Dog snoring is common; however, this occurs mostly during sleep. When the dog makes snore noises while awake, this may be an alarming signal, but it may also be nothing serious. Find out about the possible reasons for dog snoring while awake and see what you can do to stop the snoring.
Pushed in Faces
The dog’s facial anatomy may cause the dog to snore while awake. There are some dog breeds that have pushed in faces and reduced air passages, which can cause breathing difficulties.
Pugs, bulldogs or shar pei dogs can have breathing difficulties due to the way their face is constructed.
Foreign Objects
If the dog has ingested or inhaled a foreign object, this may cause a snoring noise while the dog is awake, as the object may block the air ways.
Inspect the dog’s nose and throat and see if you can detect any foreign objects; use a pair of tweezers to extract the foreign object. If you fail to do so, visit a vet; he may need to perform anesthesia to remove the object. In some cases, surgery will be needed.
Allergies
If the snoring is more severe during the pollen seasons and the dog snores after he’s been outdoors or in contact with smoke or different chemicals, the snoring may be caused by allergies.
Antihistamine medications should be provided to alleviate the allergies and stop the snoring.
Tumors
Tumors located in the nasal cavity may cause the dog to snore while he is awake. If your dog has a tumor in his nose, he may also display symptoms such as sneezing, nose bleeding or panting.
The nature of the tumor should be established; if it is benign, it
should be removed. If the tumor is malignant, it should also be
removed, if possible and the dog should also start the chemotherapy and
radiation therapy.
Respiratory Infections
A dog with a respiratory infection may snore while awake. Watch out for other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, ocular and nasal discharges or fever.
The symptoms of respiratory infections will disappear in up to 10 days, but the dog can carry the virus and infect other dogs, so it is important to diagnose the infection and keep the dog away from other pets.
Respiratory Problems
If your dog has respiratory or lung problems, he may snore while awake. Look for other symptoms such as pale or bluish gums and tongue, panting, wheezing and shallow breathing.
Obesity
An obese dog is more likely to snore while he is awake and this should be no cause for concern. The vet may recommend a slimming diet and a more intensive exercise program to help the dog lose weight, as obesity may also cause other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease or arthritis.
If your dog starts snoring while awake, you should visit the vet to find out the possible cause. The snoring may be stopped by treating the underlying condition; however, some dogs may continue to snore.