If you’ve ever been woken up in the middle of the night by your snoring pup, you may be wondering “Why do dogs snore? Is it normal for dogs to snore, or should I be worried?” Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby gives the scoop on why dogs snore, and what it may mean for our dear dozing dogs.
As you lie in bed wide awake, stuck between your snoring partner and your snoring dog, you may have more time than you’d like to contemplate snoring in the various species. At the very least, you can definitively say that it’s not just people who snore—dogs can snore, too.
Why do dogs snore?
Snoring in dogs, like in people, is most commonly caused by soft tissues in the throat partially blocking the airway. As air moves over the soft tissue, it vibrates, creating the snoring sound. However, sometimes other airway conditions can cause dogs to snore, too.
While it can be normal for most dogs to have occasional moments of snoring in certain sleeping positions or during exciting dreams, consistently snoring during sleep can be a sign of a health problem.
What does it mean when my dog snores like crazy? 7 explanations
Canine snoring can mean a variety of things. As established, the direct cause of a dog’s snoring is partial upper airway obstruction. However, there are numerous underlying causes of that blockage.
1. Snoring can be “normal” in some sleeping positions
Certain sleeping positions can cause dogs to snore. For example, lying on their back may pull dogs’ tongues further back toward their larynx. Or they might sleep on their side with their neck draped over a pillow or the arm of a couch, which can alter the airflow. Really, anything that puts pressure on the neck or gets in the way of air moving in and out of the windpipe can contribute to snoring.
The good news is that positional snoring is temporary and should resolve as soon as your dog’s sleeping position changes.
2. The airway anatomy of brachycephalic dogs can cause them to snore
When I picture a snoring dog, I think of French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, or other brachycephalic breeds. These are our “smoosh-faced” dogs, and they are especially prone to snoring.
Due to their altered anatomy, brachycephalic dogs often have signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, also known as BOAS. Not only does it cause breathing difficulties and snoring while asleep or awake, but it can also contribute to other dangerous health issues, such as heat stroke in dogs.
Dogs with BOAS may have some or all of the following anatomical abnormalities:
- Elongated soft palate—Brachycephalic dogs often have soft palates that are longer and/or thicker than they should be. This elongated soft palate can extend further down toward the trachea and partially obstruct breathing.
- Stenotic nares—The nares (nostrils) of dogs with BOAS are narrowed, making it harder for air to move in and out of the nasal passages.
- Hypoplastic trachea—In brachycephalic dogs, the trachea (windpipe) may be narrower than usual, which can make breathing more difficult, almost like trying to breathe through a narrow straw.
- Everted laryngeal saccules—Within the larynx (back of the throat), there are two little mucous membrane pouches near the vocal cords called the laryngeal saccules. In dogs with BOAS, these pouches can get pulled sort of “inside out” and extend into the opening of the larynx rather than pouching out from it. This further contributes to the airway obstruction.
It’s probably no surprise then that BOAS can cause a range of respiratory symptoms which vary in severity depending on each dog’s particular anatomy.
3. Obese dogs are more prone to snoring
Obese dogs have excessive fat deposits over their entire bodies, including the neck area. The increased fatty tissue around the trachea narrows the airway and often leads to snoring.
Additionally, obesity can contribute to many other health issues, so it’s important to keep your dog at a healthy weight. You can find your dog’s body condition score (BCS) to determine whether he or she is at an appropriate weight. If not, it is a good idea to work with your veterinarian to help your dog lose weight.
4. Snoring in dogs can be a sign of illness
Any illness that impacts breathing can cause snoring in dogs. Upper respiratory infections (colds in dogs), such as kennel cough, influenza, etc., are the main culprits. Less commonly, however, some dogs will snore due to fungal infections or even dog tooth abscesses.
5. Allergies can lead to snoring
Seasonal allergies in dogs and other types of allergies can cause inflammation of the tissues in the respiratory tract. The inflammation and swelling narrow the airway, making it more difficult to breathe. As a result, a dog with allergies may snore or experience reverse sneezing in dogs during a flare-up.
Keep in mind, however, that not all dogs with allergies will snore. Many will have itchy, inflamed skin and ears or GI issues instead.
6. Masses in the nose or throat may make a dog snore
Although uncommon, it is possible for a dog to develop a tumor on or near the larynx or to have a nasal tumor in dogs. In those instances, the mass obstructs airflow and can lead to snoring or just generally sounding congested.
7. Snoring may be a symptom of a foreign body in the upper airway.
Dogs have very sensitive noses. And they often use their sense of smell as a primary means of interacting with their environment. Unfortunately, this sometimes results in them inhaling a foreign object that then gets stuck in the sensitive mucous membranes of their respiratory tract. Plant material like foxtails in dogs can be especially dangerous and may even require surgical removal.
Is snoring in dogs a problem?
Because there are so many different causes for snoring in dogs, there isn’t a clear-cut answer regarding whether it can be a problem. Snoring that occurs only in certain sleep positions is not very concerning, whereas snoring due to illness or anatomical abnormalities may be more worrisome.
The biggest red flag for me is when a dog starts snoring after previously being a quiet sleeper. A sudden change like this may indicate problems in the upper airway, such as growths, foreign bodies, or illnesses. If your dog starts to snore out of the blue and it is happening consistently, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your vet.
What can I do about my dog’s snoring?
Whether or not you can do anything about your dog’s snoring depends a lot on the underlying cause. We don’t have a way to stop canine snoring directly. But sometimes addressing the primary cause will reduce or eliminate snoring.
Medications to manage medical problems
Your veterinarian may recommend allergy medications for dogs who snore due to allergies or other medications for dogs with different respiratory conditions. Decreasing inflammation and mucous in the upper airways will definitely help your dog rest more quietly.
Removal of masses or foreign bodies
Unfortunately, if a mass or foreign body is causing your dog’s snoring, medicine alone may not be enough to fix it. Some of these cases require surgery to remove the offending object or tissue. That way, air can travel smoothly through the respiratory tract again.
Weight loss
Managing obesity not only improves snoring, but it is also very important to your dog’s overall health. Obesity can contribute to diabetes in dogs and joint problems. Plus, a study showed that dogs who are a healthy weight live two years longer on average than those who are overweight!
Surgical solutions for brachycephalic dogs with BOAS
Snoring brachycephalic dogs are a little trickier to manage. Often, these dogs even sound like they’re snoring when they’re happy, excited, or just awake! Because anatomical issues are causing their breathing difficulties, we don’t have medication that can help. However, there are some surgical options for dogs with BOAS.
Removing small sections of tissue on the sides of the nose can open up stenotic nares. Plus, the vet can resect a portion of the soft palate if its length interferes with breathing, and/or surgically remove everted laryngeal saccules. Unfortunately, there is no surgical solution for a hypoplastic trachea.
Due to the technical nature of some of these procedures and the increased anesthetic risk posed by BOAS, sometimes your regular veterinarian will refer you to a veterinary specialist (surgeon). Other times, your vet might be comfortable performing the procedure.
Sound sleep may start by talking to your vet
If your dear dog is keeping you up at night, sawing logs even after changing positions, talk to your veterinarian about what the underlying cause may be, and whether there are treatment options to help you both get better rest. It is possible that surgery, medications, or weight loss may not only reduce your dog’s snoring but also improve his or her overall health! That’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Does your dog snore?
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