If you have ever known a Pug or Bulldog, you might already know the answer to this question. Do dogs snore? Some dogs definitely snore, snort, and make all sorts of other nasally noises, especially dogs of certain breeds.
So, if you’re wondering if a dog snores, think no more about it. They certainly can. However, sometimes it’s sudden or not normal, so we want to explain exactly when this could cause some concern.
Why Might Dogs Snore?
Dogs usually snore because of some form of airway obstruction, whether it be situational or related to overall structure. Snoring can be super adorable, but it can also be problematic. It is important to note that if your dog is just snoozing, a couple of grunts are to be expected.
But if your dog is excessively snoring or it seems like they’re stopping breathing while they sleep, this is a red flag. Here are some different reasons your dog might snore, so you might be able to better identify the cause:
The 4 Common Reasons Why Dogs Snore
1. Brachycephalic Breeds
For brachycephalic breeds, it is to be expected for them to have some degree of snorting or snoring behavior. These dogs have a more obstructed airway due to their shorter snouts, causing breathing difficulty and other issues related to breathing. Some examples of brachycephalic breeds include:
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Lhasa Apso
- Pug
- Mastiff
- Boxer
- Boston Terrier
- Cane Corso
- Japanese Chin
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzu
These dogs are much more likely to make a lot of nasally noises in comparison to other breeds, but they aren’t the only ones that can snore. Snoring is often related to other problems, so if you have a breed that doesn’t fall in this category, there could be another reason.
2. Obstructive Airway Issues
There are certain airway issues that can be problematic for dogs, especially in extreme temperatures or very humid environments. If your dog isn’t able to get a full breath in, besides causing snoring at night, it can significantly impact their overall well-being.
Airway issues can range from mild to severe, up to and including death. Some dogs might require breathing treatments or surgeries to help eliminate some of the airway blockage.
3. Allergens
If there are allergens in the atmosphere, it could be inflaming your dog’s airways, leading to issues like snoring. If allergies are the culprit, snoring may not be the only issue you’ve noticed, even if you haven’t put two and two together yet.
Other signs of allergens in the environment might include:
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Itching
- Yeast infections
- Ear infections
So, if you notice the snoring is happening in combination with some other signs, it might be time to get your pup into the vet for examination. Your vet can test for different types of allergies, though this can be costly and time-consuming to figure out.
If it’s interfering with your dog’s daily living, we highly suggest getting them to your vet so you can get to the bottom of it.
4. Sleep Position
Sometimes, we all can sleep in pretty funky positions and our pets are no exception. If your dog is sleeping in such a way that they are cutting off their airway, it can cause positional snoring. This usually isn’t a cause for concern and definitely doesn’t happen every single time they’re sleeping.
But it can happen from something as simple as their head being propped up on the arm of the chair while their body rests on the primary part of the cushion.
When Should You Call a Vet?
Snoring is not usually a cause for concern unless you know that it is preventing your dog from breathing correctly or exercising appropriately. If your dog has never snored before, but has recently picked up the habit, it’s something you’re going to want to mention to your vet.
They can let you know what is and isn’t normal as well as help you come up with a suitable solution.
Conclusion
So now you know that snoring can be completely normal, and even very cute. If this is something that your dog does frequently and it doesn’t seem to pose any kind of problem to their daily life, you can just enjoy it, or get annoyed and put them out of your room.
However, if you think that it is somehow impacting your dog’s daily life, it is important to get them into your vet so they can get a little bit of relief and resolution.
Featured Image Credit: Kuznetsov Alexey, Shutterstock
