Why Does My Dog Snore? Is Snoring Bad For My Dog? [ANSWERED]

worse off having a dog who snores loudly. Dogs’ vocal cords are stronger than humans, so it is impossible for you not to hear them when a dog snores. Snoring is common among some dog breeds, but if your dog snores without being among the breeds, there is a problem.

Some of the major reasons your dog snores are its sleeping position, infections, allergies, obesity, blockage in its nasal passage, respiratory issues, dental issues, sleep apnea, rhinitis, fungal diseases, second-hand smoke, and the common cold. The dog’s anatomy can also be a reason.

No matter how charming you think it is when your dog snores, it does not mean it is having a great sleep. You may need to consult with a veterinary doctor to resolve the snoring issue.

Is It Normal For Dogs To Snore?

Many dog owners are worried when they notice their dog snoring when sleeping; they wonder if it is normal or should cause concern. The answer is, yes, it is completely normal for dogs to snore, but when your dog snores frequently and loudly, it can be an indication of an underlying health issue.

If you have a puppy that snores while it sleeps, that is a sign that it will experience severe health issues, and you need to take it to a veterinary doctor immediately for preventive treatment. Moreover, it can also be because it is part of the breed we mentioned earlier.

It is normal for adult dogs to snore, but this is not because they are getting older; it could be among the reasons we will look at later. If you have a dog that has never snored before and suddenly starts snoring, you need to take it to a veterinary doctor for analysis and treatment.

Why Do Dogs Snore?

There are various reasons why your dog snores, and you must be able to identify the cause; this is important in finding a solution to it. If you cannot identify the cause, you can take your dog to a vet for analysis and checkup. Below are some of the reasons your dog snores.

The Dog’s Sleeping Position

This is the most common reason your dog snores; if your dog is one of those dogs that love to lie on their backs, they will most likely snore. The position your dog sleeps in will determine how air flows into its throat. Dogs that prefer to lie on their backs have their throat partially blocked by their tongue, resulting in loud snoring.

This is why it is important to always monitor your puppy’s sleeping position, and you try to adjust it every time you see it lying on its back so it does not get used to that sleeping position. Another thing you can do is get a small pillow to prop your dog’s head when it sleeps. This makes it hard to roll over and sleep on its back.

There Is A Blockage In Its Nasal Passage

This is another likely reason your dog snores, especially if it does not have any underlying health issues. This is also a reason humans snore; when there is a restriction of airflow in the nasal passage and throat. This is normal and often occurs when your dog is used to sleeping on its back.

Also, a dog will snore if it has inhaled a foreign object lodged in its nasal passageway, thereby restricting airflow. This usually requires medical attention, especially if your dog that does not snore suddenly starts snoring. The object blocks the airway, so the airflow is turbulent, resulting in snoring and noisy breathing.

An example of foreign objects that your dog can inhale is a grass seed; in minor cases, it causes snoring and noisy breathing. However, in more severe cases, it can result in tumors of the throat, palate, and nose and discharges, including pus, mucus, or blood from the nostrils.

The Type Of Dog Breed

We mentioned earlier that some dog breeds are prone to snoring more naturally than other breeds. These dog breeds are referred to as Brachycephalic; they are flat-faced dogs, including Bulldogs, Boston Terrier, Boxers, Pekinese, and Pugs. These breeds have flattened faces and short noses.

The word Brachycephalic is formed from two words, “brachy” and “cephalic.” Brachy means shortened, and cephalic means head. Brachycephalic dogs have short skull bones, so their nose and face are pushed in appearance. These dogs have shorter nasal passages than other breeds, so they naturally develop breathing problems.

Brachycephalic dogs also have bigger tongues, longer soft palates, and narrow nostrils. They snore naturally, and when they sleep on their back, they snore very noisily because their large tongues completely block their nasal passage. If you notice your dog has difficulty breathing or there are frequent changes when it snores, take it to a vet immediately.

Learn More: How Much Do Dogs Sleep? Should You Stop Them?

Dental Issues

Another reason your dog could be snoring is that it has dental issues; if your dog has an abscessed tooth, there will be inflammation and infection in the nasal passageway, and this will cause the dog to snore. Also, if there is a growth in your dog’s mouth, it could block its airways.

If this is the reason your dog snores, it is an urgent issue that requires medical attention before it escalates and becomes serious. It is best to ensure to take your dog for regular checkups with the veterinary doctor for both preventive and corrective care. It would help if you also were watchful.

What Does It Mean When Your Dog Snores Really Loud?

If your dog snores really loud, there are various causes; one of the most prominent is the dog breed. If you own a dog under the category of dogs termed Brachycephalic, it will snore loudly, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. If the dog sleeps on its back, its snoring will be very loud; you should try to stop it from sleeping on its back.

Also, if your dog is allergic to either dust or second-hand smoke and is exposed to either, it will snore really loud because it is experiencing difficulties breathing. A dog with obesity will also snore loudly; the excess weight increases the pressure on its breathing.

Another reason could be that your dog has a cold; if you notice that it is congested, sneezing, and has watery eyes, it will snore when it sleeps. It could also be caused by underlying health issues, like fungal diseases.

How Can I Get My Dog To Stop Snoring?

Now, we will look at the best ways to get a dog to stop snoring; the solutions we will look at are for simple and minor causes. The more serious reasons will require medical attention and care. One of the best ways to get a dog to stop snoring is by using an air humidifier; this reduces dry air and loosens the dog’s airway.

Another way to get a dog to stop snoring is by changing its sleeping position. It would be best if you did not allow your dog to sleep on its back; you can stop this by getting your dog a round bed to sleep on. The dog has more room to sleep comfortably with a bed like this, expanding its air passage.

Final Thoughts

Dog snoring should not be a big deal, except it is caused by health issues; at this point, you need to take the dog to a veterinary doctor. If you have to tell a vet about how your dog snores, it is best to record the dog snoring instead of explaining it. There are various simple remedies to treating dog snores.

Also Read: Why Does My Dog Sleep So Much?