What's going on when a dog sucks in air?

A dog sucking in air may be caused by various reasons such as foreign object stimulation, smell stimulation, intense exercise, asthma, cold, etc. If the dog only briefly exhibits this phenomenon and recovers quickly, there is no need for excessive worry. It is likely due to foreign object stimulation, smell stimulation, or intense exercise. However, if the dog continues to suck in air for a long time and presents other abnormal symptoms such as lethargy, coughing, rapid breathing, etc., it may be caused by diseases such as asthma or cold. It is recommended to take the dog to the pet hospital for inspection and treatment in a timely manner.

1. Foreign object stimulation

If a dog exhibits the phenomenon of sucking in air in a normal state but recovers quickly, it is likely that there is a foreign object continuously stimulating the dog's nose, such as willow catkins, plants, or nasal tumors. In this case, removing the foreign object will stop the dog from sucking in air. The owner should pay attention to the dog's condition and see if there are any other abnormalities. If not, there is no need for excessive worry. If there are, it is recommended to seek medical attention in a timely manner.

1. Smell stimulation

If there are highly stimulating gases in the home, such as perfume, cigarette smoke, or insecticides, the dog may experience temporary respiratory spasms upon exposure, resulting in the phenomenon of sucking in air. In this case, the owner should open the windows to ventilate and observe the dog.

1. Intense exercise

After excessive excitement or intense exercise, a dog may also exhibit the phenomenon of sucking in air. The owner should pay more attention to the dog's condition. If there are no other abnormal symptoms, there is no need to worry. The dog will recover after resting for a while. However, if the dog continuously sucks in air or experiences difficulty breathing, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

1. Asthma

If a dog exhibits long-term sucking in air accompanied by symptoms such as rapid breathing, coughing with phlegm, difficulty breathing, inability to lie down comfortably, and violent fluctuations of the chest and abdominal muscles, it may have asthma. In this case, the owner should take the dog to the pet hospital for a chest X-ray to check the condition of the lungs, then administer anti-inflammatory drugs intravenously, give oral cough and asthma medications, and perform nebulization therapy if the dog has phlegm.

1. Cold

If a dog exhibits sucking in air simultaneously with symptoms such as sneezing, running nose, coughing, and fever, it may have a cold. In this case, the dog will not only have normal sneezing but also reverse sneezing, which is the phenomenon of sucking in air. The owner should consult a pet doctor and give the dog specially formulated cold medicine for pets. If the symptoms do not improve after one to three days of medication, it is recommended to take the dog to the pet hospital for further inspection.