February 27, 2025, 9:35 am | Read time: 3 minutes
For some dog owners, this sound is like music to their ears: After a varied walk in the park or an exciting visit to dog school, the four-legged friend lies snoring contentedly in its basket. The abdominal wall rises and falls regularly, and a — sometimes not quite so — soft Chrrrr-Chrrr-Chrrrr can be heard. But why do dogs actually snore? PETBOOK explains what is behind the sleeping noises — and under what circumstances snoring can be a reason for a visit to the vet.
When our partner snores, we are usually annoyed — after all, their nocturnal “sawing work” often deprives us of sleep. With dogs, we are often more forgiving and find the rattling noise of our four-legged friend cute. Nevertheless, dog owners should look and listen carefully because noisy sleeping can have a serious cause. Read on to find out why dogs snore and how you can remedy the situation.
These Dog Breeds Snore Particularly Often
Basically, all dog breeds can snore, just like humans. The whistling, rattling, or creaking noise is produced in the upper airways. When a constriction in the palate slows down the airflow, the soft palate, uvula, and base of the tongue vibrate — and the dog snores. This phenomenon is particularly common in breeds with very short muzzles, such as pugs, French and English bulldogs, boxers, and Pekingese. In these breeds, the constricted throat is usually the cause of the nocturnal “sawing.”
However, other physical characteristics such as a soft palate that is too long, nostrils that are too narrow, growths in the nose, or obesity can also be reasons why a dog snores. Sometimes, the characteristic sleeping sound can be an indication of an existing illness, such as dental problems or swollen airways caused by an allergy or infection, which can be the reason why a dog suddenly starts snoring. In young dogs, in particular, fungal diseases such as sinonasal aspergillosis (SNA) can be the cause of the sleeping noise.1
Is It a Good Sign if My Dog Snores?
The good news first: it’s not always a physical limitation or an acute illness that causes dogs to snore. In most cases, the sleeping noise is actually completely harmless and is triggered by an unfavorable lying position, for example. Just like us humans, dogs can dream and move in their sleep. Some twist their bodies so much that the throat is constricted. This can be the case when lying on their back or when their head hangs over the edge of the basket.
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What to Do if Your Dog Snores?
Normally, snoring, technically known as rhonchopathy, is not a cause for concern. However, if the animal appears to have problems in the throat area when awake, for example, when breathing or swallowing, it should be taken to a vet as soon as possible. The vet will first examine the four-legged friend clinically. Then, based on their initial suspicion, take an X-ray or perform an endoscopy.
Once the cause of the snoring has been found, it will be treated specifically. For example, if the vet has discovered a foreign body in the four-legged friend’s throat, the vet will remove it under anesthesia. Other possible surgical procedures include shortening the soft palate, widening the nostrils, and/or removing any cartilage growths. If the dog is overweight, this should be reduced in a healthy way. In addition, an orthopedic dog bed can help to stop snoring.2