When our Bichon Frise was younger, she would occasionally make a strange snorting sound that had us worried. It wasn’t a sneeze, a cough, or even a wheeze—it was more like a sudden, rapid snorting through her nose, almost as if she was trying to catch her breath. At first, we had no idea what was going on, but after some research and a chat with the vet, we learned that she was experiencing something called reverse sneezing.
Reverse sneezing isn’t as scary as it sounds, but the first time it happens, it can be a little alarming. It’s actually a fairly common condition, especially in small breeds like Bichon Frise. Essentially, it’s a temporary spasm of the throat and soft palate, which can make it seem like the dog is struggling to breathe. Unlike a regular sneeze, where air is forcefully pushed out, a reverse sneeze involves the dog rapidly inhaling through the nose in a series of short snorts. It can look and sound quite dramatic, but thankfully, it’s usually harmless.
Our little Bichon would sometimes experience these episodes after getting overly excited or after drinking water too quickly. Sometimes, strong smells or allergens in the air could also trigger it. It seemed like her airway would momentarily “cramp up,” making it hard for her to take in air normally through her nose. The good news? We quickly learned a simple trick to help her breathe properly again.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to stop a reverse sneezing episode is to gently cover the dog’s nose for a moment. This forces them to swallow, which helps relax the throat and reset their breathing. We also found that softly rubbing her throat or encouraging her to open her mouth and take a deep breath worked well. Within seconds, she’d be back to normal, wagging her tail as if nothing had happened.
As she got older, the episodes became less frequent, and now they rarely happen at all. It was reassuring to learn that reverse sneezing isn’t usually a sign of a serious problem—it’s just something some dogs, especially small breeds, are prone to. However, if it ever seemed excessive or didn’t stop quickly, we knew it would be a good idea to check in with the vet, just to be safe.
If your dog ever experiences reverse sneezing, don’t panic! It may look a little dramatic, but in most cases, it’s just a harmless quirk. A little nose-covering trick or a soothing throat rub can usually do the job. And if your dog is anything like ours, she’ll bounce right back and carry on with her day—probably looking for her next treat or a comfy spot to nap!