- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
From soft snuffles to loud rumbles, snoring is pretty common among dogs.
Snoring is the sound produced by the vibration of respiratory structures, says Dr. Amy Attas, DVM, veterinarian and author of Pets and the City. It’s often caused by obstructed air movement during breathing. Some dogs are more prone to snoring, due to factors like brachycephaly, age, or weight.
Some snoring is normal, so you don’t need to worry if you occasionally overhear your dog rumbling through their dreams! However, you may want to get help for your dog’s snoring if it starts to happen more often. Causes of increased snoring range from allergies and obesity to sleeping position and air quality.
We asked veterinary experts about possible causes and effects of dog snoring. Read on to learn eight common causes of snoring in dogs, plus get a few tips on how to help your dog stop snoring!
Brachycephaly
“Brachycephalic” is the term used to describe dogs with short and wide skulls, Dr. Attas says. Examples of brachycephalic breeds include Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers.
A number of anatomical factors, like shorter nasal passages and elongated soft palates, that restrict airflow and make breathing more difficult for brachycephalic dogs, she explains—and snoring is one of the breed’s hallmarks.
- Elongated soft palate: With this condition, the tissue on the soft palate, which is the roof of the mouth, grows too long. Elongated soft palates due to a dog’s shortened nose can obstruct the airway and cause snoring, Dr. Attas says.
- Narrowed nasal passages: Narrowed nostrils, or stenotic nares, restrict airflow through the nose and make breathing more laborious, Dr. Attas says. This causes turbulence in the airways, resulting in snoring.
“Many of these dogs will snore while awake, as well as during sleep,” Dr. Attas says. Their nasal and oral anatomy makes it more likely the respiratory passages will vibrate, causing snoring.
Age
Older dogs are also more likely to snore.
This is because respiratory structures can become more flaccid with age, Dr. Attas explains.
Obesity
Plenty of people love an adorably “chonky” canine, but extra weight can lead to fat deposition around different parts of the body, Dr. Attas says.
Overweight or obese dogs may struggle to take a full breath if abdominal fat interferes with the diaphragm muscle, she explains. Fat deposition in the region near your dog’s respiratory tract may cause additional vibration and snoring, she adds.
Allergies
Does your dog live with allergies? This could explain why they snore when they snooze.
“Allergies can cause inflammation in a dog’s airways, leading to restricted airflow and snoring,” says Dr. Stacie Atria, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, CVTP, owner at Lotus Veterinary Alternatives.
Along with snoring, you may also notice that your dog tends to sneeze, cough, or have a runny nose.
Respiratory Infections
A dog with a respiratory infection will often have a harder time breathing properly when they sleep—just like you might.
Dr. Atria explains that infections result in congestion and swelling of the airways, which can lead to snoring.
Some common respiratory infections in dogs include canine parainfluenza, kennel cough, or canine adenovirus types 1 and 2, for example.
Sleeping Position
Does your dog prefer to sleep with their belly up? Curled up in a donut? On their side?
Just as your sleeping position can affect your breathing, so can your dog’s sleeping position, according to Dr. Attas.
“Dogs who sleep on their backs may be more prone to snoring because their tongue and soft palate can collapse to the back of their throat, partially obstructing the airway,” she explains.
Air Quality
You might not think much about the quality of the air you breathe, but it’s important for your overall health. The cleaner the air, the easier you’ll breathe.
Poor air quality can affect your dog’s breathing, just like it does yours.
High levels of dust or smoke in the air can irritate the respiratory tract and cause snoring, Dr. Atria says.
Temperature
The warmer the temperature, the more likely your pup is to snore. This happens because warmer temperature can relax a dog’s throat muscles, contributing to snoring, Dr. Atria says.
How Does Snoring Affect A Dog’s Health?
Snoring may seem harmless, except for the noise. But it can interrupt a dog’s sleep patterns and have short-term consequences like fatigue and behavioral issues, Dr. Atria says.
You can compare this to how you might feel tired and cranky after a night of poor sleep!
Long-term effects of snoring can include chronic respiratory problems and reduced oxygen levels during sleep, both of which can affect your dog’s overall health, according to Dr. Atria.
And of course, if your dog sleeps in your room or bed, their snoring can affect your sleep schedule and may lead to sleep deprivation for you, too. According to one 2023 study, dog owners reported more trouble sleeping compared to non-dog owners.
Tips To Prevent Snoring
If you want to help curb your dog’s snoring, it’s important to address any factors that play a role in snoring. Generally, if your dog snores, this means something is obstructing their breathing, Dr. Attas says.
These tips can help:
- Use a HEPA filter: Minimizing your dog’s exposure to allergens and irritants can help reduce nasal congestion and snoring, Dr. Attas explains. Setting up a HEPA filter in the room where your dog sleeps can improve the air quality, benefiting you both.
- Incorporate exercise and weight management: “Regular exercise and weight management are very helpful ways to decrease snoring,” Dr. Attas says.
- Ask your vet about surgery: For severe snoring that doesn’t improve, your vet may recommend surgery to improve your dog’s breathing. Surgical procedures can help reduce airway obstruction by widening stenotic nares, shortening an overlong soft palate, and removing enlarged lymphoid tissue, Dr. Attas says.
It’s always best to schedule an appointment with your vet if you notice your dog snoring more than usual. Your vet can help diagnose any potential health concerns early on, before they get worse.
