While your dog’s cute little snores might be endearing, if a pup is snoring too loud for too long, that could be a sign of an underlying health concern.
Also, it’s not exactly comfortable sleeping in the same space as a snoring dog.
In this guide, we’ll discuss if dog snoring is a bad thing and whether you should be concerned. Plus, you’ll learn how to stop dog snoring for a comfortable slumber for yourself and a healthy body for your pet.
Why Do Dogs Snore?
Dogs snore for the same reason as humans – and a few others. First off, your dog might snore because of an obstruction in the nasal passageway. As the passage is restricted, air can’t pass through it properly, leading to the snoring sound.
It’s perfectly normal in dogs, especially if they sleep on their back. When lying on their backs, dogs’ tongues tend to roll back into their throat, blocking the pathway.
Another reason for dog snoring is obesity. You might be feeding your dog dozens of dog treats as an act of endearment, but this could easily lead to obesity.
Owing to this, your pup may snore loudly at night as the excessive fat build-up in the throat restricts the passage of air.
Some dogs also suffer from sleep apnea, which is why they may snore at night. Like humans, dogs also suffer from this condition, although it’s less common in them. Patients with sleep apnea tend to breathe shallowly, and at times, their breathing may be halted for some time.
When they start breathing again after this pause, they inhale sharply, which sounds like a snore. If you see these symptoms, it’s likely that your dog has sleep apnea and needs to see a vet as soon as possible.
Here are some specific factors that might cause dog snoring.
Dental Issues
If your dog has troubled sinuses or tooth abscesses, they could make him snore. Also, toothaches are quite painful, and you should take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice symptoms.
Fungal Disease
If your dog plays outside a lot, aspergillosis might be the culprit behind their snoring. It’s a fungal disease acquired from straw, dusty objects, and grass.
When fungus goes inside your dog’s nose, it can block the inner lining.
Some common symptoms include nasal discharge, swelling, and sneezing. The signs are pretty similar to that of the flu or cold. In both cases, you don’t have to go to the vet for extensive treatment.
An antifungal treatment should help tackle the problem. However, if the symptoms persist, get medical attention for your dog.
Your Dog’s Weight
Obesity brings with it harmful consequences both for humans and animals. With extra fat around the neck, chest, and midriff, the air passageways and the rib cage gets compressed. Therefore, more pressure is exerted to breathe, which leads to snoring.
If the obesity of your cute little furry friend does not concern you enough, his difficulty breathing should make you look after his weight. After all, your pet is the lively star of your house, and he should be healthy all the time.
Aging
Sometimes there’s no health condition behind a dog snoring. But mere old age triggers it. Similar to humans, the snoring in animals worsens too as they age. Apparently, snoring in senior dogs is not much of a concern. By and large, it’s natural.
The larynx gets floppy in dogs with age. Consequently, the airway gets blocked, making it difficult to breathe. Hence, more intense breathing causes more intense snoring.
Passive smoking
If you often smoke around your dog, stop right away. Cigarette smoke is a major factor that messes with the overall dog health and puts them at risk of snoring.
The chemicals and toxins found in a cigarette’s tobacco irritate the breathing system of the dog. Moreover, they also make your dog prone to various allergies and respiratory infections. Therefore, you must quit smoking around them to minimize his snoring.
Medications
If your dog started snoring due to no apparent reason, see if you administered them any new medications recently. Many times, certain medicines make the dog’s throat more relaxed than usual. Resultantly, the dog begins snoring.
In addition, before giving your dog new medicine, ask the vet about its potential downsides. Nonetheless, if the medicine is inevitable to treat a health condition, you might have to adjust yourself to the dog snoring.
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When Should You Not Be Concerned About Dog Snoring?
Earlier, we said that dog snoring could point towards a health issue. However, often, snoring is a result of your dog’s breed or other non-concerning reasons.
Brachycephalic Dogs
Dogs with short and flat faces are called brachycephalic. Since they have shorter snouts than other dogs, they’re fated to snore while sleeping. Some breeds include Chow Chows and pugs.
If you have a brachycephalic dog who snores away the night, there’s not much to worry about.
However, the canines might have serious breathing conditions that could reduce their bodies’ oxygen supply in some cases. If that’s the case, your vet will inform you after a medical exam.
Sleeping On Their Back
If your dog sleeps on its back, snoring is quite likely. It’s just like humans sleeping on their backs. In this position, the air passage is restricted, leading to snoring.
You can easily fix this by changing your dog’s sleeping position and putting a pillow under their head to prevent them from rolling over onto their backs.
Dogs with Allergies/Cold
If your dog has caught a cold or has an allergic reaction, he might start snoring. The summer season is a common time for this to happen, as some dogs have seasonal allergies.
In an allergic reaction, the dog’s nasal apparatus produces more mucus that can clog the passageway, causing snoring. Plus, dust or pollen allergies can also have similar effects.
To prevent this, you should keep your dog inside or wash their face after they’ve played out in the open.
When Should You Go To a Vet?
As discussed, dog snoring is not always a concerning matter. However, it can be. So, how do you know if it’s time to head over to the vet’s clinic? Here are some signs.
Your Dog Just Started Snoring
If your dog had never snored before but suddenly started, it’s a sign that something is wrong. An object might be blocking its windpipe. Or, they may have picked up a fungal infection.
Also, it’s not always a foreign object that might be blocking your dog’s airway. In some cases, it may be an enlarged lymph node that requires immediate medical attention.
Smokers In the House
If you or someone in your house smokes, your pup could become a victim of passive smoking and start snoring. It may lead to asthma due to long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.
To keep your pup safe, make sure you smoke outside the house or give it up altogether. However, if the dog is showing bronchitis symptoms, you need to consult with your vet to rule out the possibility of permanent damage.
Once the smoking stops, the snoring will too.
How To Stop Dog Snoring?
The best way to stop dog snoring is to remove the cause. If there’s no serious reason for your dog snoring, it’s easier to get rid of the situation. For dog breathing problems, home remedies are widely available.
Here are some things you can do at home to make the dog snoring go away.
Change Dog’s Sleeping Position
The simplest solution is to fix your dog’s sleeping position. If your dog sleeps on its back, get them a pillow or change its position at night to prevent snoring. In addition, bring a round dog bed for him to sleep in. The round bed will make him sleep in a curled shape, keeping his airway open while sleeping.
Use Medications
Get antifungal or cold meds for dogs suffering from fungal infections or a cold. However, you should always consult a vet before administering a pain killer or any other medicine to your dog.
According to a vet’s advice, apart from medicines for infections, give him over-the-counter medications that help with snoring.
Quit Smoking Indoors
Since smoking also leads to loud snoring, you must avoid smoking near the dog at home. Also, keep your house in a smoke-free zone to prevent snoring due to tobacco smoke.
Protect the Dog From Allergens
If allergens might be the culprit, wash your dog’s face, paws, and bedding often. Moreover, try to keep your home dust-free by regularly cleaning or vacuuming.
Try Air Humidifier
If your dog sleeps with his mouth open, the air may dry his airway. Having an air humidifier in the home can help the dog with snoring.
Final Words
Our pets are a part of our family. When something is wrong with them, we can’t sleep peacefully.
Snoring puts a major concern on dog health. Even if it’s not harmful, its underlying causes should be dealt with aptly to prevent any serious issue. Hopefully, now you know enough not to let dog snoring disturb your daily sleep.
