Puggle Snoring – Why Do Pugs Snore So Loud?
Pugs love to sleep by their owners on the same bed. However, you need to understand that they are loud sleepers before deciding to cuddle your little pup. If your dog snores a lot, you are not alone; it is nothing out of the ordinary.
Wondering why your pug snores so much? This is because they are dogs with a small muscular head and flat faces that makes it difficult for them to breathe well through their small nostrils.
It’s nothing strange to find a snoring dog, but the snoring of a Pug is very loud that it may keep you awake through the night. Thus, the Pug snoring problem is no joke, and if you’ve been thinking about getting one of these adorable pets, this article will help prepare your mind on what to expect regarding their snoring issue.
Reason Pugs Snore So Loudly?
Like in humans, if the airflow in your dog’s throat and passages is restricted, it will result in a snoring problem that will become obvious when your dog is sleeping. Snoring is therefore very common in both dogs as well as it is in humans. Snoring is simply the vibration of an entire respiratory system due to a lack of free airflow.
Every species of dog will occasionally snore, which is perfectly normal. However, brachycephalic breeds, like pugs, are more prone to having a snoring problem than other species for several biological reasons. If your pug snore is becoming a thing of concern for you, then you must realize that it is just an expression of their nature.
Causes of Their Snoring
There are lots of reasons why anyone would snore loudly, Pugs inclusive. As we saw earlier, snoring occurs when there is an obstruction in the air flow, thereby causing the soft palate to relax during sleep.
However, beyond this, there are several other culprits behind the snoring of your pug, which may include Obesity, Medications, Genetics, Age, Colds, Allergies, Sleeping Positions, Obstructions, etc. We will now have a closer look at some of the mentioned causes to give you a better idea of what could be responsible for your dog’s snoring problem.
- Sleeping Positions: A significant factor that can cause severe snoring problem for your pug is its resting position. If your dog is fond of laying on its back when sleeping, it will make more snore in that position than when sleeping in any other position. Lying on the back makes it difficult for air to flow freely through the airways. This causes the pallet and flesh behind the throat to sag and forms a blockage around the airway. If your dear pug snores too loudly, you can start by correcting it’s sleeping position to keep the air flowing smoothly.
- Nasal Obstructions: Inhaling objects while playing in the house or outside can lead to a blockage in your pet’s nasal passage. Objects like small toys, leaves, grass, sticks, stones, etc., may end up in the dog’s nostril if inhaled or in its throat when swallowed. This will eventually lead to nasal congestion and result in snoring. In situations where loud snoring is associated with an obstruction of the airway by an object, the snoring will automatically stop when such a blockage is removed.
- Genetics: Pugs are brachycephalic, and thus, these dogs are more likely to snore due to their genetics. The Short nose and small faces that are their characteristic feature make it difficult for them to breathe normally, thereby making them prone to having a snoring problem.
- Allergies: Even though pugs are usually allergic to pollen, grass, dirt, dust, and many more things, they may not necessarily result in a snoring problem. Allergies generally result in skin problems, excessive coughing, and sneezing in most species of dogs. Although, if a dog is has a problem with breathing, the allergies may further complicate the breathing problem, especially when it is sleeping at night. It is best practice to meet with your vet for professional advice if you think your pet is suffering from an allergy.
- Age: As a pug gets older, it is normal for them to snore more often than younger. Most pug puppies do not snore, and even if they do, it’s very gentle and adorable to watch. It is not much you do much about dog aging since it is only natural that they do.
- Cold: When your dog catches a cold, it will end up snoring louder than usual. This is because cold can make it difficult to breathe at night and cause your dog to snore loudly during sleep. After the cold is gone, it would return to its normal sleep routine. If it were snoring earlier, the noise would become lesser after recovery.
- Medications: Medicines like muscle relaxants and antihistamines can increase the intensity of your dog’s snoring. Usually, this is only temporary, and your dog will stop snoring or return to normal after stopping the medications.
- Obesity: As in humans, being overweight or lacking in physical fitness can result in a snoring problem for your pug. The extra weight of flesh on the neck and throat can cause it to snore. If your dog is overweight, it is a good idea to put it on a diet for weight control specifically formulated for Pugs. Also, reducing its food intake or making a slight adjustment in the feeding schedule can go a long way to help. You can also design a workout schedule for it to enforce the weight loss further. However, you mustn’t overdo it. Start by taking it for a 30-minute walk daily, especially if it is not used to exercising in the past. As it’s becoming more used to it, you can try adding more minutes. You must bear in mind that it must be a gradual process, so it doesn’t end with an injury.
Does Every Pug Snore?
Absolutely! this short-headed dog species has a narrow skull and short nose, making breathing difficult for them, whether during a cold night or hot summer day. Don’t worry if your pug snores, except if the problem gets worse or when you start to hearing crackling or twitching vibrations in the snore; at such a point, it is advisable to contact your vet.
Other Dog Species that are More Prone to Snoring
Below is a list of other dog species prone to having a snoring issue that most types.
- Boston Terrier
- Black Russian Terrier
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Boxers
- Clumber Spaniel Bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Chow Chows
- French Bulldog
- Pekingese
Now you know it is perfectly normal for this little breed to snore when it snores at night and is nowhere near overweight, or any other reasons we considered above, don’t worry. If your dog started snoring suddenly and nothing changed in the state of health, you should contact your vet ASAP. From a proper diagnosis, they will be able to detect the cause of the snoring problem and find out if it is something serious.
How can My Pug Stop Snoring?
Pugs belong to a breed of dogs that are naturally prone to snoring so. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to stop this problem. Before trying any of the tips below, ensure you have a proper understanding of the snoring problem’s cause. The tips will not help if the cause of your pug snoring is a medical condition, allergies, or medication. Also, there is no absolute solution to the snoring problem, but the few tips below may reduce it.
- Make use of a pillow: Place the dog’s head four inches above the rest of its body using a pad. This will open his airway by moving his chin and tongue forward.
- Keep the bedroom moist: The membranes in a dog’s throat and nose are known to easily get irritated by dry air, thereby causing or exacerbating snoring problems. Making use of a fan or humidifier can help your dog relax at night and reduce noise.
- Don’t smoke inside the House: Passive smoking not only affects your humans; it affects every person around, including your dogs.
- Avoid obesity: It is one of the leading causes of snoring in humans and dogs. If your pug is overweight, now is the time to put it on a diet and increase its activity level by creating an exercise routine for it. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your dog and to discuss a new diet for it. Implementing an exercise routine will also help it lose weight faster.
- Clean the air: If your dog suffers from allergies, clean up his bedding regularly. When they return to the premises after being outdoors, they bring in allergens from the outside, leading to snoring or worsen it.
- Use a Round bed: A round bed will help your dog sleep more comfortably on its sides than its back, which causes snoring.
Conclusively, it is pugs to snore, however there are a few ways to reduce the noise so that you can sleep peacefully which we have discussed above.
