Snoring can cause a bit of an issue, especially when you are trying to get a good night’s sleep. However, is snoring a sign that your dog may have a health issue? This is a natural question to have and many dog owners may be asking themselves as a result: should I be concerned that my dog is snoring?
Most of the time, snoring is not necessarily a sign of a serious medical issue, especially if you have a dog that has been snoring their whole life. However, if your dog is suddenly snoring when they never have before or if they are snoring more than usual then this can sometimes be a sign that something is wrong.
In this article we will be explaining everything that dog owners need to know about their dog’s snoring. We will be describing the causes of snoring in dogs as well as when snoring may be a sign of a problem that requires veterinary attention. Here is why some dogs snore and when you should see a veterinarian about your dog’s snoring.
What Are Some of the Causes For Snoring in Dogs?
There are many possible causes for snoring in dogs. Oftentimes dogs are just snoring because of their sleeping position, especially if they are from a Brachycephalic dog breed. However, sometimes dogs also snore because they are sick or have some allergies. Here are all of the possible causes for snoring in dogs.
Your Dog’s Sleeping Position
Sometimes dogs snore simply because of the way that they are sleeping. Some sleeping positions will cause a dog to snore because breathing is technically more difficult when they are laying in that position. You can see this in people when they are sleeping sometimes as well. This is usually nothing that dog owners need to worry about, and it usually doesn’t require any veterinary attention.
Your Dog is From a Brachycephalic Dog Breed
Dogs from a Brachycephalic dog breed are technically more likely to snore and breathe noisily than dogs from other dog breeds. This is because these dogs often have abnormal palettes and smaller nostrils than average. Some Brachycephalic dog breeds include but are not limited to:
- Boxers
- Boston Terriers
- English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Shih Tzus
- Pekingese
- Bull Mastiffs
Although sometimes dogs from the Brachycephalic dog breeds can have breathing problems, snoring is pretty normal for them. This doesn’t usually require veterinary attention, and usually you can alter these dogs’ sleeping positions if they start to snore too loudly. However, it is always a good idea to get these dogs’ airways evaluated by a vet to ensure that there are no serious concerns present.
Your Dog May be Overweight
Being overweight can also cause dogs to snore. This is because excess fat can collect around the throat, and this can restrict a dog’s airway when they are sleeping. This causes snoring, especially when they are sleeping in certain positions.
Your Dog Could be Sick
Sometimes dogs that are sick with an upper respiratory disease can start to snore. This is partly a result of mucus blocking up the nose and inflammation of nasal tissue. This is a pretty natural response to being sick like this, and the snoring itself is not likely to pose a serious problem. However, you should still take your dog to the vet to get their diseases both treated and diagnosed. The snoring should go away once the upper respiratory infection has cleared up.
Your Dog Could Have Allergies
Allergies can also cause inflammation in the nose and throat, and this can also cause a dog to snore. Although the snoring itself is not a huge concern in most cases, it can help to get your dog’s allergies treated by a vet to prevent other complications associated with them. Not to mention, it will make your pet feel better to get their allergies treated as well. Usually allergies are very treatable through either medication or allergy shots. Usually a dog’s snoring that is caused by allergies will stop once the allergies have been treated as well.
It Can Sometimes be a Sign of a Breathing Problem
In some more rare cases, snoring can be a sign of a breathing problem. However, dogs snoring for this reason almost always show symptoms when they are awake as well. Here are some of the common signs of a serious breathing problems in dogs:
- Labored breathing
- Abnormal panting
- Rapid breathing
- Coughing
- Passing out due to lack of oxygen
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a serious breathing problem then you should take them to the veterinarian immediately. Here they will be able to identify the specific cause of your dog’s breathing difficulties and offer effective treatment for it.
When is Snoring a Sign of a Problem?
Snoring is usually a sign of a problem only if it appears seemingly out of the blue or if it is abnormally worse than usual. This is because these instances usually point to things like an infection or allergies. Although dogs should be seen by a vet for both allergies and infections, the snoring caused by these ailments is not usually too much cause for concern on its own. In very rare cases snoring can also be a sign of breathing difficulties as well, and this requires immediate veterinary attention.
When to See a Vet About Your Dog’s Snoring
Although snoring is not usually too concerning by itself, there may be some instances where dog owners will need to take their dog to the vet to treat the cause of their snoring. Here we have listed the instances where you should seek veterinary attention for your dog’s snoring below.
- They are showing signs of having a breathing problem
- They are showing symptoms of an illness
- They have allergies
- Your dog has suddenly started snoring when they never have before
- Your dog’s snoring has increased or intensified significantly with no known cause
Need to Talk with a Vet?
Do you want to talk with a veterinarian about your dog’s snoring in Monroeville, PA? Call 412-373-8580 to talk with the Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital team.