets excited. If we ignore it, it goes on for a very long time. If we gently blow in his face, it seems as if he gets distracted (looks like he's noticed something very important) and stops almost immediately. I shared this with some of my friends and they say it works for their pups as well.

barked by Elizabeth Godwin on Aug 3, 2009 AT 9:13 pm PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides dog owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!