Dog stuffy nose: Causes and treatment

The short answer is yes. From mild irritants to more serious issues, dogs deal with nasal congestion just like their human parents. But, if your dog’s stuffy nose doesn’t go away in 24 hours, it could signal more serious health concerns and may require veterinary attention.

Below, we’re exploring what nasal congestion looks like in dogs, as well as possible causes, risks, and treatment options to keep your furry friend as healthy and as happy as possible.

Dog congestion is similar to the human counterpart: inflammation of your dog’s mucous membranes and nasal passages.

The blood vessels in your dog’s nasal cavity will swell up, reducing the airflow through your dog’s nose. This not only makes it harder for your pup to breathe, but it also interferes with the nasal membrane’s filtration system which helps keep bacteria and viruses out.

What does nasal congestion in dogs look and sound like?

Understanding the symptoms of nasal congestion can help your dog receive the best possible care and potential treatment options. Some of the main signs of congestion include:

• Nasal discharge, nose swelling
• Difficulty breathing or heavy breathing
• Pawing of the face
• Depression or lethargy
• Restlessness
• Loss of appetite
• Sneezing or reverse sneezing
• Snorting

While actual sounds of congestion and symptoms can vary from pet to pet, you’ll probably experience snuffling and rapid-fire sneezing (like in the video below) if your pet is experiencing rhinitis.

There isn’t just one cause for nasal congestion. Like humans, the cause for nasal congestion could be as simple as seasonal allergies. After all, your dog has over 100 million sensory receptors Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source that can get irritated just like ours.

Here are some possible reasons why your canine is sniffling:

Not every congested nose requires a vet visit. Most dogs should easily recover from a stuffy nose within a couple of days. However, if your pup isn’t on the road to recovery, this could be a sign of chronic nasal congestion. Chronic nasal congestion is a long-term stuffy nose and needs to be treated by your dog’s vet.

In mild cases where your dog is healthy and showing symptoms for only 24 hours, their congestion might be a mild upper respiratory infection and can sometimes be managed by at-home treatments. In more severe cases like canine distemper, kennel cough, or an infection, you’ll need to meet with your veterinarian to treat your pup.

Also, make sure to pay attention to the type of nasal discharge your dog is experiencing. If the discharge lasts more than a couple of days and is bloody, crusty, or yellowish-green, you’ll need to make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

At the vet, they’ll ask for details on your pet’s history including where your dog has visited such as kennels or dog parks, to build a better picture of potential causes. They may also perform a CT scan, rhinoscopy, blood cultures, microscopic cytology testing, or X-rays to determine the cause of your dog’s stuffy nose.

Your vet is always the best resource you have if you suspect that your pet is dealing with an underlying medical concern. However, for something like a stuffy nose with mild symptoms, you might want to try some at-home treatments before taking them in.

Here are some vet-approved at-home solutions for your pet’s congestion:

• Humidifier. Use a clean humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. For best results, keep your pup in the same room as the humidifier to optimize its effects.
• Nasal aspirator. Aspirators suck out any excess mucus in your dog’s nostrils. Gently insert just the tip into their nose to clean out the mucus.
• Steaming. Take a hot shower with your dog on the bathroom floor. The moisture of the shower could help drain the mucus. However, never put your dog directly in the shower when steaming.
• Massaging. Softly massage your dog’s nose and the surrounding area to encourage the excess mucus to drain.

Benadryl is a great over-the-counter antihistamine to treat a stuffy nose in your dog. This OTC medication works to block histamine receptors in your dog’s body, which in turn reduces the symptoms associated with a runny or stuffy nose.

Our vets recommend giving your dog 1 mg per kilogram of body weight and never more than 75 mg at once.

Remember, higher doses can make your pup lethargic. Your vet may choose to start at a lower dose at first to ensure that there are no concerning sedative effects; raising the dose and frequency as needed to control your pet’s symptoms.

👉 Always consult your vet before administering over-the-counter medications to your dog. 

Other, non-drug-related options you can try include:

Homeopathic drops. Offer your dog fast relief from their congestion with homeopathic drops. These drops are fast-acting and provide nasal relief from a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Consider this nose relief supplement from HomeoPet.*

* Our vet normally recommends this as a periodic or acute support option, as it may not be suitable or sustainable for long-term use.

Dog wipes. Antimicrobial wipes are an effective and easy-to-use solution to cleanse your dog’s skin and help remove infections from bacteria and fungi. Plus, wipes help soothe your dog’s skin to promote better skin health. These TrizCHLOR Wipes are made in the U.S.A. and can be used on dogs and cats alike.

Flush bottle. Soothe your dog’s infection with a flush bottle. Flush bottles are water-based formulas that cleanse the infected area and put a stop to bacterial infections. Try out this flush bottle from TrizCHLOR recommended by vets, but be sure to avoid using this product directly in your pet’s nose.