Is Your Pet Sneezing Constantly? Here are 7 Natural Remedies to Consider!
If we’re being honest, seeing your dog or cat sneeze once can be rather cute. However, the whole sneezing thing simply becomes alarming when your pet already does it in a repeated manner.
And here’s what complicates matters even more…
A lot of pet parents and animal lovers tend to resort to conventional medicine when they observe that their pets have a sneezing fit. Sure they may have almost instantaneous effects, but they can also potentially make things even worse due to their chemical content.
This is the biggest reason why I put together this blog post on the natural remedies to consider when it comes to pet sneezing. If you’re still having a tricky time finding natural remedies to help you deal with this condition, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Make sure you follow along to find out the best natural options you can go for the next time this health issue pops up. Let’s kick off our discussion by determining the common factors that set off sneezing in pets…
What Causes Pets to Sneeze?
There are actually a number of causes why your pet is having a sneezing fit, which I’ll walk you through as we go along.
The first one is it’s just your pet’s body’s normal reaction to an itch or a tickle, especially when it’s near his nose or mouth. And it’s not uncommon that your dog or cat r would let out a sneeze or two if you gave him a tickle on the nose during your cuddling session.
The next possible reason why your pet is sneezing is when fine bits of foreign objects get stuck inside his nose or sinuses. The usual culprits include dust particles, pollen, and small pieces of grass, among others.
Another common cause of pet sneezing is contact with chemicals or items containing the same that may be harsh to your dog’s or cat’s nose. This can include household cleaners, bleach, paint, perfumes, cigarette and vape smoke, as well as detergents.
Allergy is another factor that can set off sneezing in pets. Whether it’s seasonal allergy that takes place during certain times of the year, contact with dust mites, or allergy triggered by consuming certain foodstuffs like shellfish, eggs, and nuts, these health issues can trigger sneezing bouts in pets.
One other reason why your pet is sneezing is dental health problems. You see, chipped or damaged teeth, diseased gums, abscesses, as well as tooth decay can affect the muscles and tissues in and around the nasal region, which could result in sneezing as a rather unusual immune response.
And finally, respiratory issues can also lead to sneezing in pets as one of their key symptoms.
Now we’ve got that covered, let’s touch on the things you should keep in mind if you notice that your pet is sneezing constantly…
What Should I Do If My Pet Keeps on Sneezing?
If you’re anything like most pet parents, chances are you’re going to be distressed if you observe that your cat or dog is going through repeated bouts of sneezing fits. However, the first thing that you should remember when this happens is to assess the situation and determine the possible reason why your pet is sneezing in the first place.
How about we apply the common causes of sneezing in pets that I’ve just highlighted earlier?
- So did you just give him a tickle on the nose?
- Was your pet playing in the yard where he could have been in contact with dandelions and similar fluffy plants?
- Was he just around household cleaners or similar chemicals?
- Does he have dental issues that need attention?
- Is he suffering from a respiratory health issue of any kind?
These are the things that you should check first to properly assess the situation. Sure repeated pet sneezing can be quite troublesome for us pet parents, but immediately panicking when this happens will just do more harm than good.
Next, let’s discuss if you should be worried if your pet is going through repeated sneezing fits…
Should I be Worried If My Pet is Sneezing?
The short answer is: it depends. The truth is sneezing is generally normal and it may just be your pet’s response to wayward bits of dust or pollen, or perhaps a ticklish sensation in his nose or nasal area.
However, it becomes a different story if the frequency and severity of your pet’s sneezing fits significantly increases. While a quick sneeze or two per day isn’t much of a problem, the situation turns different if you notice that your dog or cat seemingly has forceful sneezing bouts within very short periods.
And this is where knowing the right natural remedies for sneezing in pets comes in really handy to avoid making the situation worse.
Now here are the natural remedies for sneezing in pets that I was telling you about earlier…
Natural Remedies That Will Help You Deal with Sneezing in Pets
Aloe vera helps the lungs become more resilient against inflammation.
Frontiers in Nutrition reports that according to various laboratory studies, aloe vera contains rich amounts of a compound called barbaloin, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
Besides helping wounds, nicks, and cuts to heal faster, barbaloin is also seen to promote a stronger immune defense against the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the respiratory system that can set off chronic sneezing in pets.
To use aloe vera as support for pet sneezing, you can either extract the gel yourself or go for the store-bought variety. Thoroughly mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with fresh water to make a refreshing and sneeze-preventing drink for your precious pet.
Apple cider vinegar helps stave off inflammation and inhibit harmful microbes.
