Have you said: “My dog snores and sounds congested.”? If so, we have the information you need to help you figure out what to do about it.
Why Your Dog Snores and Sounds Congested
Dogs snore when air passes through the tissues in the dog’s nose, mouth, and throat vibrate. The snoring sound happens because a dog’s airway is narrow because of some reason. Narrowing of the airway can occur when there is inflammation, obstruction, congestion, etc.
The Common Causes of Snoring in Dogs
Now you know how the sound of snoring is made, but what causes the narrowing of the airway that produces the dog sound may be a mystery. Let’s identify the causes of snorings in dogs.
Allergies
Does your pup suffer from allergies (environmental or seasonal allergies)? Allergies can narrow the airways due to inflammation in the nasal passages.
In addition to the inflammation in the nasal passages, allergies can cause an overproduction of mucus. The mucus can collect in the nasal passages and throat, which is why you’ve been hearing nasal congestion.
CBD for dogs can help with dog allergies. Learn more here: CBD Oil for Dog Allergies
Upper Respiratory Infection
Another reason you may be saying, “My dog snores and sounds congested.” is an upper respiratory infection. Nasal congestion clogs your dog’s sinuses. With the mucus in the way narrowing the nasal passages, the sound of snoring and nasal congestion occurs.
Overweight
Obese or overweight dogs tend to carry a lot of weight around their mid-section, but excess fat tissue can also collect in your dog’s neck and throat. When there’s excess fat tissue in the neck and throat, it narrows the airway leading to snoring.
A dog’s congestion can also occur if the narrow airways get clogged with mucus, which is often seen in dogs with extra weight.
Back Sleeping
If you’ve ever noticed your dog back sleeping, you’ve probably laughed, but it’s another reason your dog snores. Unless your dog’s hanging out on the side, it’s likely sitting at the back of the mouth narrowing the airway.
Short Nose or Flat-Faced Dogs
Some dog breeds are notorious for snoring and congested breathing. Flat-faced dogs include, but are not limited to:
- Boxers
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
- English Bulldogs
- Shih-Tsus
With a short nose due to a flat face, there’s less of an airway, which then produces the snoring sound.
Dental Issues
Dental issues causing a bacterial infection can lead to inflammation and swelling of the airways, which can be a reason for your dog’s snoring or noisy breathing.
Obstructions
Any time there is an obstruction in the airway, it can cause snoring. When coupled with mucus, congestion sounds occur.
Older Dogs
Older dogs are more likely to snore because age can narrow airways. Senior dogs are also more susceptible to dental issues, respiratory issues, and allergies, which can lead to snoring, breathing problems, and dog congestion.
Viral Infections
Viral infections are like the common cold but much worse. It can lead to respiratory distress and other serious medical problems.
In the case of snoring, a virus can lead to inflammation in the airways and dog congestion. The problem can be worse for seniors dogs, which is why it’s important to consider having your vet give your dog the kennel cough vaccine and the flu vaccine.
You can read about the pros and cons of each one by reading these two articles:
Not sure if your dog is sick?
You can tell your dog may be sick with a viral infection by looking for the following signs:
- Runny Nose
- Stuffy Nose
- Congested Breathing
- Noisy Breathing
How to Decrease Snoring in Dogs
The best way to decrease snoring in dogs is to identify what is causing it and then solve that problem. For instance, if your dog suffers from allergies, try to figure out what is causing the allergic reactions. If you can’t, treating the symptoms is your next best option.
If your pup is suffering from an illness, contact your vet as soon as possible. Letting it go with the hope it will go away on its own can lead to worse problems such as difficulty breathing, respiratory distress, and more.
Also, check with your vet about the dental issues your dog is dealing with that are causing the snoring. Dental issues can lead to other medical problems like it can in humans and now vets can do a lot to decrease the risks of that.
My Dog Snores and Sounds Congested: The Real Deal
Your dog snores because the airways are too narrow to allow all of the air to get through them when breathing while sleeping. You likely hear your dog’s congestion because there is mucus in the airways. The congestion comes from being sick or suffering from allergies (environmental or seasonal allergies).
Snoring and congestion aren’t making your dog’s sleeping experience a good one. It’s not helping your sleep either. Deep sleep is important because there’s not enough coffee in the world to help with regular sleep deprivation (and well, your dog can’t drink coffee).
Get down to the bottom of your dog’s snores and congestion sounds so you and your pup can sleep better.
Remember: Happy Dogs ~ Happy Owners
In this case, happy sleeping dogs lead to happy sleeping owners.
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