Understanding Snoring In Dogs | Medivet

Why Do Dogs Snore?

Canine snoring  happens when air passes through narrowed or partially obstructed airways during breathing. As air moves through these restricted passages, the soft tissues in your dog's nose, throat, or mouth vibrate, producing the characteristic snoring sound you hear.

Several factors can create this airway restriction:

Temporary Causes Occasional snoring can result from sleeping position. When dogs sleep on their backs, their tongue may fall back slightly into the throat, partially blocking the airway. Temporary fluid accumulation in the nasal cavity from allergies or mild respiratory irritation can also cause short-term snoring.

Weight and Body Condition Excess weight increases pressure on the airways and surrounding tissues. Dogs carrying extra weight often experience worsening snoring as fatty tissue accumulates around the throat and chest, making breathing during sleep more difficult.

Inflammation and Irritation Allergies, respiratory infections, or environmental irritants can inflame the tissues lining your dog's airways. This swelling narrows the passages and creates turbulent airflow that produces snoring sounds.

Health Conditions That Cause Snoring in Dogs

While anatomical factors play a significant role, several medical conditions can trigger or worsen snoring in dogs. Recognising these potential health issues helps you determine when veterinary assessment is necessary.

Airway Obstruction

Physical blockages within the respiratory tract restrict airflow and cause snoring. These obstructions may include:

• Masses or growths in the nasal passages or throat
• Polyps or tumours that narrow the airways
• Swollen lymph nodes pressing on the throat
• Accumulated mucus or discharge from infection

Elongated Soft Palate

The soft palate is the flexible tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth. When this tissue extends too far back, it can partially block the entrance to the windpipe, particularly during sleep when muscles relax.

Tracheal Issues

Problems with the trachea (windpipe) can produce snoring or snoring-like sounds:

• Tracheal collapse: The cartilage rings supporting the trachea weaken and collapse inward, restricting airflow
• Tracheal stenosis: Abnormal narrowing of the trachea reduces the space available for air movement

Both conditions often cause a distinctive honking cough alongside breathing difficulties.

Respiratory Infections

Infections affecting the upper respiratory tract can inflame and swell the tissues lining the airways. Kennel cough, canine influenza, and other respiratory infections may cause temporary snoring alongside other symptoms like coughing, nasal discharge, and lethargy.

Laryngeal Paralysis

This condition occurs when the nerves controlling the voice box (larynx) fail to function properly. The cartilage flaps that normally open during breathing don't move aside fully, partially obstructing airflow. Laryngeal paralysis causes noisy breathing, especially during exercise or excitement.

Foreign Objects and Airway Obstruction

Foreign bodies lodged in your dog's nasal passages or throat can cause sudden onset snoring or breathing difficulties. Dogs explore their environment with their mouths and noses, which occasionally results in objects becoming stuck in the airways.

Common Foreign Objects

Items that may become lodged include:

• Grass seeds or plant material (especially foxtails)
• Small pieces of toys or chewed items
• Food particles
• Sticks or wooden splinters
• Fabric threads

Signs of a Foreign Body

A foreign object typically causes additional symptoms beyond snoring:

• Sudden onset of snoring or noisy breathing
• Pawing at the face or nose
• Sneezing or reverse sneezing
• Nasal discharge (sometimes bloody)
• Gagging or coughing
• Distress or anxiety

Why Removal is Essential

Do not try to remove any objects yourself. Foreign objects in the airways require prompt veterinary attention. Beyond causing immediate breathing difficulties, they can lead to serious complications:

• Secondary infections from bacteria introduced with the object
• Tissue damage and inflammation
• Complete airway obstruction if the object shifts
• Abscess formation around the lodged material

Your vet can examine your dog thoroughly and may need to use sedation or anaesthesia to safely locate and remove the foreign body.

Sleeping Position and Environmental Factors

Simple adjustments to your dog's sleeping environment and position can sometimes reduce snoring intensity.

