Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: Scary but Usually Harmless

Reverse sneezing is one of the more alarming-sounding but generally harmless things a dog can do, and it catches new owners off guard almost every time they first witness it. During an episode, a dog stands still, extends their neck, and makes a rapid series of loud snorting or honking inhalations, sometimes for 10-30 seconds. It genuinely can look and sound like the dog is choking, having a seizure, or in serious respiratory distress, when in most cases they're not.

What's actually happening is a spasm of the soft palate and throat, often triggered by irritation from excitement, pulling on a leash, allergens, a sudden temperature change, or even just eating or drinking quickly. Small and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are more prone to it due to their throat and palate anatomy. The episode typically resolves on its own within under a minute, and the dog is usually completely normal immediately afterward, showing no lingering distress.

Gently massaging the throat, briefly covering the nostrils for a second to encourage a swallow, or simply staying calm and letting it pass are all reasonable ways to help an episode resolve slightly faster, though it will generally stop on its own regardless.

What to do: Occasional reverse sneezing episodes that resolve within a minute, with the dog acting completely normal before and after, don't typically need veterinary attention. If episodes become very frequent, last unusually long, or are accompanied by other symptoms like nasal discharge or lethargy, it's worth a vet visit to rule out an underlying irritant or, less commonly, a structural issue.

The trickier question is distinguishing this from actual choking, which does need immediate action — here's a clear breakdown of the difference.