Our four-legged friends are adorable, but sometimes the sounds they make are anything but. Dogs of all ages, lifestyles and breeds make snorting sounds from time to time, but if you find yourself wondering, \u201cWhy is my dog snorting?\u201d often or if dog snorting is unusual for your pooch, here are a few factors that could be at play \u2014 and what you should do about dog snorting!<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat causes dog snorting? Photography \u00a9BiMKA | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dog Snorting \u2014\u00a0What Causes It?<\/h3>\n
For some pet parents, those dog snorting sounds are just a part of life. If you happen to share your home with a Pug<\/a>, Pekingese<\/a>, Shih Tzu<\/a>, Bulldog<\/a> or another brachycephalic breed<\/a> (think any dog with a \u201cpushed-in face\u201d), your dog will likely snort from time to time because of his flat, wide skull shape.<\/p>\n \u201cBrachycephalic pets have a higher risk of respiratory illness, given that they have smaller openings to their nasal passages, narrower tracheas that can collapse, and long, soft palates,\u201d explains Dr. Kathryn Boyle, DVM, Banfield Pet Hospital<\/a>. \u201cThese attributes are part of why brachycephalic breeds tend to snore<\/a> and snort more than other breeds.\u201d She notes that the nasal issues often associated with these dogs can also put your pet at an increased risk of overheating<\/a>, pneumonia and severe respiratory distress.<\/p>\n \u201cAt best, brachycephalic dogs have noisy, everyday breathing when they exert themselves through exercise or when they\u2019re overheated in warm weather<\/a>,\u201d adds Dr. Heidi Houchen, DVM, VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists<\/a>. \u201cThey often snore when sleeping and snort when excited \u2026 and if a dog is severely affected by their upper airway abnormalities, they may cough<\/a>, gag, retch or vomit<\/a> \u2014 and may even collapse when they are overheated, overexcited<\/a> or exert themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n If your pet has suddenly starting snorting, or is not a brachycephalic breed, Dr. Heather N. Mitchell, DVM, Animal Health Clinic in North Dakota<\/a>, warns that both dog snoring and dog snorting can be early signs that there\u2019s something blocking your pet\u2019s nasal passages, such as an infection, inhaled plant material or a mass. \u201cIf the snoring or snorting continues for a while, it definitely warrants a check over with a veterinarian,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n Just like in humans, common allergens can cause respiratory issues. If your pet is suddenly snorting and you\u2019ve noticed that your eyes are watering or you\u2019re sneezing more than usual, your pet is probably suffering from the same seasonal allergies<\/a> you are. In addition to allergies, dogs may also have difficulty breathing \u2014 or make more noise when they breathe \u2014 as a result of weather changes or other environmental factors. \u201cRemember that pets are sensitive to the same things as people, such as allergens, high humidity, hot or cold temperatures, and smoke,\u201d Dr. Boyle says. \u201cIf you are uncomfortable, you pet is likely also uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Dog snorting may also happen on occasion for reasons that don\u2019t require medication or even a trip to the vet. According to Dr. Houchen, some examples include when you hear your pet \u201creverse sneeze.\u201d This is a dog\u2019s normal reaction to the mucosal lining of their nasopharynx being irritated, she explains. \u201cOnly very rarely does a dog \u2018reverse sneeze\u2019 so persistently that it requires a trip to the vet,\u201d Dr. Houchen adds. \u201cIn those instances, medication to decrease inflammation may be administered.\u201d<\/p>\n If your Bulldog has always made snorting sounds, there\u2019s probably not much you can do about it \u2026 unless the snorting becomes frequent and more severe. \u201cIf, despite an owner\u2019s best efforts, a brachycephalic dog is having more difficulty breathing<\/a> on more frequent occasions or with decreasing amounts of stress<\/a> \u2026 a veterinarian will fully examine and assess the pet to determine if surgery could be warranted or bring some relief to the effort of breathing,\u201d Dr. Houchen notes. Surgical options for dog snorting would include opening the narrowed nasal passages, removing the laryngeal pouches and shortening the soft palate.<\/p>\n Pet owners should also remain aware of doing anything that might make dog snorting worse. Dr. Boyle advises using harnesses instead of collars when walking<\/a> to prevent putting additional pressure on a dog\u2019s neck.