Introduction
Have you ever heard your dog making snoring-like noises when he’s clearly awake? If so, you’re not alone. Though snoring is most commonly associated with sleep, dogs can exhibit snoring sounds while awake for a variety of reasons. Snoring in dogs, whether asleep or awake, occurs when air passing through the throat causes tissues to vibrate and make noise. In awake dogs, this is usually a symptom of an underlying issue.
While occasional awake snoring may not be cause for concern, chronic or worsening snoring can indicate potentially serious health problems. Understanding the common causes and consulting your veterinarian can help you get to the root of the issue and determine the right treatment approach.
In this article, we’ll explore the anatomy behind awake dog snoring, common causes ranging from allergies to anatomical factors, diagnostic steps, and potential treatment options. We’ll also cover when it’s time to seek veterinary care. Armed with this knowledge, you can better understand why your dog might be snoring even when he’s not sleeping.
Anatomy of the Canine Airway
To understand why some dogs snore while awake, it helps to know the basic anatomy of a dog’s airway. Here are some of the key structures that can contribute to snoring sounds:
Soft Palate – The soft palate is the soft tissue at the back of the roof of a dog’s mouth. It separates the nasal passages from the mouth. An elongated or thick soft palate can vibrate and cause snoring noises.
Trachea – The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is the tube connecting the throat to the lungs. The walls of the trachea can sometimes collapse or become irritated, leading to snoring sounds as air passes through.
Nasal Passages – Dogs have intricate nasal passages with many folds and convolutions inside their snouts. Swelling in the nasal passages from allergies or other irritation can restrict airflow and lead to snoring.
An obstruction or irritation in any of these upper airway structures can disrupt normal breathing and cause snoring, even when a dog is awake. Understanding the anatomy helps identify possible causes.
Common Causes of Awake Dog Snoring
There are several common causes that may lead to snoring even when your dog is awake:
Allergies
Allergies can cause nasal inflammation and obstruction that narrows the airways. This forces the dog to breath harder through the narrowed passages, causing turbulent airflow and snoring sounds, even when awake. Common allergens for dogs include pollen, dust mites, mold, and certain foods.
Respiratory Infections
Bacterial or viral infections of the respiratory tract, such as kennel cough or canine influenza, can cause inflammation and excess mucus production. The swelling and mucus buildup narrows the airways, leading to snoring while awake as the dog struggles to breathe through congested airways.
Anatomical Factors
Some dogs may have anatomical abnormalities that obstruct normal airflow and lead to snoring. Elongated soft palates, collapsed tracheas, or narrowed nostrils can all contribute to airway blockages. These physical obstructions force the dog to snore even when awake as they try to move air through the restricted nasal and throat passages.
Allergies
Allergies are a very common cause of snoring and other respiratory issues in dogs. Inhaling allergens like pollen, dust, or irritants in the air can cause inflammation in a dog’s nasal passages and throat. This inflammation results in snoring and other noises as air has trouble moving smoothly through the airway.
Some common allergy triggers for dogs include:
- Pollen – from trees, grass, weeds, and plants
- Dust – especially dust mites in carpeting, bedding, and furnishings
- Food – ingredients like beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, lamb, soy, eggs, and corn
Allergic dogs may rub their face on carpets or furniture to relieve facial itching caused by inflammation. Sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes are also common allergy symptoms in dogs.
To diagnose allergies, vets may do intradermal allergy testing. This identifies specific allergens to avoid. Blood tests or elimination diets can also help pinpoint food allergies. Once triggers are identified, treatments like antihistamines, immunotherapy, or prescription hydrolyzed protein diets can provide relief.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are a common cause of snoring and other abnormal breathing sounds in dogs. Two of the most prevalent respiratory infections include kennel cough and pneumonia.
Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It’s caused by bacterial, viral, or even fungal infections of the trachea and bronchi. The most common pathogens are Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, and Mycoplasma species. Kennel cough produces a honking cough that sounds like snoring as dogs struggle to expel mucus from their airways. It spreads easily between dogs in close proximity through coughing, sneezing, or contaminated surfaces.
Pneumonia is another respiratory infection causing breathing difficulties and odd snoring-like sounds in dogs while awake. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi may infect the lungs, causing inflammation, pus, fluid buildup, and reduced airflow. Aspiration pneumonia, one of the most common forms, occurs after a dog inhales foreign matter into their lungs such as vomit, food, or water. Pneumonia often produces crackling lung sounds, coughing, fever, lethargy, and fast, shallow breathing in dogs.
Anatomical Factors
Certain anatomical features of a dog’s airway can cause snoring even when awake. Two of the most common culprits are:
Elongated Soft Palate
A dog’s soft palate is the soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth. If it is too long, it can vibrate and partially block the airway. This vibration creates the snoring noise. An elongated soft palate is one of the most common anatomical reasons for awake dog snoring.
Stenotic Nares
Stenotic nares refer to abnormally narrow nostrils in dogs. This constriction of the nasal passages can increase airway resistance when breathing, leading to snoring sounds.
Both elongated soft palate and stenotic nares are hereditary conditions that certain breeds like Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are prone to. These physical airway abnormalities can cause snoring even when a dog is awake and relaxed.
Other Contributing Factors
There are additional factors that can make snoring more likely in dogs even when they are awake. Two of the most common include:
Obesity
Carrying excess weight puts pressure on a dog’s neck and throat tissues, which can narrow the airways and vibrate as air passes through. Obese dogs are at higher risk for snoring while awake due to the increased tissue bulk around their airway.
Aging
As dogs get older, their throat and neck tissues can lose muscle tone and slacken. This natural effect of aging allows excess tissue to vibrate more freely as air passes through the throat, resulting in snoring sounds.
Diagnosing the Cause
If your dog is snoring while awake, it’s important to identify the underlying cause. The vet will perform a full examination and ask about your dog’s health history. They may recommend additional diagnostic tests such as:
- Chest x-rays – To look for signs of infection or anatomical abnormalities.
- Endoscopy – A camera is inserted into the airway to directly visualize the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
- Allergy testing – Either intradermal or blood tests to identify environmental allergens.
- Culture and sensitivity testing – To identify any bacterial or fungal infections.
The vet will review the results of these tests to pinpoint the reason your dog is snoring while awake. Identifying and treating the underlying problem is essential to managing awake dog snoring.
Treatment Options
There are several treatment options available depending on the underlying cause of your dog’s snoring while awake.
Medication
If allergies or a respiratory infection are causing swelling and irritation, your vet may prescribe antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics, or steroids to reduce inflammation. This can help open up the airways and reduce snoring. Some medications also help thin mucus secretions.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended for dogs with anatomical abnormalities like elongated soft palates, collapsed trachea, or nasal polyps. These procedures can remove or correct obstructions to improve breathing and decrease snoring.
Lifestyle Changes
Ensuring your dog maintains a healthy weight through diet and exercise can reduce pressure on the throat and airways. Using a harness instead of a collar, avoiding pollutants like cigarette smoke, and using a humidifier can also help reduce irritation.
When To See A Vet
If your dog’s awake snoring persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s important to schedule a veterinary exam. Some signs that warrant a trip to the vet include:
- Snoring that continues for days or weeks
- Snorting, gasping, or other unusual respiratory sounds while awake
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Coughing or gagging
- Nasal discharge
- Sneezing fits
- Loss of energy, lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Bad breath
A vet can help diagnose the underlying cause of your dog’s snoring through a physical exam and diagnostic tests. They may prescribe medications or other treatments to address health issues contributing to the snoring. Prompt veterinary attention is crucial for dogs showing signs of respiratory distress.