How To Stop Your Dog Snoring
No matter how wonderful your dog is during the day, man's best friend can quickly become an annoyance if he or she is a loud snorer at night. Dog snoring is caused by the same thing that causes human snoring–due to a relaxation of the throat muscles, the dog's upper airway is partially blocked while he sleeps.
A variety of things can cause upper airway blockage. Some breeds of dog are more vulnerable to upper airway obstruction than others. Pugs and Pekingese, for instance, with their cute little noses, are more likely to have ongoing upper airway infections than longer-nosed dogs.
Another cause of dog snoring is allergies. When the pollen count rises, your dog may suffer right along with you–awake and asleep. Second-hand smoke is also an irritant to some dogs. It can cause the throat to swell and narrow, resulting in snoring while asleep.
Finally, extra weight can narrow the throat and make an upper airway blockage more likely.
Quick Fixes for Dog Snoring
There are a few things you can try to reduce your dog snoring and restore harmony to the bedroom. First, encourage your dog to change his posture. For instance, if he has been sleeping stretched out beside you on the bed, get him a round basket that forces him to curl up to sleep. This may open his airway enough to prevent snoring.
If your pet is carrying around a few extra pounds, help her lose the weight. Exercise with her an extra fifteen to thirty minutes a day. A veterinarian can make recommendations about the best food for weight loss.
Be sensitive to allergies. The pollen count is lowest in the middle of the day, highest in the mornings and evenings. If possible, take your dog on his longest walk around noon. If you smoke, be aware that the second hand smoke may be irritating your pet's throat. Consider cutting back or smoking most of your cigarettes outside.
Finally, if your dog continues snoring loudly at night and disrupting your sleep, then you may have to move her out of your bedroom at night or go to your veterinarian to find out what else you can do in this situation.
When to Call the Vet
Dog snoring is rarely a serious health condition, but you may want to consult with your veterinarian if your dog snores very loudly and none of the tips above have helped. You will also want your dog examined if she appears to be gasping for air while asleep. Finally, if your dog coughs or wheezes while awake, a visit to the vet is certainly necessary.
Dog snoring can be a real pain, but with a little patience, you will probably be able to figure out the problem and continue to enjoy a loving relationship with your pet–day and night.
