Help! My dog snorts like a pig!
Why does my dog snort like a pig? Is this something that I should be worried about?
The snorting sounds that dogs make are sometimes referred to as reverse sneezing. This process occurs when their soft palate is somewhat irritated and their throat muscles tremor. Because of this situation, your dog will compensate by breathing and expelling a lot of air. Hence, the snorting sound is heard!
I was a first-time dog owner when I first got Oyo. He immediately captivated my heart the moment we met, and I knew then that I will do everything to make him safe and healthy. I have gone through various veterinary journals to get the most accurate information on what to feed him and how to train him properly. Everything went on smoothly after a week until one night, I heard him make this snorting sound which absolutely scared me.
Horrible thoughts have entered my overthinking brain. Is he having a heart attack? Is he having difficulties in breathing? Is he just dreaming? I know you might find this odd but believe it or not, we bolted to the vet’s clinic at 9 in the evening, only to have been told that Oyo is just snorting.
So it turns out that it is completely normal for a dog to snort like a pig, and this article discusses all the probable reasons why your dog does this.
What does it mean when your dog is making a snorting noise?
Whenever you hear your dog snort when you play or cuddle, you might feel concerned, especially if you are unaware of its underlying cause. Do not worry because most of the time, it is not a matter to concern about!
When your furry pets snort from time to time, they might be unconsciously manifesting how they feel! It may be excitement, happiness, or friendliness.
Reverse sneezing is the snorting sound that dogs create when they rapidly and forcefully inhale air into their nose. They involuntarily create this sound when their soft palate or throat gets irritated and triggers spasms.
Sometimes, the sound heard during this breathing process can be a cough, wheeze, or sneezing. As strange as these sounds may be, it does not necessarily mean a medical problem for them. Note that some breeds of dogs are more prone to snorting compared to others!
Do you have pugs, chow chows, or Yorkies? These brachycephalic breeds, or dogs with a short nose and a flat face, are more prone to snort occasionally! Their mouth and nose structure make them emit an unusual snorting sound not common to other larger breeds.
However, we cannot rule out the fact that the small piggy noises might indicate a respiratory problem. Watch out for signs of inflammation, allergies, or nasal mites. Your brachycephalic companions are more prone to such illnesses since they have shorter nasal passages, narrower tracheas, and longer palates.
A snorting sound is also produced when an allergen clogs your dog’s trachea, blocks air passages, or even collapses the trachea. If you suspect these underlying problems, it is best to consult with a vet to ensure your adorable pet’s health.
It is normal for dogs of all breeds and ages to create a snorting sound.
What should you do if your dog suddenly start snorting?
As you spend time with your pet dogs, you will surely be accustomed to their body language and communication patterns. But what if you start noticing them snorting when they do not usually do it?
Snorting can be a manifestation of respiratory blockage. When you notice it is paired with unhealthy symptoms like runny noses or red and watery eyes, it might be a medical problem that a vet can help you with.
On several occasions, dogs snort or manifest reverse sneezing on a seasonal basis. Similar to humans, dogs also have a time of the year where they suffer more from a seasonal allergy.
Moreover, the snorting sound can mean that they have some difficulty when they breathe. A change in weather or environment also contributes to it.
How do I get my dog to stop reverse sneezing?
If you notice too frequent reverse sneezing or possible exposure of your dog to allergy-inducing environments, then you might trace them to be the cause of the snorting sounds.
You can expect your dogs to have trouble breathing and eventually suffer from long-term respiratory strain.
As we previously noted, a veterinary consult is best if you want to be sure about the cause of your dog’s snorting. These experts can help prescribe antibiotics, construct an individualized treatment plan, or trace a sprouting health problem.
However, here are some simple ways to help address the less complicated reasons for the reverse sneezing of your canines.
Try to avoid some practices that contribute to the respiratory distress of your dogs! When you take them for a walk, it is best to avoid the use of neck collars. Harnesses are best since you avoid placing unwanted pressure on your dog’s throat.
Moreover, to avoid persistent reverse sneezing, keep your dog’s spaces clean and free from allergens like dust or pollen.