\u00a0\u201cWe also recommend keeping these dogs in more controlled temperatures and environments, such as in the air conditioning on warmer days,\u201d she says. Dr. Houchen notes that helping your pet maintain a healthy weight can also help lessen any dog snorting, as obesity<\/a> tends to worsen these symptoms.<\/p>\n In some cases, determining any outside factors that may cause dog snorting is the only prevention. \u201cBeing aware of what your dog is sniffing can sometimes help \u2026 but as every dog owner knows, sometimes that\u2019s not possible,\u201d Dr. Mitchell says.<\/p>\n If your dog\u2019s snorting has gotten severe or is caused by a more serious issue, such as a foreign body, you may need to treat it. Whether the dog snorting is caused by chronic rhinitis, a nasal or sinus mass, an anatomic abnormality or bleeding, Dr. Houchen notes that your veterinarian will conduct a workup with the goal of assessing clotting status or determining the presence of bacterial or viral infections, sedating and examining of the nasal passages and upper airway, assessing nasal secretions for the presence of bacteria, fungi, or parasites, taking x-rays of the skull or performing a rhinoscopy.<\/p>\n Depending on what your veterinarian finds, she may recommend medications such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, or surgery to remove polyps or masses. \u201cThe prognosis is highly dependent on what is found during that workup \u2014 finding a small, benign polyp that will eliminate a respiratory situation upon removal will warrant a good prognosis, while discovering a highly invasive cancerous mass carries a poorer prognosis,\u201d Dr. Houchen concludes.<\/p>\n Top photograph: 19msa05 | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The post Dog Snorting \u2014\u00a0Why It Happens and What to Do About It<\/a> by Jennifer Lesser<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Dog Snorting \u2014\u00a0Why It Happens and What to Do About It<\/a> by Jennifer Lesser<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n Our four-legged friends are adorable, but sometimes the sounds they make are anything but. Dogs of all ages, lifestyles and breeds make snorting sounds from time to time, but if you find yourself wondering, \u201cWhy is my dog snorting?\u201d often or if dog snorting is unusual for your pooch, here are a few factors that could be at play \u2014 and what you should do about dog snorting!<\/p>\n What causes dog snorting? Photography \u00a9BiMKA | Thinkstock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For some pet parents, those dog snorting sounds are just a part of life. If you happen to share your home with a Pug<\/a>, Pekingese<\/a>, Shih Tzu<\/a>, Bulldog<\/a> or another brachycephalic breed<\/a> (think any dog with a \u201cpushed-in face\u201d), your dog will likely snort from time to time because of his flat, wide skull shape.<\/p>\n \u201cBrachycephalic pets have a higher risk of respiratory illness, given that they have smaller openings to their nasal passages, narrower tracheas that can collapse, and long, soft palates,\u201d explains Dr. Kathryn Boyle, DVM, Banfield Pet Hospital<\/a>. \u201cThese attributes are part of why brachycephalic breeds tend to snore<\/a> and snort more than other breeds.\u201d She notes that the nasal issues often associated with these dogs can also put your pet at an increased risk of overheating<\/a>, pneumonia and severe respiratory distress.<\/p>\n \u201cAt best, brachycephalic dogs have noisy, everyday breathing when they exert themselves through exercise or when they\u2019re overheated in warm weather<\/a>,\u201d adds Dr. Heidi Houchen, DVM, VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists<\/a>. \u201cThey often snore when sleeping and snort when excited \u2026 and if a dog is severely affected by their upper airway abnormalities, they may cough<\/a>, gag, retch or vomit<\/a> \u2014 and may even collapse when they are overheated, overexcited<\/a> or exert themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n If your pet has suddenly starting snorting, or is not a brachycephalic breed, Dr. Heather N. Mitchell, DVM, Animal Health Clinic in North Dakota<\/a>, warns that both dog snoring and dog snorting can be early signs that there\u2019s something blocking your pet\u2019s nasal passages, such as an infection, inhaled plant material or a mass. \u201cIf the snoring or snorting continues for a while, it definitely warrants a check over with a veterinarian,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n