How Sleeping Position Affects Breathing

Dogs sleeping on their backs may experience increased snoring as gravity pulls the tongue backwards towards the throat. This position can also cause the soft palate to sag more significantly, partially blocking the airway.

Encouraging your dog to sleep on their side or in a more curled position may help keep their airways more open. Providing a supportive dog bed with raised edges can naturally guide them into positions that reduce snoring.

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce snoring in dogs. Excess weight increases pressure on the chest and throat, compressing airways and making breathing more laboured.

Work with your vet to:

• Assess your dog's current body condition
• Determine an appropriate target weight
• Create a tailored feeding plan
• Incorporate suitable exercise into their routine
• Monitor progress regularly

Environmental Irritants

Reducing exposure to respiratory irritants can help dogs with allergy-related snoring:

• Use air purifiers to remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles
• Wash your dog's bedding regularly in fragrance-free detergent
• Avoid smoking near your dog
• Minimise use of strong cleaning products or air fresheners
• Keep your dog's sleeping area clean and dust-free

When Should You Visit Your Vet About Dog Snoring?

Contact your vet if you are worried about your dog’s snoring. While occasional, quiet snoring during deep sleep often poses no concern, certain situations require professional veterinary assessment.

Immediate Veterinary Attention Needed

Contact your vet urgently if your dog shows:

• Snoring while awake or during normal breathing
• Sudden onset of snoring in a dog who never snored before
• Breathing difficulties or laboured breathing
• Blue-tinged gums or tongue
• Collapse or fainting
• Severe distress or panic related to breathing
• Progressively worsening or increasingly loud snoring
• Snoring accompanied by coughing
• Nasal discharge (clear, coloured, or bloody)
• Reduced appetite or energy levels
• Signs of pain when breathing
• Changes in your dog's bark or voice
• Weight gain coinciding with increased snoring

Senior Dogs and Snoring

Older dogs may develop snoring as they age due to:

• Reduced muscle tone in the throat
• Development of age-related conditions like laryngeal paralysis
• Weight gain with decreased activity
• Underlying health problems

Senior dog breathing changes warrant veterinary evaluation to identify any treatable conditions and keep your older companion comfortable.

Managing and Reducing Snoring in Dogs

Treatment approaches depend on the underlying cause of your dog's snoring. Your vet can conduct a thorough examination to identify specific issues and recommend appropriate interventions.

Diagnostic Assessment

Your vet may perform several diagnostic tests:

• Physical examination of the mouth, throat, and nasal passages
• Observation of breathing patterns both awake and at rest
• Chest x-rays to assess airways and lung tissue
• Endoscopy to visualise the inside of the airways
• Blood tests to check for conditions like hypothyroidism

Treatment Options

Surgical Procedures. When anatomical abnormalities cause significant breathing problems, surgery may offer substantial improvement. Procedures to widen nostrils, shorten elongated soft palates, or remove obstructing tissue can dramatically reduce snoring and improve overall respiratory function.

Weight Loss Programmes

For overweight dogs, a structured weight reduction plan often leads to noticeable improvement in snoring. Your vet can recommend appropriate calorie intake and exercise levels suited to your dog's individual needs.

Medication

Depending on the cause, your vet might prescribe:

• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce airway swelling
• Antibiotics for bacterial respiratory infections
• Allergy medications to manage inflammation from allergens

Environmental Modifications

Simple changes to your dog's environment can help:

• Providing a well-ventilated sleeping area
• Using a humidifier to keep air moist
• Selecting beds that encourage side-sleeping positions
• Keeping the sleeping area at a comfortable temperature

Ongoing Management

Many dogs with chronic snoring conditions require lifelong management. Regular veterinary check-ups help monitor their condition and adjust treatment as needed to maintain the best possible quality of life.

Is Your Dog's Snoring a Concern?

If your dog's snoring has changed, worsened, or is accompanied by other symptoms, a nose-to-tail health check at Medivet can help identify the cause. Our experienced veterinary teams use advanced diagnostic tools to assess your dog's respiratory health and recommend the most appropriate treatment.