Why Is My Dog Snoring So Loudly?

Most dog parents have heard their pup snore, but when those nighttime rumblings become loud, constant, or even shake the bed, it’s natural to be concerned. While snoring in dogs is often harmless and kind of cute, it can sometimes signal something happening medically, physically or environmentally.

What Actually Causes Dog Snoring?

Just as in humans, snoring occurs when air doesn’t move smoothly through your dog’s nose, throat, or airway. Instead of passing freely, airflow hits some type of obstruction, like excess tissue, inflammation, or even the way your dog is positioned. That vibration is what creates the familiar snoring sound. Loud snoring usually means the airway is narrowed enough that the airflow becomes turbulent, especially during the deepest part of the sleep cycle.

Dogs can snore for multiple reasons, and often, several factors overlap. Pinpointing the root cause can help determine whether the snoring is normal, or something that deserves a closer look.

Breed-Related Snoring: Why Some Dogs Are Naturally Louder

If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, like a French Bulldog, Pug, English Bulldog, Shiatzu, or Boston Terrier, snoring is almost expected. These breeds have short noses and compacted facial structures, which lead to narrowed airways and elongated soft palates.

Because their airway anatomy is already tight, even a slight amount of inflammation, congestion, or throat tissue vibration can create loud snoring. For some brachycephalic dogs, their snoring may be louder than a human’s.

It doesn’t mean that these breeds are unhealthy, yet they are more prone to breathing difficulties, overheating, and airway obstructions. Any sudden increase in snoring in a short-nosed breed should be evaluated, especially if you notice extra effort when breathing.

Obesity and Weight Gain: One of the Most Common Causes of Snoring

Extra body weight doesn’t just sit on the outside. When a dog gains weight, fat deposits can form around the throat and neck, which puts pressure on a dog’s airway. This narrows the space available for airflow and causes tissue to vibrate loudly during sleep.

Weight-related snoring often develops gradually. A dog who didn’t snore before may start snoring more loudly as their body condition changes. Increasing exercise, measuring meals, and reducing high-calorie treats can make a noticeable difference, not just in snoring, but your dog’s overall health.

Your Dog’s Sleeping Position Can Also Contribute to Snoring

Many dogs snore loudly simply because of how they sleep. If your dog loves lying on his or her back with their legs in the air, gravity pulls the tongue and soft palate backward, narrowing the airway. Even dogs who sleep curled in a tight ball may partially obstruct their own nasal passages.

If your pup snores loudly for part of the night but quiets down when shifting positions, this is likely the cause. It’s harmless, but you can encourage side-sleeping by providing a supportive orthopedic bed.

Allergies and Nasal Congestion

Seasonal allergies, environmental allergens, household dust, smoke, or even fragrances can irritate your dog’s nasal passages. This leads to inflammation, congestion, and extra mucus, all of which interfere with smooth airflow. Dogs with chronic allergies often snore more loudly during flare-ups.

If your dog has a runny nose, itchy skin, watery eyes, or sneezing along with the snoring, allergies may be the culprit. Reducing irritants at home, using air purifiers, and cleaning your bedding more often can help, but your veterinarian can recommend the most effective allergy management plan.

Respiratory Infections and Illness

Colds, kennel cough, sinus infections, and other respiratory illnesses can cause loud, sudden snoring due to swollen tissues and blocked nasal passages. These infections often come with additional symptoms:

Coughing

Nasal discharge

Sneezing

Lethargy

Decreased appetite

If your dog’s snoring appeared suddenly and they seem under the weather, a vet visit is important. Treating the underlying infection usually resolves the noisy breathing.

Dental Problems Can Affect Your Dog’s Breathing Too

It might not be obvious, but dental issues such as infected teeth, abscesses, or gum swelling can put pressure on nasal or sinus passages. Because the tooth roots in dogs are close to the nasal cavity, inflammation or infection can cause airway narrowing that leads to snoring.

If your dog also has bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, or difficulty chewing, have his or her dental health checked. Addressing oral infections often greatly improves nighttime breathing.

Secondhand Smoke or Environmental Irritants

Air quality plays a major role in how well your dog breathes during sleep. Household smoke, dust, strong cleaning products, candles, perfumes, or even dry winter air can inflame the respiratory system. Dogs living in dry or polluted environments often snore more loudly or more frequently.

Adding a humidifier, improving ventilation, or removing irritants can significantly reduce snoring for sensitive pups.

When Loud Snoring Becomes a Concern

While occasional snoring is normal, especially if your dog has always snored, it’s important to pay attention to changes.

Contact your veterinarian if the snoring is accompanied by:

 Pauses in breathing

 Gagging or choking sounds

 Increased effort to breathe

 Snoring that suddenly becomes much louder

 Restlessness during sleep

 Blue or pale gums

 Daytime fatigue or collapsing

These symptoms could indicate obstructive sleep apnea, airway collapse, or more serious respiratory issues that need medical attention.

How to Help Your Dog Snore Less

You may not be able to eliminate snoring completely, especially if your dog is a brachycephalic breed, but you can make changes that help them breathe more comfortably at night.

One of the most effective steps is maintaining a healthy weight. Extra pounds put pressure on the airway, so helping your dog stay lean through portion control and regular exercise often leads to noticeably quieter sleep. Even a small reduction in weight can make a big difference for dogs who snore due to airway compression.

Improving your home’s air quality can also greatly reduce snoring. Air purifiers help remove dust, dander, and allergens that irritate the nasal passages, while keeping your home smoke-free prevents chronic inflammation of the throat and lungs. Washing your dog’s bedding frequently is another simple way to minimize allergens and prevent buildup of dust mites or environmental debris that can aggravate their breathing.

Regular dental care also plays a surprisingly important role in nighttime breathing as well. Dental infections, gum swelling, or abscesses can all affect the sinuses and contribute to loud snoring. Routine cleanings and checkups help catch these issues early and reduce airway inflammation.

Finally, if allergies are contributing to your dog’s snoring, working with your veterinarian to treat seasonal or environmental triggers can dramatically improve both sleep quality and daily comfort.

Small lifestyle changes often add up to big improvements. While some dogs will always snore, supporting healthy breathing habits will help your pup sleep more peacefully, and you will too.