Is There More to the Snore?
Though we often find it funny to hear when we are wide awake and our dogs are sleeping, its not so fun to listen to in the middle of the night when we are trying to catch up on our own beauty rest. Besides being an annoyance, snoring can also be a sign of some health problems for your dog. There are some ways prevent snoring for some dogs, so maybe you can get some sleep too.
Dogs, much like people, typically snore for specific reasons. Snoring is often caused by a blockage of the dog’s airway. By observing your dog’s sleeping position, you might be able to tell whether his airway is obstructed causing annoying nights filled with sounds of snoring. Dogs, much like people, like to sleep on their backs. This may mean, for your dog, snoring is inevitable as his tongue rolls back into his throat, blocking the air passage. However, there may be some other reasons your dog is snoring and some ways to prevent it. If your dog is snoring simply because he is in a sleeping position that obstructs his airway, such as lying on his back, you may be able to roll him into a different position to stop the snoring. However, its not always easy to train your dog to sleep in a position that will prevent the snoring from occurring in the first place. But there are some tricks to set him up in a sleeping position that may prevent snoring. Give your dog an extra pillow and encourage him to sleep with his head up on a pillow raised above his chest. If your dog uses a dog bed, give him a bed that is round in shape with raised sides to support a curled-up position which will help to expand his airways. A more comfortable sleep for your dog may also decrease and prevent snoring. Try to keep your dog’s sleeping area cool and comfortable. If you are in a dry area or are using your heater, causing the air to dry out, your dog may sleep more comfortably with a humidifier. Dry air can dry out his air passages causing snoring as well.
Dogs deal with allergies just as people do. Theres always a chance there are allergens in your dog’s sleeping areas. When your dog goes outside to play or to eliminate, she may bring allergens into your house as well as into her bedding. Be sure to keep her sleeping area clean and bedding washed, dusted, or vacuumed on a regular basis to keep those allergen levels low in her spaces. You may want to start a cleaning process with the onset of each new allergy season. For instance, before spring starts, do a thorough spring cleaning before the pollen levels become high and maintain a higher level of cleaning for your dog’s bedding and sleeping areas to prevent snoring as a result of allergens while your dog sleeps. Other allergens in your home such a cigarette smoke could be bothering your dog as well.
If your dog’s snoring is relatively new, there is always a chance he has inhaled a foreign object causing issues with his breathing passages. Snoring could also be an indicator of a blockage in air passages, such as tumors. So, an older dog who does not have a history of incessant snoring might need to be checked out by your veterinarian, not only to prevent snoring in the future, but also to rule out any serious medical issues. Having your dog, at any age, thoroughly checked for underlying medical issues could certainly prevent snoring in the future.
Giving your dog comfortable bedding and areas to sleep, whether he is napping throughout the day or sleeping at night, can help prevent snoring for your dog. This can give him a better nights rest, but also help with your sleep as well. Imagine giving up the sleepless nights you have had listening to your dog snore by making simple preventive measures such as changing their bedding, lifting their head with an extra pillow, or giving them a bed which causes them to sleep in a different position. Ridding your home of allergens such as pollen and cigarette smoke can be healthy for your entire family, too. Second-hand smoke not only affects people, but it also affects our pets as well. Quitting smoking and cleaning your home from the smell of smoke that is in your curtains, fabric, and furniture can be healthy for everyone who comes into your home.
The 14 Steps to Stop Your Dog from Snoring:
The first step to eliminating snoring is to realize that certain dog breeds are prone to snoring. Brachycephalic or short-headed breeds are the most susceptible to the snoring condition. Brachycephalic breeds include Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Sih-Tzus Himalayans, and many more. The scrunched in snouts on these dogs significantly reduces the room in their nasal cavities, which can make it hard for them to breathe and cause them to snore. If you are a light sleeper and uninterrupted sleep is critical to your lifestyle, you may need to avoid purchasing one of these breeds.
If there’s no obvious reason for your pet’s snoring or snoring started suddenly, your vet can help you determine the cause. Removing an abscessed tooth and treating the infection with antibiotics should relieve tooth-related snoring, while prescription medication will improve your pet’s health and reduce snoring caused by hypothyroidism.
Does your dog treat you to a symphony of snoring every night? Although snoring is often harmless, it can be a sign of a health problem in some cases. Understanding the reasons your dog may snore can help you decide if it’s time to call your veterinarian.
Stopping or reducing snoring can often be as simple as gently nudging your dog to roll over or helping your pet lose a little weight. (If your dog is overweight or obese, your veterinarian can help you create a weight loss plan that will help your pet shed those extra pounds safely.) If a cold or upper respiratory infection is the cause, snoring is likely to stop once your pet starts to feel better.
Snoring occurs when tissues in your dog’s nose, mouth, or throat vibrate as air passes through them. The sound effects are more likely to happen if your pet’s airway narrows due to inflammation, an obstruction, congestion, or other issues.
Snoring isn’t necessarily a sign of trouble in dogs with short noses. If you have one of these breeds, it’s important to keep your pet’s weight under control and monitor your dog’s breathing if it gets a cold or upper respiratory illness. If snoring is an indication of a serious issue, your vet may recommend surgery to improve airflow.