What this means
The key is to separate when it happens. Snoring during sleep, particularly lying on the back or with the head bent, is common and mostly unimportant. Noisy breathing that you can hear while your dog is awake, at rest or after light exercise is a different matter.
Note down when it began: has it always been like this or is it a new change? New snoring in an adult dog can mean the airway has narrowed or changed. Also notice whether your dog tires sooner, whether the voice has changed and whether it struggles in warm weather.
In short-nosed breeds snoring and heavier breathing are often tied to the shape of the face. Even if it feels familiar, it is worth discussing with your vet whether your dog's breathing is still within its own normal range.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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A short muzzle and narrow airways
In short-nosed breeds the soft tissue in the throat and narrow nostrils get in the way of airflow, so breathing is noisy, especially during sleep and on a hot day.
About the condition: Brachycephalic airway syndrome -
A problem with the voice box
When the muscles of the voice box no longer open properly, breathing in sounds harsh and noisy and gets worse after exercise. It is seen more in older dogs.
About the condition: Laryngeal paralysis -
A blocked nose
Inflammation, discharge or a foreign object in the nose causes snoring and breathing through the mouth.
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Excess weight
Fat around the neck and throat narrows the airway, so snoring can get louder after weight gain.
About the condition: Obesity -
Sleeping position and irritants
Lying on the back, or dust, smoke and allergens, can bring on temporary snoring that eases when the surroundings change.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether the snoring is only in sleep, or while awake too
- Whether it is new or has always been there
- Whether your dog tires or gets breathless on walks
- Whether the voice or bark has changed
- Whether weight has been going up lately
- Whether breathing is noisier on a warm day
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if the snoring is new, getting worse, can be heard while your dog is awake, or your dog tires sooner.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome Breathing In short-muzzled dogs the nostrils, nasal passages, soft palate and throat are packed into very little space, so air has a harder time getting through. These dogs work harder to breathe than others, especially in heat, when excited or after exertion, and that can turn into real danger. How much it affects a particular dog varies a great deal, so their breathing is worth talking over with a vet.
- Laryngeal paralysis Breathing Laryngeal paralysis is a condition in which the cartilages of the larynx no longer open properly when the dog breathes in, because the nerves and muscles that move them weaken. Less air reaches the lungs, and the dog struggles to cool down, since dogs shed heat by panting. If a dog is struggling to breathe, its gums turn blue or it collapses, it needs a vet immediately.
- Nasal disease Breathing This is an umbrella term for various problems of the nasal passages and sinuses: infections, inflammation, foreign bodies such as grass awns lodged in the nose, tooth root disease or tumours. A dog's nose matters not only for breathing but also for smell, the sense through which it gets to know the world. Lingering nose trouble can have very different causes, so it is worth showing to a vet.
- Obesity Hormones and metabolism Obesity is a condition in which too much fat builds up in a dog's body. The extra weight strains the joints, heart and breathing, raises the risk of diabetes and other diseases, and makes it harder for the dog to move and enjoy an active life. Weight creeps on gradually, so it is easy for an owner to miss, and a vet can help assess the dog's body condition.
Body systems: Breathing Hormones and metabolism