Why Dogs Snore

Some dogs snore while sleeping and some dogs snore when awake. Some dogs even snore when they’re asleep or awake. Snoring is fairly common among domestic pets but some owners find this extremely annoying. If you have a dog that snores and it’s making your days and nights uncomfortable, there are several things you can do to stop your dog from snoring.

First, check your dog to see if it has an obstruction in its nasal passage or nostrils. This will cause a constriction of its airway and make breathing difficult. Snoring is just one symptom of this problem.

Before you try to stop your dog’s snoring, it’s necessary to understand the reasons why dogs snore so you can take preventive steps to stop its snoring.

Dogs snore for several reasons:

A dog that is overweight or obese usually has excess tissue in the throat which obstructs its airways. This in turn causes snoring and an occasional gasping for air.

Allergic reactions can be caused by pollen from weeds and certain trees like Poplars. Smoke and dust can also cause nasal allergies, resulting in a thick mucus that blocks the nostrils and causes heavy breathing and snoring.

Certain dog breeds are predisposed to snoring. Dogs who have flat faces like the Pekinese, Pug, and Boston Terrier snore as their windpipe flattens, making it difficult for them to breathe.

If you are a smoker, be aware that tobacco smoke is highly irritating to your dog. If your dog is constantly exposed to a smoke filled environment it will continue to snore.

Some dogs will snore if they have a cold and the snoring will continue until its nostrils clear up.

Now that you have a few clues as to why dogs snore, here are some ways you can help your dog stop snoring:

(1) If your dog’s snoring is caused by allergens, make sure you frequently wash its bedding, including the cover to the bed, if removable. Take your dog outdoors only when pollen levels are low. When taking your dog out for a walk try to stay away from traffic and auto exhausts as much as possible.

(2) Regular exercise will help reduce your dog’s weight if it’s overweight or obese. Losing pounds will often help end the snoring problem.

(3) Flat faced dogs predisposed to snoring can undergo a minor surgical procedure while young to lessen the chance of snoring problems as they grow older.

(4) Keep your home smoke-free and never smoke when close to your dog where it can’t avoid inhaling your smoke.

(5) Alter the way your dog sleeps by changing its bed or sleeping position. You can try using a pillow to elevate the dog’s head which might reduce the snoring.

(6) Consider having your dog sleep in another room other than your bedroom at night.

A dog may exhibit certain signs when snoring that indicate an underlying illness. If your dog continues to snore heavily in spite of any anti-snoring measures you undertake, you may want to have a vet examine your dog to determine the cause. If your dog has never snored before and the snoring unexpectedly appears, you should definitely take your dog to the vet for a checkup because the underlying cause could be quite serious.

Dogs snore and people snore. Hopefully, you don’t have to put up with both every night. Taking simple preventive steps can help both you and your dog, and also increase your pet’s life span. This means your loving companion will be around a lot longer to bring you happiness.

Since 1990, Winston’s Joint System and Winston’s Pain Formula have helped heal over twenty thousand dogs from all over the world. Our staff specializes in hip dysplasia, arthritis and all joint, pain and mobility issues.

There is an excellent chance we can help your dog, so please contact us at: www.dogshealth.com or call our toll free number at 888-901-5557.

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Should You Sleep With Your Dog

Should you sleep with your dog? Do you believe it’s healthy to let your dog sleep in your bed with you? If you’re a person who suffers from pet allergies or asthma you definitely should not allow your dog to sleep in the bed with you. Some people have allergies so bad that they can’t even allow their dog in the bedroom.

Regrettably, most pet lovers feel guilty kicking a beloved companion out of their bed by wrongly assuming that their dog will take it as a personal affront. This kind of thinking is undesirable and counter-productive if your pet is causing your allergy problems. If you suffer from allergies you know are being caused by your pet, you should consider getting allergy shots to build up your tolerance to pet dander which causes an allergic reaction.

If you’re not allergic to pet dander, then by all means, let your dog sleep in your bed if you want unless it disturbs your sleep at night. Some dogs are snorers, kickers, or like to hog the covers and these actions can affect your sleeping pattern to the point of harming your health. A study by the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center found that about half the people diagnosed with a serious sleeping disorder had a dog or cat, and of those people, 53% had their sleep disturbed by their pet every night.

People who sleep with a dog and suffer from insomnia may not realize their sleeplessness could be caused by something so simple as their dog snoring or scratching the bedcovers at night. If you’re a person who has no problem falling or staying asleep, then allowing your dog to sleep in the bed is a decision you can make for yourself. In fact, some people feel calmer with their dog in the bed.

When contemplating whether or not you should sleep with your dog, reflect on the fact that dogs only sleep with people or other dogs they trust. So if your dog wants to sleep with you, it’s just letting you know that it thinks you’re a good person and you deserve its company.