The first time I heard my pup snore, I thought it was the cutest thing as he snuggled his face into the creases of his bed. But, the snoring got much louder as the night went on and so I wondered: is it normal for dogs to snore? And how do I get him to stop snoring? Let’s take a look at the 7 common reasons behind why our canine pals snore.
Brachycephalic breeds
Basically, it means dogs that are flat faced with short snouts such as pugs, bulldogs, boston terriers, boxers. They are predisposed to snoring because of their shortened nasal passages. Their snouts are so short that they look as if they are flat-faced. However, this unique feature comes with a set of unwanted problems such as difficulty in breathing and loud snoring. Due to their breathing difficulties, Brachycephalic dogs are typically more prone to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and struggle with intense exercises.
Interesting fact: There are 2 theories that explains why brachycephalic dogs are so popular and why their breed exists despite their poor health problems. One theory suggested that certain breeds such as the english bulldog were mixed and selectively bred to make them better fighters as it was thought that shorter snouts would give the advantage of a stronger jaw for fighting and hunting. Second theory held that ancient dog owners simply bred smaller short snout dogs because the shape of the head reminded them of babies. (Kinda creepy if you think about it)
Old age (laryngeal paralysis)
It is not unusual for dogs to snore when they age. This condition is also known as laryngeal paralysis. This happens when the nerves in the larynx start to deteriorate (due to aging) and the larynx muscles are unable to open and close when breathing. As a result, the airway opening is smaller and less air is able to enter the lungs.
As such, this causes dogs to breathe loudly or snore. It may be a concern when your dog is overly excited or is exerting a lot of energy as they might be at risk of collapsing or overheating. This condition is mostly seen in middle to older aged dogs, especially in larger breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Irish Setters.
Sleep Position
Do you find your pooch sleeping in the weirdest positions? One time I saw my dog sleeping on his back, belly exposed with his head hanging out of his bed. He looked dead but the snoring definitely told me otherwise. Dogs can sleep in odd positions due to their flexibility and usually, sleeping on the back will induce snoring noises because the tongue would naturally roll back and slightly block the nasal passageway. If your dog sleeps belly exposed, it might be that your pup is feeling a little warm and hot. So, they try to expose their belly and paws to let air pass through them to cool down. Also, if you did not know dogs sweat through their paw pads so hanging their paws in the air is a way for them to naturally cool down.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the common causes for snoring. Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from allergies. If you suffer from allergies, you would remember how difficult breathing is and how it would sometimes require you to open your mouth to breathe while you sleep. Dogs are generally more sensitive to air irritants such as dust mites, pollen and smoke. Some important things to note are that some breeds such as Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Miniature Schnauzer, Pugs, Retrievers and Terriers are more susceptible to dust mite allergies.
When the irritants are breathed in, it causes the airways to be inflamed and the body will produce mucus in response to the irritants. This causes runny nose and the nasal passages to narrow, restricting air flowing in resulting in the snoring noises. So dogs would sometimes sleep with their mouths open for better breathing.
Obesity
When dogs are overweight, fats not only accumulate at the stomach but deposits around the throat or neck which potentially narrows the air passageway. The excess weight also adds pressure to the dog’s chest and lungs making it more difficult for them to breathe. Breeds that are more prone to obesity are the beagle, pugs, labrador retriever and bulldog. That is why it is so important to make sure your pup is eating right and going for daily walks.
Read more: Why is Vitamin D important for dogs?
Dental Problems – Tooth Abscess
Another potential problem behind dogs snoring is tooth abscess. Tooth abscess happens when there is a bacterial infection around the root of the tooth causing swelling and pocket of pus to form around the tooth. It is a painful condition and it can also prevent air from flowing freely into the air pipes. If you suspect your dog has this issue, please send your pup to the vet for a dental checkup.
Sleep apnea
Dogs have more in common with us than we think. You may be surprised that dogs also suffer from sleep disorders. Similar to humans, one of the common dog sleep disorders is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleeping condition when your breathing stops and restarts repeatedly while you sleep. If your dog stops breathing while asleep, his body will jolt to ensure airflow is continued to get oxygen into his body. One way to detect if your pup is suffering from sleep apnea is to check if they wake up gasping for air or choking.
Why does my dog snore while awake?
The reasons are very similar to why dogs snore when asleep. They may snore because of allergies, airway obstruction, weight gain, old age etc. If you have a brachycephalic dog breed, it is quite common to hear snoring or snorting noises while they are awake because of their short snout, narrow nostrils and relatively narrowed airways.
However, for non-brachycephalic breeds, snoring while awake suggests there is some sort of blockage or congestion in the nose or the nasal cavity. If this is the case, check his nose and see if there is any object lodged in his nasal passageway or bring him to the vet for a closer examination.
Read more: 5 Easy Tips To Get Your Dog To Drink Water
5 Easy Ways To Stop Your Dog From Snoring
1. Use a pillow
By propping your dog’s head with a pillow, it can help open the airways to help your pup breathe easier and reduce snoring.
2. Switch up their sleeping position
Sometimes simply changing their sleeping position does the trick
3. Change their bedding
Wash their beddings to prevent contaminants such as dust mites, pollens, oils, saliva, dirt to cause a mild allergic reaction.
4. Diet and exercise
When a dog gets fatter, fats begin to collect at their neck and chest, adding pressure on the air passageways making it hard for your pup to breathe.
5.Use a humidifier
Sinuses tend to crack when the air is too dry. When this occurs, inflammation sets in and swelling happens, making it hard to breathe. This is more common during winter months where the heaters and radiators remove moisture from the air.
Is it bad if my dog snores?
If your pup is a brachycephalic breed, it is fine. And, if your pup (brachycephalic or non-brachycephalic) has always snored and seems to be fine going on with daily life, it is most likely okay. However, if your pup suddenly starts snoring out of the blue, it would be best to check their nose and mouth for any obstruction or consult your local veterinarian.