We all like sleeping in our beds with our dogs next to us. It is wonderful and amazing. But when a dog snores, it is an impossible task. Why do dogs snore, you may ask? Well, there are multiple reasons. Many dogs snore, and it can be a problem for some dog owners and also be a sign of an issue your pet has. Anyway, let’s see the explanations and details all pet owners need to know right now.
9 Reasons Why Your Dog Snores
As you can assume, there are multiple reasons why your dog snores. Below, we are going to reveal all of them. Keep in mind that some of these are harmless, while others are dangerous and will need proper treatment from a vet. Why do dogs snore? Let’s find out.
1. Due To Anatomy
You must know that certain dog breeds have a predisposition for snoring. Pugs, bulldogs, and boxers have shorter airways, and as such, moving air in and out is harder. All dogs with flat faces have this problem. In this case, you can’t do much. It is advised to take him to the vet and check for any issues, but it is more likely that your pet will still snore.
2. Aspergillosis
This issue affects dogs and humans together. It happens when your pet inhaled mold spores. These can be found in hay, grass, or anywhere else. Well, your pet will end up with irritated nasal tissue. This will cause snoring immediately. The problem here sounds worse than it is and there is a successful treatment for it.
3. Caused by Allergy
We, as humans, can be allergic to almost anything. The most common allergens are pollen, dust, and so many more. Well, dogs can be allergic as well. They can be allergic to the same things as we are. When affected by an allergen, they will have a hard time breathing, and one of the side effects is snoring. Medications can be used. You may want to check the air filter in your home as well.
4. Common Cold
Dogs can catch a cold as well. When this happens the tissue in their airways will become irritated and swollen. As a result, your pet will start snoring. You do know that we are sick, we snore or have issues breathing. The thing is the same with dogs and most other animals.
5. Obesity
When a dog has more pounds than needed that extra weight will pressure the airways in the neck. He will start snoring. This is dangerous and can cause a lot of severe problems. Yes, you need to help your pet lose weight. Every dog breed has an ideal weight and you should aim for that.
6. Obstruction
If your pet has something in his airways, snoring is one of the signs he will show. This can be a piece of grass, a piece of a tennis ball, or anything else. It would be a wise decision to take him to a vet and check his airways. If everything is fine, then snoring is caused by some other problem.
7. Smoke
If you smoke in front of your dog and he snores at night, this may be the explanation why. This is called second-hand smoke, and it is actually more dangerous than you may believe. It would be great if you could stop smoking. Dogs do not like smoke, and they will do everything they can to avoid it.
8. Dental Problems
If your pet has a problem with one or more teeth that block or obscure airways, he will start snoring. A far more severe thing here is that that tooth can easily become infected, which is far more severe than snoring itself. You need to take him to the vet immediately if you notice something like this.
9. Sleeping Position
When humans sleep on their backs, they are more likely to snore. The same thing applies to your dog. If he sleeps on his back or in some weird position, he may snore. Try moving your dog as he sleeps. If he stops after you move him, this is the main cause, and you can relax.
Your Dog May Have Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects millions of people all around the globe. It is a severe medical condition in which airways collapse as we sleep. You can stop breathing during sleep and start breathing again. There are 3 major types. Some are caused by the problem in the brain while others are caused by the issues in the airways themselves. The third type has both problems present. Sadly, dogs can suffer from sleep apnea as well. This is a more severe thing here and you will need to take him to a vet immediately.
Dogs can also suffer from other problems such as REM behaviour disorder, narcolepsy, insomnia, and so much more. These disorders can and will affect his blood pressure. It is best to take him to a vet and try to rule out all of these disorders. Luckily, they are not very common in dogs.
We must add that this does affect dogs with flat faces as well. They do snore more due to the shape of the head but they can suffer from all of these problems. This is something you should know right now if you are planning on adopting a dog of this breed.
Things Dog Owners Can Do
Well, there are a few things you can do. Why do dogs snore? is the main question for today. It was answered, and now we would like to reveal a few things you can do to help your pet stop snoring. The first thing to know and do is that you must take your dog to a vet. This is just a precaution. He will rule out any severe issues. After that, you can start using one of the actions below to help your dog stop snoring.
