Why do dogs snore so much

Is snoring a bad sign in dogs? You might be wondering this as you hear your pup snoring in their bed fast asleep. And while snoring might be normal to some dogs due to their anatomy, such as brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs, it can be a warning sign for others that something isn’t right.

So should we be worried about our pups and snoring? The short answer is it depends. Though it might be normal for some dog breeds, it can be a concern for others and a warning sign that they might need a visit to their veterinarian to get checked. On average, dogs dedicate 8 to 13.5 hours per 24-hour cycle to sleeping, while younger puppies go even as high as 18 to 20 hours of sleep per 24-hour cycle to sustain their physical and mental development. Akin to humans, dogs snore when air passes relaxed tissues in their throat, making it vibrate with each breath. However, while you might be used to your partner's snoring, what does it say about your dog? Does snoring come as natural for a dog, or does it translate into something more serious? And how can a change in your dog's diet alleviate its snore patterns? Let's take a closer look at the most typical factors that come into play when your canine companion snores like a freight train!

Your Dog’s Breed

Although beyond absolute generalizations, different breeds are predisposed to snoring, primarily due to anatomical reasons. For example, breeds such as English bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzu's are brachycephalic, which translates into a shorter breathing passage. For these breeds, a shorter snout is equivalent to proneness to snoring; however, as a dog owner, there is no need to overthink your dog's snoring, nor does it mean that other breeds are less quiet in their sleep. All that you need is time to become accustomed to your canine companion's sleep time sounds, after which they may be no different from a lullaby.

Your Dog’s Age

Snore patterns seem to worsen once we get older in both humans and dogs. Out of all dogs, the long-nosed breeds, such as the Labrador Retrievers or Irish Setters, associate old age with snoring the most because of a condition called laryngeal paralysis. The larynx nerves (among the longest in the body), are deteriorated by age, which causes the larynx to be floppy and block the airflow.

Your Dog’s Weight

Packing those extra pounds always comes with consequences, both for humans and dogs. While a serious health hazard in itself, obesity can, if not cause, exacerbate your dog's snoring. How does this happen? Because extra fat is deposited in your dog's air passage, snoring may become more ordinary and more intense.

Many other consequences of obesity should convince you that choosing a healthy diet coupled with a constant exercise routine is the right path for your dog; however, less snoring should not be discredited as an incentive. A healthy dog translates into a more peaceful, quiet time for you!

Your Dog’s Sleeping Position

Just like humans, dogs have a preference for a specific sleeping position. Some dogs are Side Sleepers; others prefer the Lion's Pose; others dream of becoming superheroes with the Superman position. However, many dogs prefer to sleep on their backs. In this case, the chances of snoring increase as the tongue rolls back into your dog's throat, obstructing the air passage.

We know that changing a dog's sleeping habits is not an easy task. Still, we have observed some practical tips on setting your dog up in a sleeping position that prevents snoring. Try to accustom your dog to sleep with its head on a pillow, or provide your dog with a round-shaped bed with raised sides to support a curled-up sleeping position.

Furthermore, the air quality itself might alter your dog's snore patterns. For example, dry air is an ordinary culprit, which dries out your dog's air passages and causes snoring. In this case, leaving a humidifier next to your dog's bed means a more comfortable sleep for your canine companion.

Infections and Irritants Leading towards Inflammation

Has your dog just started snoring after long years of peaceful sleep? In this case, another more serious issue could be causing your dog's snore patterns. In most instances, we can identify the cause of an inflammation of your dog's air passage. However, what lies at the roots of inflammation in the first place?

One of the leading causes of inflammation is infections. Bacteria that reach your dog's air passage can cause kennel cough or canine influenza, which, in turn, lead to runny noses and coughing. The nasal discharge obstructs the air's clear passage, causing snore patterns to appear. Other fungal infections (e.g., aspergillosis) can have the same effect on your dog.

Another culprit that lies behind inflammation is irritants, which, most of the time, come from dog owners themselves. Although we refrain from harmful habits such as smoking when non-smokers or children are around, many dog owners have no problem lighting up a cigarette when taking their canine companions out for a walk. However, it's essential to remember that secondhand smoking is a thing with dogs as well, and it damages your dog's respiratory system, leading to snoring and other medical conditions, such as bronchitis or asthma.

Finally, yet importantly, allergies can play an essential part in inflammation as well. Akin to humans, animals can develop allergies to dust, pollen, or ordinary home-cleaning products such as carpet cleaners or detergents. Make sure that you keep your canine companion away from these allergens as much as possible.

Choosing the Rescue Diet for Your Dog

Since inflammation sometimes lies at the bottom of snore patterns, is there a way to alleviate them without medication or trips to the veterinarian? Here at Volhard, we have just the right solution for your dog – The Rescue Diet! Due to its careful selection of ingredients, the Rescue Diet is the perfect choice for dogs who experience acute or chronic inflammation issues. This anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic, and gluten-free diet actively supports the proper development and function of the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, stomach, and digestive tract. With the Rescue Diet, your dog’s body may decrease unwanted inflammation, which, in turn, may alleviate snore patterns and provide the dog owner with more peaceful and quiet time!

