Why does my dog sound like he’s snoring when he breathes? A Comprehensive Guide

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Symptoms of Noisy Breathing in Dogs

Noisy breathing can be displayed in many ways; the causes for why your dog is breathing with a raspy sound can range from mild to serious. Always see your veterinarian for any changes in your pet’s breathing patterns.

  • Open mouth breathing
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Restlessness
  • Noise upon inhalation, exhalation or both
  • Coughing
  • Snorting
  • Gagging
  • Labored, difficult breathing (dyspnea)
  • You may see movement of the chest
  • The sounds may be heard even at a distance
  • Snoring
  • He may be asymptomatic at rest, and only breathe noisily during exertion, or he may make the noises all of the time
  • Change or loss of bark
  • There may be a nasal discharge
  • He may have blue mucus membranes (cyanosis)

    • Types

    Abnormal breathing will result when air passes through areas that may be affected with disease or malformation.

    Nares and nasal cavity

  • The nose openings, the nasal cavity, and internal nares open to the pharynx

    • Nasopharynx

  • Connects the windpipe with pharynx above the soft palate

    • Pharynx

  • Connects the mouth and the nasal passages with the esophagus

    • Larynx

  • Connects the pharynx to the trachea, and is also known as the voice box

    • Trachea

  • Connects the larynx to the lungs, and is commonly called the windpipe

    • What does it sound like when a dog is having trouble breathing?

    The sound is different than a cough or sneeze, and sounds very similar to a wheezing sound a human would make. A wheezing dog will make a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, usually on an exhale. If your dog is in distress, they may try to find a spot to lay down to try to get their breathing under control.

    What are the signs your dog is dying?

    How Do I Know When My Dog is Dying?

  • Loss of coordination.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • No longer drinking water.
  • Lack of desire to move or a lack of enjoyment in things they once enjoyed.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Vomiting or incontinence.
  • Muscle twitching.
  • Confusion.

    • Dog Coughing Sounds Like a Hairball: Do This

    Stertor: noisy breathing that occurs during inhalation, is low-pitched, and sounds similar to snoring. It’s usually caused by airways being blocked in the throat.