Just like in humans, common allergens can cause respiratory issues. If your pet is suddenly snorting and you\u2019ve noticed that your eyes are watering or you\u2019re sneezing more than usual, your pet is probably suffering from the same seasonal allergies<\/a> you are. In addition to allergies, dogs may also have difficulty breathing \u2014 or make more noise when they breathe \u2014 as a result of weather changes or other environmental factors. \u201cRemember that pets are sensitive to the same things as people, such as allergens, high humidity, hot or cold temperatures, and smoke,\u201d Dr. Boyle says. \u201cIf you are uncomfortable, you pet is likely also uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n Dog snorting may also happen on occasion for reasons that don\u2019t require medication or even a trip to the vet. According to Dr. Houchen, some examples include when you hear your pet \u201creverse sneeze.\u201d This is a dog\u2019s normal reaction to the mucosal lining of their nasopharynx being irritated, she explains. \u201cOnly very rarely does a dog \u2018reverse sneeze\u2019 so persistently that it requires a trip to the vet,\u201d Dr. Houchen adds. \u201cIn those instances, medication to decrease inflammation may be administered.\u201d<\/p>\n If your Bulldog has always made snorting sounds, there\u2019s probably not much you can do about it \u2026 unless the snorting becomes frequent and more severe. \u201cIf, despite an owner\u2019s best efforts, a brachycephalic dog is having more difficulty breathing<\/a> on more frequent occasions or with decreasing amounts of stress<\/a> \u2026 a veterinarian will fully examine and assess the pet to determine if surgery could be warranted or bring some relief to the effort of breathing,\u201d Dr. Houchen notes. Surgical options for dog snorting would include opening the narrowed nasal passages, removing the laryngeal pouches and shortening the soft palate.<\/p>\n Pet owners should also remain aware of doing anything that might make dog snorting worse. Dr. Boyle advises using harnesses instead of collars when walking<\/a> to prevent putting additional pressure on a dog\u2019s neck.\u00a0\u201cWe also recommend keeping these dogs in more controlled temperatures and environments, such as in the air conditioning on warmer days,\u201d she says. Dr. Houchen notes that helping your pet maintain a healthy weight can also help lessen any dog snorting, as obesity<\/a> tends to worsen these symptoms.<\/p>\n In some cases, determining any outside factors that may cause dog snorting is the only prevention. \u201cBeing aware of what your dog is sniffing can sometimes help \u2026 but as every dog owner knows, sometimes that\u2019s not possible,\u201d Dr. Mitchell says.<\/p>\n If your dog\u2019s snorting has gotten severe or is caused by a more serious issue, such as a foreign body, you may need to treat it. Whether the dog snorting is caused by chronic rhinitis, a nasal or sinus mass, an anatomic abnormality or bleeding, Dr. Houchen notes that your veterinarian will conduct a workup with the goal of assessing clotting status or determining the presence of bacterial or viral infections, sedating and examining of the nasal passages and upper airway, assessing nasal secretions for the presence of bacteria, fungi, or parasites, taking x-rays of the skull or performing a rhinoscopy.<\/p>\n Depending on what your veterinarian finds, she may recommend medications such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, or surgery to remove polyps or masses. \u201cThe prognosis is highly dependent on what is found during that workup \u2014 finding a small, benign polyp that will eliminate a respiratory situation upon removal will warrant a good prognosis, while discovering a highly invasive cancerous mass carries a poorer prognosis,\u201d Dr. Houchen concludes.<\/p>\n Top photograph: 19msa05 | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The post Dog Snorting \u2014\u00a0Why It Happens and What to Do About It<\/a> by Jennifer Lesser<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat If You Notice Your Dog Snorting Suddenly?<\/h3>\n
Can You Prevent Dog Snorting?<\/h3>\n
Treating Dog Snorting<\/h3>\n
Read Next: How to Understand and Help Your Noise-Phobic Dog<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\nDog Snorting \u2014\u00a0What Causes It?<\/h3>\n
What If You Notice Your Dog Snorting Suddenly?<\/h3>\n
Can You Prevent Dog Snorting?<\/h3>\n
Treating Dog Snorting<\/h3>\n
Read Next: How to Understand and Help Your Noise-Phobic Dog<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n