If you’ve got yourself a snorer, and we're not talking about your partner, but your cute four-legged fido, you may be wondering if snoring occurs like it does us humans.

Here you’ll find all the information you need about why do dogs snore, is it normal for dogs to snore? And if you find their snoring irritating rather than adorable, you’ll also want to know how to stop dog snoring.

Do Dogs Snore?

My dog snores... is that normal? Yes, it’s very common for dogs to snore and there are many possibly causes. Snoring is often harmless, but it can also be a sign of a health problem.

Snoring usually happens when a dog is sleeping. If your dog snores when it’s awake, it’s likely a sign of breathing difficulties so should be checked out by your vet.

Why Does My Dog Snore?

Dogs snore because air is being passed through the soft tissues of their nose, throat and mouth causing them to vibrate. While snoring is normal, there are some causes that can make a dog suddenly start snoring or make their snoring louder than usual.

Snoring can be a sign of breathing difficulties, or a health issue. So if you notice changes to your dog’s breathing or changes to their snoring it could be wise to get them checked by your vet.

Common Causes of Dog Snoring Include:

• Allergies: allergens cause inflammation in the nasal passage, which limits airflow.
• Breed: brachycephalic dog breeds (dogs with short, squashed faces and noses) are prone to snoring, but loud snoring and heavy breathing can be a sign of brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome.
• Dental problems: a tooth abscess can cause swelling in nearby tissues. Other signs include decreased interest in food, pawing at mouth, excessive drooling, dropping food when chewing and resistance to having the face/mouth touched.
• Hypothyroidism: this is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone. Signs include flaky skin, dull coat, cold intolerance, lack of energy, weight gain, reduced appetite, hair shedding, and skin and ear infections.
• Obesity: as a dog gains weight, excess tissues form around their neck and throat which restricts airflow.
• Obstructions: anything from an object stuck in their throat to a growth formation preventing the free flow of air. If you suspect your dog has a foreign body stuck in its throat, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
• Sleep position: dogs are most likely to snore if they’re on their back as their tongue partially obstructs the airway. This is nothing to worry about!
• Upper respiratory infection / cold / illness: clogged sinuses and nasal swelling make it difficult for air to flow through your dog’s nose. Other signs include a runny nose and sneezing.

Dog Snoring and Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS)

Most dog breeds have an elongated soft palate. Brachycephalic breeds of dog on the other hand have the same amount of tissue in their nose and throat but they’re squashed into a smaller space.

The tissues form folds and wrinkles that obstruct airflow, causing noisy breathing and loud snoring. In some cases, it can narrow the airway so much that it causes major breathing difficulties, referred to as BAOS.

Surgery is often needed to open the airway. Excessive weight will further narrow the airways, so it’s important to keep your dog in good shape, especially if it’s a brachy breed.

Dog breeds that are prone to BAOS include:

• Boston terrier
• Boxer
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Pekingese
• Pomeranian
• Pug
• Shih-Tzu

How Do You Stop a Dog from Snoring?

That depends on the cause. If your dog is snoring because it’s on its back, the snoring will stop when they change position. If your dog snores loudly due to excessive weight, following a diet plan and regular exercise can help them get back into shape, which will help reducing snoring or stop the snoring altogether. If your dog has a cold or upper respiratory infection, the snoring should stop when they’ve fully recovered.

Allergy induced snoring can be reduced by wiping your pet with a moist cloth after they’ve been outside and regularly washing their bedding. Air filters can help to remove allergens from your home. Your vet may also recommend allergy medication to help reduce their symptoms.

If your dog suddenly starts snoring, this could be a sign that something has changed. Your vet will want to check your dog over to work out the cause. Dental problems can be treated by removing an abscessed tooth and treating the infection with antibiotics.

Medication can be prescribed for hypothyroidism, which should then stop the snoring. Surgery will be needed if there’s something blocking the airway, like a foreign object or growth.

If you have a brachycephalic dog breed, snoring is common and isn’t usually a problem. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will help reduce problems associated with short noses. If you’re concerned about your dog’s breathing, speak to your vet. Surgery may be needed to remove some tissues to improve airflow.

Snoring is common in dogs and is often harmless. A dog snoring loudly could be caused by an issue like congestion, inflammation or an obstruction. If your dog has recently started snoring and you’re not sure why, it’s best to get them checked over by your vet.

Some causes can be treated which may stop your dog snoring. But in some cases, you’ll just have to learn to live with it – maybe invest in a pair of ear plugs!

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis 

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