Why Do Dogs Snore?
It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some point, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn’t mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.
It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog goes into this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.
For sure, many of us have already observed a dog ‘running’ during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For instance, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.
Dogs which snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore. Most though have to do with the obstruction of the passage of air in the throat caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. The same as in humans.
A snoring dog should be checked for various issues to determine which treatment can be best applied. Some dogs are especially prone to specific allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting correct breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.
Maybe, your dog is overweight. As with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore during the night. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue that hangs around the throat which can potentially cause the obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy nights of restful sleep too.
The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have squashed faces which narrows their air passages to a greater or lesser degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their problems in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with the flu, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.
Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. However, be certain that, before you take any decision, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop your dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to follow the guidelines offered by your veterinary surgeon.