Temperature also plays a role! On warmer days, modulating with air conditioners will help your dog be in a more comfortable environment.
Lastly, it will be best for your dog to maintain a healthy weight. Other than helping stop reverse sneezing, maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent other health concerns like obesity.
Reverse sneezing is not always a condition that warrants a veterinary consult. However, as a responsible owner, you need to remain vigilant, especially if it becomes worse.
Do dogs snort when they’re happy?
As you will notice from spending lots of time with your pet dogs, they will make different kinds of sounds depending on their mood. Did you know that snorting is one of their ways of telling you that they are happy?
First, you need to distinguish between a sneeze due to allergies and a playful snort. They might sound the same; however, they mainly differ in intensity and possible expelled matter.
When your pets sneeze, they usually inhale very deeply and remove fluids like mucus and saliva. Along with it, they will have other symptoms of illness such as runny noses or itchy, red eyes.
In contrast, a playful snort is due to a quick release of air. It is just a short release of air to express their emotions.
Your dogs can snort at you when they are happy! Other meanings of a snort can be friendliness and playfulness.
Why does my dog snort when I hug him?
Dogs release a plethora of noises, and most of the time, these are involuntary. They express their feelings with these sounds even without them being fully aware of them. Do you notice how your dog might snort when you hug them?
Yes, dogs snort when they are happy. Hence, when you hug or cuddle them, they might be feeling overjoyed and could not help but release a little piggy sound!
Furthermore, when you hug or cuddle your canine pets, they can feel very relaxed. A simple snort can mean that they wanted to tell you how genuinely happy and comfortable they feel.
Why Does My Dog Snort When Playing?
As dogs feel happy, they tend to snort. This is common especially if your dog belongs to some brachycephalic breeds. Their respiratory tract is designed so that short gasps of air are expelled in a snorting sound. Have you encountered your dogs snorting when you play with them? Obviously, it is because they are enjoying it!
Some experts believe that snorting is your pet’s way of communicating their emotions. As they get delighted and excited, they cannot help but release a rush of air from their short noses and emit that cute little snort.
On another note, some experts like to believe a different explanation. As dogs get very excited in playing, they tend to position their bodies so that they arch their back and wrinkle the nose. This simulates a sneezing position. Hence, a snorting sound is produced!
Either way, the snort of a healthy dog can mean that they really enjoy your company and playtime!
Why does my dog snort at me?
Are you concerned when your dogs snort even when not playing or cuddling? If they are in a very healthy state, then you do not need to worry about it. Dogs tend to feel excited even when you are not engaging with them. So, when very excited and ecstatic, a snort can be heard occasionally.
Sometimes, your dog might just be fooling around! Some dogs want to get their owner’s attention, and one way for them to do it is if they pretend to snort or sneeze.
Why does my dog snort when excited?
In contrast to humans with many facial expressions for showing excitement or other emotions, dogs tend to be more physical and vocal. When excited, they wag their tails, jump around, bark, or even sneeze and snort playfully!
Dogs are indeed expressive pets. And they surely do not know how to hide their excitement! When dogs are excited, you can notice them snorting frequently. This is possible because the release of air might be too rapid. Hence, they emit a short snort or sneezing sound.
However, some experts believe that dogs snort and sneeze as a calming mechanism. They say that as dogs snort, they try to calm themselves, especially in exhilarating situations! Whichever one it may be, we cannot deny that dogs show us many different body languages and expressions, which can help us get closer to them.
In Conclusion
If you have a dog, regardless of its breed, you are sure to encounter different expressions and sounds as they try to communicate with you. With all these, the dog’s little snorts are no exception.
Reverse sneezing is not always of medical concern. You can also do some simple precautionary measures to ensure that this does not progress to an unwanted problem. As long as you keep an eye out for any developing health problem, then you are sure to maintain your dog’s health!
Lastly, make sure to consider taking your beloved pet to the vet if you find something wrong. Snorting might sound cute, and your dog might just be being expressive, but a health issue should not be something to be ignored!