Conclusion

Although not a negative symptom in itself, your dog's snoring issues may be able to be addressed with the Volhard Rescue diet; this way, both you and your canine companion may rest appropriately and spend more time together learning, playing, and exploring together. Ready to learn more about Volhard and its mission? Feel free to contact us or check out our blog!

Whether it’s due to your dog’s breed, sleeping position, the structure of their skull, or potential illness, a variety of conditions and scenarios can cause snoring. No matter how charming it might sound (especially recorded on your phone), consult a vet if you’re concerned your dog’s log-sawing snores are not entirely innocent.

1. Obstructed Nasal Passages

Snoring can occur due to something as simple as your dog sleeping in a strange position. If they’re on their back and their tongue gets in the way of the throat, the restricted air flow produces that oh-so charming freight train impression.

On the other hand, objects and growths can also obstruct the dog’s airways in their nasal passages. If your dog acquires a new snoring habit that doesn’t go away no matter what position they’re sleeping in, a vet check is a good idea.

2. Breed Anatomy

Brachycephalic—or flat-faced—breeds are prone to snoring due to breathing issues. That cute flat face requires lots of things to be compressed together more than in other dogs, and this can lead to lots of extra airway noise.

Their airways are shorter, their tongues are bigger (relative to the size of their mouths), their soft palates are longer (causing them to flap loosely down in the back of the throat), and their nostrils are narrower and tend to collapse in on themselves. All of these changes lead to body parts and tissues getting in the way of airflow, making it harder to move air in and out.

If you share your pillow with a bulldog, pug, boxer, or Frenchie, keep listening to your dog. Most of them will snore, but if you notice a persistent change in their snore or they seem to be struggling more than normal to breathe easily, contact your vet ASAP. 

For dogs whose breathing is more profoundly affected, there are some surgeries available to open up those airways a bit (first to widen the nostrils, and sometimes a second procedure to shorten the soft palate). These procedures, when necessary, can improve comfort and quality of life for these dogs in a big way; struggling to breathe has consequences over time. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet if they might be recommended for your flat-faced cutie!

3. Allergies

Same as with people, allergies to dust, pollen, and dander can make it hard to breathe. And, just like with people, allergy-related snoring may come and go with the seasons. Many dogs have medications to help relieve symptoms, or it could be as simple as changing the air filter in your house.

4. Canine Obesity

More tissue around the throat means extra pressure against the larynx or trachea, and a greater chance that airways will constrict. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if the trachea ends up collapsing. Obesity causes many other health complications as well, which is a good enough reason for any pooch to lose a few pounds.

5. Dental Issues

Dental issues are a problem for your dog for many reasons, and sometimes snoring can be a sign that a problem is afoot! If a rogue tooth becomes abscessed, for example, it can cause infection and inflammation in the nasal passages, which in turn will cause snoring.

Alternatively, a growth in the mouth could partially block the airways. These types of abnormalities can easily become more serious and require more intensive intervention. Stay on top of veterinary dental care with regular checkups and cleanings, and try to keep an eye on that mouth at home, too!

6. Fungal Disease: Aspergillosis

This is something that affects both humans and animals, and occurs as a result of inhaling mold spores in hay, grass, and compost piles. The spores enter and colonize in the body through the lining of the nasal cavity, causing irritation and pretty impressive nasal discharge.

Treating this condition can be an extensive process, but the outlook is good if you can fully eliminate the infection. Not treating it is far worse for your pup, as this condition can become quite debilitating. 

7. The Common Cold

Dogs can get sniffles, too. Inflammation and irritation may be the culprits behind runny noses, sneezing, wheezing, and snoring. The good news is, just like with people, the symptoms tend to resolve when the cold does. 

8. Second-Hand Smoke

Big no-no, humans! You should know better. If there was ever a reason to quit, do it for your dog. Studies have shown that second-hand smoke in dogs causes alterations in their airways and DNA damage to airway tissues1,2. 

9. Physical Obstruction

It’s not unheard of for debris to lodge itself in your dog’s throat or nasal passages and inhibit breathing (or cause major irritation and tissue swelling), whether it’s a fragment of a tennis ball or piece of mulch. If you suspect this is the case, it’s time for a vet visit.

This article has been reviewed by Margo Hennett, DVM.

Margo Hennet, DVM, cVMA, and veterinarian at BARK is a canine nutrition, health, & wellness connoisseur. She has a combined 10 years of experience in clinical medicine, research, and education—that’s 70 dog years of know-how—and graduated from Colorado State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She completed specialized training in internal medicine prior to working as a general practitioner in Colorado, has authored peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, holds certification in veterinary medical acupuncture, and is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and American Veterinary Medical Association.

Sources

1Pérez, N., Berrío, A., Jaramillo, J. E., Urrego, R., & Arias, M. P. (2014). Exposure to cigarette smoke causes DNA damage in oropharyngeal tissue in dogs. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 769, 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2014.04.013

2Roza, M. R., & Viegas, C. A. (2007). The dog as a passive smoker: Effects of exposure to environmental cigarette smoke on domestic dogs. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 9(11), 1171–1176. https://doi.org/10.1080/14622200701648391