- Home
- Dog Conditions
- Why does my dog’s breathing sound like snoring?
- Nares and nasal cavity: The nose openings, the nasal cavity, and internal nares that open to the pharynx.
- Nasopharynx: Connects the windpipe with the 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: Commonly called the windpipe, this connects the larynx to the lungs.
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
- Open mouth breathing
- Exercise intolerance
- Restlessness
- Noise upon inhalation, exhalation or both
- Coughing
- Snorting
- Gagging
- Labored, difficult breathing (dyspnea)
- Visible chest movements
- Snoring
- Change or loss of bark
- Nasal discharge
- Blue mucus membranes (cyanosis)
Your dog may show no signs while they’re resting, and only breathe noisily during exertion. They might even make the noises all of the time.
- Neoplasia. This can be new, uncontrolled tissue growth. Also covers tumors and cancer.
- Foreign bodies that may have got stuck inside your dog’s nose somehow.
- Collapsed nostrils (stenotic nares). A narrowing of the nostrils, especially prevalent in dogs with ‘squashed up faces’.
- Chronic nasal disease, such as rhinitis.
- Nasopharyngeal stenosis. A narrowing of the nasal passage that results in poor airflow when the mouth is closed.
- Polyps. These are pink growths in a dog’s nose, some of which are benign and some of which can be cancerous.
- Abscess. Often the result of an infection – look out for areas of redness.
- Tonsillar prolapse. An uncommon tonsillitis-like condition in dogs.
- Retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy. This is an enlargement at the back of a dog’s throat.
- Soft palate elongation. These are abnormalities in the soft tissues at the back of your pooch’s mouth.
- Laryngeal paralysis. Breeds congenitally prone to this condition include Bouvier des Flandres, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Bulldog and Bull Terrier, while breeds prone to acquire the paralysis are Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter and Great Dane.
- Laryngeal collapse. This happens when the muscles in your dog’s voice box weaken or become paralyzed, either due to genetics or something they’ve developed over time. As a result, the cartilage that those muscles support collapses inward, making it harder for them to breathe properly.
- Everted laryngeal saccules. The laryngeal saccules are small, soft tissue masses that extend from the laryngeal ventricles in your dog’s larynx. They play a role in keeping the vocal cords lubricated and enhancing the sound of vocalization. But when things go wrong, these saccules can contribute to airway disease or even lead to obstruction, making it harder for your pup to breathe properly.
- Tracheal stenosis. This can happen if your dog’s windpipe becomes narrow or constricted.
- Tracheal collapse (tracheal loss of rigidity and prevention of airflow to the lungs, often seen in Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles and Pomeranians)
- Foreign objects. This refers to anything that can accidentally get stuck inside your dog’s nose
Stethoscope
The best way to deal with noisy breathing issues? Stop them before they start. While some conditions can’t be prevented entirely, there are several things you can do at home to help your pup breathe easier and avoid complications. Here are some key steps:
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
