Trying to get a peaceful night’s sleep with a snoring dog seems impossible. I didn’t want to move my pup out of the room, so I decided to find a solution.
It turns out there are many ways to stop your dog’s snoring. Not all of them involve a vet visit! Here, we’ll be talking about natural ways to stop your dog from snoring.
Generally speaking, the best way to stop a dog from snoring is to eliminate allergens. Dust and dirt make it harder for your dog to breathe, so wash their bedding and vacuum regularly.
You can also check their airways for blockages or use a humidifier to keep the air moist. Finally, ensure your dog gets plenty of exercises to avoid becoming overweight.
Your dog’s snoring might have multiple causes, so make sure to try a different approach if snoring persists. Here are ways you can stop your dog from snoring.
Stop Your Dog’s Snoring
There are several reasons why your dog might be snoring. It’s best to try multiple methods to stop snoring. This can help you pinpoint the cause of your dog’s snoring and eliminate it in the future.
Here are some of the reasons that your dog might be snoring:
- Allergens
- Dust
- Tobacco
- Excess weight
- Airway blockage
- Infection
- Dry air
- Sleeping position
- Other medical problem
If you aren’t sure why your dog is snoring, it’s best to start with the easiest explanation.
If all else fails, you may need to see a vet about your dog’s snoring, but most snoring issues can be resolved with a little troubleshooting.
Wash Bedding to Get Rid of Allergens
Your dog’s favorite bed might be dusty, dirty, or full of allergens. If you haven’t washed it lately, put it in the washing machine.
If your dog is snoring a lot, it might be best to do this a few times a week.
In addition to washing the bedding, you can vacuum your carpet more regularly. Even vacuuming the curtains can help reduce allergens.
If your dog seems to be having an allergic reaction that is causing him to snore, this can help.
Regardless of your dog’s snoring, washing their bedding can be a great way to keep them healthy. If your dog is sensitive to scents, use a mild detergent.
If you smoke in your home, your dog might be reacting poorly. Try to avoid smoking around your dog, or move your smoke breaks outside.
Secondhand smoke may make your dog uncomfortable and lead to respiratory issues.
Give them a Pillow to Clear Airways
Your dog’s sleeping position may be the cause of the snoring. If you can, try moving your dog gently into another position. However, this is only a short-term solution.
If you can, switch out your dog’s bed for one with a cushion around the outside edge. This bolster can act as a pillow to keep your dog’s neck straight.
This can help clear their airways and increase the amount of air they’re getting.
At the very least, you should attempt to give your dog a pillow to prop its neck up.
Circular dog beds are also great for encouraging a better sleeping position. When a dog curls up to sleep, the position of its neck allows for improved breathing.
Check for Blockages and Signs of Infection
If your dog’s snoring started suddenly, look them over. Make sure their nose and throat are clear of blockages.
Snoring can be a sign of sudden obstruction of their airways and breathing passages. Check them over carefully.
On the other hand, they might have an infection. Dogs may snore because they have allergies or a cold. It could also be a sign of a respiratory infection.
Tooth infections can lead to abscesses and restrict breathing as well.
Check for the following signs:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Bloody nasal discharge
- Excessive nasal discharge
- Loose teeth
- Inflamed gums
- Blood in the mouth
- Lumps on gums
- Lumps under tongue
If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, it’s best to take them to a vet. They will be able to help your dog breathe easier and avoid further infection.
Move Their Bed to a Different Room
This isn’t just to help you sleep better. There might be something about the location of their bed that is causing them to snore. Allergens, dust, and other irritants may be causing them trouble.
The room may be too dry or too humid. There may be hidden mold or other issues that could be causing your dog’s breathing problems.
If changing his position doesn’t help, try moving his bed to another room entirely. If your dog’s bed is in the living room, try moving it to a bedroom. If he usually sleeps in your bedroom, try moving him out.
