Why Does My Dog Snore: 10 Reasons for Your Dog Snoring

You switch off the lights and make yourself comfortable in bed, and suddenly, like a thunderstorm out of the blue, you hear a freight train-like noise coming from the corner of the room. Before you shake out your sleeping spouse of sleep for snoring, get a better look. It may well be your dog.

Like humans, canines sometimes snore. According to the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders enter, snoring was reported in 21 % of dogs. ^[1] While snoring can be normal in some dogs, it can also be an early sign something isn’t right.

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Why Dogs Snore?

Snoring is different from just having a stuffy nose. With snoring, the soft palate or other pharyngeal tissues are caused to vibrate as inspired air is drawn through narrowed upper airways. ^[2]

Dr. McKiernan

This unusual air movement causes resistance. This is what creates those grunting and harsh noises. Some canines are more prone to snoring than others. Here are the most common causes of snoring in dogs:

• Breed anatomy
• Sleeping position
• Allergies
• Rhinitis
• Certain medications
• Obesity
• Obstruction in the airways
• Dental problems
• Secondhand smoke
• Aspergillosis

Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

1. Breed Anatomy

Certain breeds with short noses and flattened faces are more pre-disposed to snoring at night and breathing issues. They are known as ‘brachycephalic.’

They typically have enlarged soft palates, overly narrowed nostrils, and everted laryngeal saccules, meaning that tissue in the airway is pulled into and obstructs the airway. ^[2]

Dr. McKiernan

The physiology of brachycephalic dogs makes it more difficult for them to pant enough to cool off. Some breeds include:

• Shar-Pei;
• Bulldogs;
• Pekinese;
• Boxers;
• Chihuahuas;
• Shih Tzus;
• Pugs;
• Boston Terriers;
• Chow Chows. ^[3]

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Although a pushed-in appearance is cute, it can cause brachycephalic airway syndrome. These dogs not just snore at night but may also faint during exercise or tire easily. Symptoms like these may be mild at first, but they can get worse over time. Brachycephalic dog parents “need to take reasonable precautions when exercising outdoors in hot weather,” says Link Newcomb, president of the Bulldog Club of America. ^[4] If you see your furry friend is short in breath and pants more than usually, he needs to cool off. You may still schedule a checkup with your veterinarian to make sure the condition does not require medical intervention.

2. Sleeping Position

If your pooch pal is one of those chilled out souls who like to sleep stretched out on their backs. Then he may also “pamper” you with frequent snoring sessions. An easy fix for this is changing your pup’s position. You can move your pet, laying him down on his side. You can also purchase a bed with a built-in small pillow to reduce the chance of him rolling over on his back.

3. Allergies

Dogs can acquire allergies to many of the things, including dust, pollen, perfume, or other physical allergens – all of which can lead to the inflammation and constriction of air passages. The allergy can cause the body to produce excess mucus, which may be the culprit of snoring. Also, your pup may exhibit such symptoms as sneezing, nasal discharge, or watery eyes. If your pet has a seasonal allergy to dust or pollen, keep him inside with an air conditioner. And when he comes out, wash his face and paws whenever he returns home.

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4. Rhinitis

Canines can catch “colds” just like humans, and this can lead to nasal congestion. Your dog’s mucus membranes get irritated and inflamed. Rhinitis can result in symptoms that include sneezing, difficulty in breathing, stuffy and runny nose, and snoring. Veterinarians treat this disease with antibiotics. Humidifying the air can also help in creating a better breathing environment.

5. Medications

If your dog takes muscle relaxants because of injury, he may begin snoring as the muscles loosen up and press on the air passages. Simple pain killers may also lead to snoring in dogs. Sometimes canines will begin puffing on tranquilizers for the same reason as when on muscle relaxants. In this case, snoring is usually of no concern.

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6. Obesity

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56% of dogs in the United States today are overweight or obese, meaning they weigh 15% or more above their ideal weight. ^[5] If your pet has gained extra pounds, the excess fat depositing in throat tissues can block air passages. Or the rings in his trachea may close during shut-eye. Also, the fat around your dog’s thoracic cage makes his respiratory system work harder each time he inhales air.

7. Obstruction in the Air Passages

Any time your canine friend sticks his nose in different places, something may end up getting stuck in his air passages. This concerning cause of snoring will most likely require veterinary intervention. Foreign objects can block normal breathing and cause turbulent airflow, triggering snoring or noisy breathing. These obstructions in the air passages can be anything from a part of a pine cone or part of his favorite toy, through polyps and abscesses, to the most serious: tumors of the palate, nose, or throat. The sooner these problems are discovered, the better for your dog’s health.

8. Dental Problems

A dental disease, sinus, tooth abscess, any growth in the mouth can be the root cause of snoring. If left untreated, the infection can spread your dog’s body and lead to much more severe health issues. Dental problems can be very painful. So if you think your pooch pal has any, schedule a visit with your dog’s veterinarian immediately.

9. Secondhand Smoke

According to the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy, about one-fifth of pet parents are cigarette smokers. ^[6] Living in a home with a smoker puts companion animals at great risk of many health problems. Exposure to secondhand smoke may lead to eye infections, allergies, and respiratory diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, snoring, and even lung cancer.^[7][8][9]

10. Fungal Disease

A fungal disease called aspergillosis can cause snoring in dogs. It begins when dogs inhale mold spores, usually obtained from cut grass, hay, straw, and dust. The fungus can penetrate the nose’s moist lining and trigger symptoms such as the runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, swelling, and snoring.^[10] Untreated, aspergillosis can be quite serious, but it usually clears up after an antifungal treatment course.

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FAQ

Article Sources:

1. “Dog Tired? It Could Be Your Pooch.” ScienceDaily, 15 Feb. 2002, sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/02/020215070932.htm.
2. Netherton, Sarah. “Why Does My Pet Snore? – Veterinary Medicine at Illinois.” University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 2 Feb. 2021, vetmed.illinois.edu/pet_column/pet-snore/.
3. “Caring for Brachycephalic Dogs.” MSPCA-Angell, 6 June 2019, mspca.org/angell_services/caring-for-brachycephalic-dogs/.
4. Gewirtz, Elaine. “Exercise for Brachycephalic Breeds: Workout Safety for Flat-Faced Dogs.” American Kennel Club, 20 Dec. 2019, akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/sports-snouts-and-extreme-weather-workout-safety-for-flat-faced-dogs/.
5. “Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.” Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 6 Feb. 2021, petobesityprevention.org/.
6. Roza, Marcello. “The Dog as a Passive Smoker: Effects of Exposure to Environmental Cigarette Smoke on Domestic Dogs – PubMed.” PubMed, 1 Nov. 2007, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17978991/.
7. “Be Smoke-Free and Help Your Pets Live Longer, Healthier Lives.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 16 Apr. 2019, fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/be-smoke-free-and-help-your-pets-live-longer-healthier-lives.
8. Secondhand Smoke and Pets | BreatheCollege of Nursing-White. uky.edu/breathe/tobacco-policy/quick-facts-topic/secondhand-smoke/secondhand-smoke-and-pets.
9. Stanley, Coren. “Are Dogs Who Live With Smokers At Risk of Getting Cancer?” American Kennel Club, 24 Oct. 2017, akc.org/expert-advice/health/dogs-who-live-with-smokers/.
10. Williams, Krista. “Aspergillosis in Dogs.” VCA Hospitals, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/aspergillosis-in-dogs/