Why Your Dog Makes a Honking Sound Like a Goose

Does your dog have a strange tendency to make a honking sound? Some people will say that it almost sounds like a goose. It’s a sound that can get dog owners worried because they may think the dog isn’t able to catch a breath or they suspect there’s a foreign object that’s stuck in the dog’s nose.

There could be a number of reasons why your dog is making the honking sound, some of which may warrant a visit to the vet. The geese-like sound is most likely a result of your dog coughing or reverse sneezing. Here is an explanation of the most common causes of the honking sound.

Reverse Sneezing

Also known as paroxysmal respiration, reverse sneezing is when a dog rapidly pulls air into his nose while sneezing. Generally-speaking, reverse sneezing isn’t considered to be a harmful condition. It may last anywhere between a few seconds to a minute. Your dog will likely stand still and extend his neck while doing a reverse sneezing. You may, however, want to check with the vet if he is making the goose sound for an extended period of time.

Kennel Cough

The goose-like honking sound may also be caused by an infectious disease like kennel cough. This is more likely among dogs that have just came from an animal shelter or even a doggy daycare center. In addition to the honking sound, dogs with kennel cough may also display other symptoms like runny nose and a loss of appetite. Mild kennel coughs will go away on its own but we would still strongly suggest calling the vet for additional advice.

Tracheal Collapse

In more serious cases, the goose sound from your dog may be caused by a condition called tracheal collapse. This is more common among small-sized dog breeds like Yorkshire terriers, pugs, and Shih tzus. Tracheal collapse is when the rings of cartilage in the dog’s windpipe cave in, which makes it difficult for the dogs to breathe. Severe collapses may require surgery to keep the dog’s airway open. Please call your vet for next steps.