According to the open access journal, Scientific Reports, apple cider vinegar not just has the ability to keep harmful microbes at bay like E. coli and S. aureus, but also prevents inflammation that can trigger sneezing pets.
To use apple cider vinegar as support for pet sneezing, mix a fourth of a teaspoon of ACV with a bit of broth or water and then add the whole thing to your pet’s regular meals. Moreover, keep in mind that while apple cider vinegar is safe for pets, remember to only give yours a very minimal amount since too much can already lead to an upset tummy.
Black pepper disrupts the way respiratory bacteria gather food.
Sure this may sound surprising, but black pepper—yes, the black pepper you commonly see on TV to induce sneezing—actually has natural compounds that help get rid of respiratory bacteria by preventing them from gathering food, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
These compounds starve the respiratory bacteria and cause them to die out. To use black pepper as support for pet sneezing, add in a very small amount of this spice to your dog’s meals.
Remember to mix the whole thing thoroughly since black pepper can have a spicy kick when eaten straight. By the way, this application can only be used for dogs and not cats since black pepper, no matter how little, can cause upset stomachs in felines.
Virgin coconut oil helps boost airway defenses.
Another study published in the NCBI highlighted that virgin coconut oil contained active compounds like lauric acid, which helped strengthen the airways’ resilience from allergic lung inflammation.
Laboratory studies also show that these active compounds helped make the airways smoother and more supple, increasing their overall function. To use virgin coconut oil as support for pet sneezing, mix one-half teaspoon of VCO to your pet’s meals.
However, it is crucial to remember not to go over more than one teaspoon per day when using this application. Also go for food grade virgin coconut oil since it is pretty much tasteless and odorless compared to other varieties.
Fresh ginger helps restore weak or diseased respiratory tissues.
ScienceDirect points out that fresh ginger contains natural chemicals that have been observed to help stimulate mucosal cells in the respiratory system to secrete cytokines that counteract viral infection.
To use fresh ginger as support for pet sneezing, peel and grate about half a thumb-sized piece of this spice and add it directly to your pet’s meals. Make sure you integrate it thoroughly with your pet’s food since ginger can be rather spicy when consumed straight.
Another application that you can go for is to steep slices of fresh ginger in a bowl of hot water for at least fifteen minutes or when the liquid takes on an amber-like color. Wait for the mixture to completely cool down and you can give this “ginger tea” to your pet as a water substitute.
Oatmeal helps deal with exercise stress.
According to the NCBI, oatmeal is loaded with a water-soluble fiber called beta-glucan that is not just heart-friendly, but also very beneficial to the respiratory system. Beta-glucan has been observed in laboratory studies to help stave off exercise stress that can possibly set off upper respiratory tract infection in the long run if not dealt with properly.
To use oatmeal as support for pet sneezing, the most convenient way to pull this off is to soak about two teaspoons of plain, unflavored oatmeal in cold water and allow it to soak overnight. You can then add it to your pet’s meals as a very lung-friendly supplement.
Turmeric helps the respiratory system relax.
The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) points out that the rich curcumin content of turmeric is seen to have a relaxing effect on the respiratory system.
Apart from helping calm the tracheal muscle, curcumin also has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are very beneficial in keeping the lungs in tiptop shape.
To use turmeric as support for pet sneezing, peel and grate a small piece of this spice and add it directly to your pet’s meals. Remember to mix it thoroughly with your pet’s food since turmeric also has a spicy kick when eaten straight.
And while we’re on the subject of natural support for pet sneezing, I’d just like to share my favorite product when it comes to keeping this health issue at bay…
High-Quality Product to Consider Adding in your Pet Care Checklist
Zumalka’s DUST MITES is designed to help alleviate symptoms of allergy and similar respiratory issues like violent sneezing, spasmodic cough, itching spots, as well as sunken and teary eyes, among others.
Moreover, DUST MITES also promotes healthy skin and overall comfort by helping your pet say goodbye to frequent scratching and licking, which can be triggered by allergic reactions.
If you’re looking for a premium natural product to support your pet during dust mite allergy, which is normally indicated by constant and forceful sneezing, this one is definitely an option you should consider.
Get in Touch with a Pet Specialist Now
One of the reasons why most people are missing out on the benefits and wonders of natural products to keep their pets happy and healthy is the lack of useful and practical information available online.
Still feeling left out when it comes to making the most of the awesome things you can get from homeopathic products? There’s no need to worry just yet.
Reaching out to a holistic medicine professional to get in on the amazing things natural products can give you and your pet is as easy as dropping by our contact us page. You’re sure to get in on the right bits and pieces you have been searching for all this time.
About the author
Leave a comment