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Help him lose weight
Due to the fact that this is a very common problem, it deserves to be the first point here. You need to help your pet lose weight in a healthy and safe way. Add a lot of physical activity to his life and switch to a healthy and appropriate diet. You will start noticing the results within days. Most dogs will lose weight quickly when they have the ability to run and don’t eat too much. If obesity was the cause here, he will soon stop snoring.
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Change where he sleeps
Your dog may snore because there is something that irritates his airways at that spot. If you change where he sleeps, he may stop snoring. This is not the best tip here, but it works well in some cases. It is also free and quick to try, so you may want to use it alongside other tips here.
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Change how he sleeps
You can change how your pet sleeps. If he sleeps on his back, move him. Get a pillow or make some space where he can sleep in a normal position. If the sleeping position was the problem, he would immediately stop snoring, which is great. Yes, this does involve a lot of effort and trying, but it is free and can be very successful.
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Use medication
Yes, there are medications that will help your pet stop snoring. There are a lot of options out there, but one that is very popular at the moment is SnoreStop. It may sound impossible or like a problem, but this does work. Keep in mind that you should consult with your vet first. Never give medications to a dog before your vet approves them. This is mandatory, and it affects all the medications out there.
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Add a humidifier
When the air is dry, it will irritate your dog even more, so he will snore even more. This is more common during the winter when the air inside a house is extremely dry. The best thing you can do here is to use a humidifier. There are a lot of models on the armlet. Keep in mind that you should get one that is capable of doing its thing throughout the entire home. A bigger home means a more powerful humidifier. This can do an amazing job. Some dogs will stop snoring immediately, while others will decrease the noise while doing so. In that case, there is another cause for your dog’s snoring.
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Remove any irritants
The first thing you have to do here is vacuum your home every single day. During spring, when pollen is very common, your pet may snore due to it. Add or replace the air filter to the house and you will soon see progress. Keep in mind that your pet may be allergic to something else, so try to find the allergen causing him to snore and act accordingly. Cigarette smoke and dust are the most common.
When To Take The Dog To The Vet?
As you may know by now you should take a dog to a vet if he snores all the time when he sleeps. This is just a precaution and hopefully, your vet will rule out all the severe issues here. Then you can start using the tips we have revealed above and find the cause.
But if your dog stops breathing as he sleeps or has problems sleeping, you must take him to the vet immediately. One of the causes might be sleep apnea. As we have mentioned earlier, this does affect dogs, and it is a severe medical disorder.
Dogs with sleep apnea must not sleep in an elevated area. They can wake up and fall, which will be a problem. If a vet diagnoses sleep apnea, your pet will need an adjusted lifestyle, diet, and physical activity. It is something you will have to do immediately. It is not a curable condition, but your pet can live with it.
Many dog owners are worried because their dogs wake up at night due to snoring. This actually is not a huge problem.
Dogs will wake up because they snore too loud. There is no other problem that makes them wake up.
There are a few additional red flags you need to consider at this point. The first one is if your dog didn’t snore and now he does. This simply means that there is some change present and that he is snoring due to it. For instance, he may have a piece of a toy in his airways that makes him snore. He will probably cough and try to remove it. This is just one example, but there are many more. In a nutshell, this means that there is a problem that appeared recently and your dog deserves a solution.
Dropping food from the mouth and sneezing are additional things that your pet might be doing. These are all signs that there is another problem. It can be severe and dangerous so it is best to take him to a vet as soon as you can. Other signs to look for are when the dog is choking while eating, droopy side of the face, and has problems when swallowing. These all may suggest some health problem or disorder that needs treatment. Don’t forget that if your pet is too tired in the morning and has a hard time following you, there might be another cause.
In most cases, snoring is harmless, and there is no need to do anything. But, in rare cases, it may be a sign of something more severe, where proper treatment is needed right now.
The Final Word
Why do dogs snore? As you were able to see there are multiple reasons why. In most cases, there is no reason to worry about and to be scared. But, there is some risk present. The best thing to do is to read this content and take your pet to a vet immediately. He can find the cause and help your pet.
Also, you can read my other article, What Does It Mean When Dogs Howl With You?
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