Be aware that your sleeping habits could also be causing his issues. If you sleep with a dehumidifier or a similar machine for your congestion, it might be a problem for him.
If you sleep with a fan, try moving his bed out of the affected area.
Though your dog may not like sleeping in a different room at first, it can make a small difference to his snoring. It might help you get a better night’s rest, too!
Use a Humidifier to Keep Air Moisturized
Dry air can irritate your dog’s nasal passages, throat, and more. If you live somewhere that is routinely too dry, this can cause snoring and other damage.
It may become too dry for him to breathe properly.
For this problem, try using a humidifier. These machines can be inexpensive. They use water vapor to add moisture to the air.
This can help soothe irritated noses and throats. It can decrease how much and how loudly your dog snores.
If you can’t get a humidifier, there are other options you can try. Hang your damp laundry or damp towels around the room.
This can help keep the air moist enough for your dog to breathe a little easier.
You can also use open bowls of water to add a little moisture to the area. If your dog sleeps in a room with a bathroom, run the shower for a while to create steam.
Just make sure to keep the air moist to avoid further irritating your dog’s nose and throat.
Exercise to Avoid Being Overweight
It goes without saying that being overweight is bad for your dog. Each breed has different weight ranges.
Therefore, each breed has a different definition of ‘overweight’. Weigh your dog and compare within their breed’s ideal weight ranges.
The buildup of excess fat around your dog’s neck can make them snore. If your dog is getting older and just started snoring, this might be the problem. Make sure you aren’t overfeeding your dog.
The best way to deal with an overweight dog is more exercise. Different ages and breeds even have different exercise requirements.
Active breeds, puppies, and young adults may need as much as an hour of exercise a day – and a walk might not be enough.
Play with your dog to get them up and running around. Fetch or other activities can be great for them, as well as chase games in the backyard. The point is to get them up and moving.
Your older dogs need exercise, too. They should be walked every day, even multiple times a day. Walk them for as long as their aging limbs allow.
This isn’t a fast solution to your dog’s snoring. Helping your dog become more active may take several weeks or months. However, it can help them become healthier in the long run.
Take Them to the Vet
If all else fails, you should take your dog to the vet. Some breeds are at an increased risk for breathing issues.
These breeds should be monitored carefully for any sign of respiratory distress, including snoring.
You should take your dog to the vet if they show any signs of having an infection or blocked airways.
If none of these solutions works to stop your dog’s snoring, it might be time for a vet visit to look at your dog’s breathing and soft palette.
Is Your Dog Brachycephalic?
According to Sarah Netherton of the University of Illinois, Brachycephalic dogs are at a greater risk of developing respiratory and soft palette problems.
The following breeds are some of the most popular brachycephalic breeds:
- French bulldogs
- Standard bulldogs
- Boxers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Shih Tzus
- Boston Terriers
- Mastiffs
- Pugs
There are 24 different Brachycephalic dog breeds. If your brachycephalic dog starts to snore, take him to the vet immediately. It can be a sign of a dangerous condition and may require surgery.
Avoid Snoring Treatments
There may be several homeopathic treatments on the market for treating your dog’s snoring. Avoid using these. Consult with your vet if you are interested in using herbal treatments for your dog’s snoring.
Never use a treatment meant for humans on your dogs. Some ingredients may be harmful to dogs, even if they are safe for humans. Use only vet-approved and prescribed snoring treatments.
Final Words
There are many ways you can stop your dog’s snoring. There’s no reason to try and sleep through the noise! Try and pinpoint the reason they might be snoring and help solve the problem. Restful nights are ahead!
Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a vet with 15 years of clinical experience. She graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Her area of expertise is small animal general practice, equine practice, surgery, and academia.
Dr. Whittenburg operates her own hospital in Lubbock, TX, named Kingsgate Animal Hospital. Medically, she’s most interested in practicing general surgery and feline medicine. When not at work, Dr. Whittenburg enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with her family.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.