You tuck yourself into bed, set your alarm for an unruly hour in the morning, close your eyes and start to drift off but then suddenly you’re jolted from your slumber by what sounds like a freight train coming through your bedroom.
Before you give your partner a quick jab to the side of the ribs to shut them up you realize that the loud snoring is, in fact, coming from the corner of your room – is that your dog snoring?
Do all dogs snore? Is it normal for dogs to snore?
Just like people, dogs do sometimes snore.
Read on to find out what causes dogs to snore, along with some dog snoring remedies that might just help to silence your dog and allow you to get that much-needed sleep.
What Causes Dogs To Snore?
Some dog breeds are more susceptible to snoring than others. For example, an English Bulldog, Pug, or Shih Tzu are brachycephalic breeds.
In layman’s terms, this means they have a broad, short skull with a short snout (or a short breathing passage).
Unfortunately, it also means they are most likely a snoring dog!
But dog snoring isn’t just because you have a particular breed of dog. Almost any dog can snore, and it all comes down to breathing. How your dog is positioned when sleeping can turn your silent dog into a rumbling snore machine.
For example, the position of your dog when asleep and the shape of the dog’s neck when sleeping can all contribute to the snoring.
The good news? Many of these problems are easily correctable. Here are 10 possible causes for your dog snoring.
1. Sleeping Position
Just like people, dog snoring can be triggered by the way they’re sleeping.
Dogs that lay on their back when knocking out some ZZZ’s are far more likely to snore than dogs that sleep on their stomachs or curl up.
If you want to stop your dog snoring try changing their sleeping position, it’s simple but more often than not this simple trick will silence your snoring dog.
2. Obesity
Has your pooch had their hands in the cookie jar? According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), more than 54% of dogs are estimated to be overweight.
If your furry friend has packed some extra pounds, they can have problems in their throat, which can reduce the airway.
Worst-case scenario, the rings in the trachea can collapse or close when your dog is asleep, or your pooch might have cancers, benign tumors, or cysts that can grow and could play a role in obstructing your dog’s airways.
Make sure your dog is exercised regularly and isn’t fed table scraps or junk food, and you shouldn’t have any problems with your dog being overweight.
If you’re concerned about blockages, have your dog checked out by your local veterinarian.
3. Allergies
Just like us, dogs can have sensitivities to many of the same things we do, such as pollen, dust, perfume, and even other pets.
If your dog has allergies, their airways can become constricted with mucus which can lead to wheezing, heavy breathing, and a snoring dog.
4. Obstruction
Sometimes your pooch can have something lodged or stuck in their throat or nose. It could be something tiny such as a part of their favorite toy or even dirt from rolling around in the garden.
Whatever it might be, it can block normal breathing and make your dog snore.
5. Dental Problems
When was the last time your dog had their teeth cleaned? I ask because an abscessed tooth can be a cause for your dog to snore.
If an abscessed tooth goes untreated, it can lead to a growth or mass in the cavity or sinus that can restrict your dog’s breathing.
If the abscessed tooth is left untreated, your dog could be in for more severe health problems, and the infection could even spread through your pet’s body, which could lead to kidney failure down the road.
6. Anatomy
Maybe you can’t stop your dog snoring because certain breeds are just more prone to snoring than others.
Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and any other dogs that have short noses could have issues breathing, especially when asleep.
These brachycephalic breeds have to work harder to breathe than other dogs.
But if you’re at all concerned, it’s best to check with your local vet to make sure your pooch doesn’t have any underlying health issues that require intervention.
7. Secondhand Smoke
Tobacco smoke can be an irritant to dogs, just like people secondhand cigarette smoke can lead to asthma, bronchitis, and ultimately dog snoring.
Need another reason to stop smoking? Think of your pooch!
8. Medications
Drugs prescribed by your vet, such as painkillers, can act as muscle relaxants, which can turn your once silent sleeping dog into a rumbling freight train.
The good news is that this is typically only temporary while your dog is taking their prescribed medication and the dog snoring should subside once they stop the medication.
9. Rhinitis
Just like people who suffer from colds and flu, your furry friend can also catch colds, which can lead to a stuffy nose.
The resulting symptoms can include sneezing (yes, sneezing), nasal discharge, labored breathing, and dog snoring.
10. Fungal Disease
And last, your dog’s snoring could be due to a fungal disease called aspergillosis. This condition is often triggered by mold found on straw, grass cuttings, or even dust.
The fungus enters the nose and settles in the moist lining where it can cause swelling, sneezing, nasal discharge, and snoring in your dog.
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