Why Do Dogs Snore?

You might find the sound of a dog snoring to be comforting and reassuring. However, that comfort can be tested if your best friend snores so loudly that your sleep is disrupted. But why do dogs snore?

Dogs snore for many of the same reasons humans do. So if you and your dog are snoring in harmony, there’s really nothing unusual about it. Nonetheless, there are some things you should be aware of if your dog snores.

Where’s the Squeaky Toy’s Valve?

If your dog has never snored before but suddenly starts snoring loudly, it could indicate that the dog’s airways have become blocked. Perhaps something is lodged in the dog’s throat or nose—a piece of plastic from a favorite toy, a bone stuck in the throat, or a treat in the nose.

There can be many reasons for sudden snoring. The dog may also have fallen ill. Just like humans, dogs can catch colds and get respiratory infections.

Allergies and secondhand smoke can also lead to snoring. If your dog has been snoring for an extended period and appears unwell, you should have it examined.

Many puppies snore after a day full of experiences, as they collapse exhausted in their dog bed. Some outgrow their snoring, while others become louder with age. If the dog snores a lot, it may be congenital and due to its anatomy.

Short and Long Snouts

Dog breeds with flat, short snouts, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus, are known to snore more than their long-snouted counterparts. Because their airways are shorter, these dogs have to work harder to breathe, and they more often suffer from swollen mucous membranes.

Regardless of snout length, the dog’s weight can also cause snoring. Dogs are generally quite fond of food. Being overweight leads to several complications and results in snoring because the extra weight puts pressure on the dog’s airways.

Snoring can be a symptom of an underlying problem but doesn’t have to be. Maybe the dog is simply very tired, and if the tongue falls to the side while sleeping, it can block the breathing and cause snoring. A frequent and entirely unremarkable cause of snoring is actually the dog’s sleeping position.

If the dog sleeps on its back, the pressure on the trachea increases. So if your dog snores louder than you and you don’t find it the coziest sound in the world, kindly ask it to roll onto its side. It works for both dogs and their owners.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.