Why Does My Labrador Snore?

You may think it is cute or funny to hear your Labrador snoring. You may find it annoying.

Especially if he shares your bedroom

But what does it actually mean?

And why do some dogs snore whilst others never do?

Some facts about dogs snoring

Snoring is a noise caused by vibration of the soft tissues of a dog’s mouth and throat.

The vibration arises when there is some kind of minor or major obstruction in the dogs airway.

Too much tissue for example,  or tissue that is too floppy may cause a narrowing of the throat.

Snoring is much more common in dogs that have been bred with very short muzzles (like pugs, and bulldogs) because there is not room in the dog’s mouth for all the soft tissue that lives there!

It can and does however, occur in dogs with normal muzzles like our Labradors.  As you will know if you have a snorer in your home.

Does obesity cause snoring?

Probably the most common reason for a Labrador to snore is obesity.   Your dog does not have to be grossly overweight for this to happen.

In an overweight dog, pads of fat are deposited around the throat which interfere with the airflow.

So, if your Labrador snores and you can’t feel his ribs,  his weight may be the cause.

You might want to consider taking a few pounds off him.  As a bonus, he will also feel better, be more active and in better general health.

You can  find out more about tackling obesity in Labradors in this article  “Fat Labrador”.

Talking to your vet about snoring

But maybe your Labrador is very slim and still snores the house down every night.

Does it matter?

And what can you do about it anyway?

There could be a number of other reasons why your dog is snoring,  but if you are not aware that he has one of these problems, or if the snoring is unusual for him, or is getting worse,  it is a good idea to get him checked over by the vet

Allergies and other causes of dogs snoring

Just like people,  some dogs suffer from allergies.  An allergy affecting your dog’s airways may cause snoring due to the swelling of the tissues in the mouth and throat, and is often accompanied by a watery nasal discharge

Much more rarely, snoring may be caused by a tumour or some other obstruction of the nasal passages.

Another reason to get a quick vet check for your snoring dog.

It goes without saying that you should have him checked immediately if there is a thick or bloody discharge from either nostril!

Medication for dogs snoring

Check with your vet whether or not your dog’s medication is the possible cause of his snoring.  Pain relievers, and some other medicines, may cause the throat to relax more than usual,  which can trigger a bout of snoring.

If your dog needs the medication,  then you will probably have to live with the snoring.   But for some dogs there are ways to improve the situation

Remedies for dogs snoring

You might find it helpful to adjust the position your dog sleeps in.

One of the best solutions for mild snorers, is to make sure that your Labrador is encouraged to curl up, rather than sprawl on his back.  A round or oval bed is ideal for this.

Some people find that a bed with a raised padded edge helps,  as it encourages the dog to rest his head in a raised position.

If nothing can be done to put an end to your night time ‘serenade’,  then you’ll need to make sure your Labrador does not sleep too near to your bed.  Or invest in a good pair of ear plugs!

Never heard a Labrador snore?

Here’s what it sounds like

Is your dog a snorer?

Does your dog snore?  Have you found any remedies that help?  Share your experiences in the comments box below

More information on Labradors

(paid link)You can find out more about how to keep your Labrador as fit and healthy as possible in the Health section of our website.

If you’d like all of our best Labrador information together in one place, then get your copy of The Labrador Handbook today.

The Labrador Handbook looks at all aspects owning a Labrador, through daily care, to health and training at each stage of their life.

The Labrador Handbook is available(paid link) worldwide.