If you’re a pug owner, you know they love to cuddle.
And with their cute little faces, you’ll want to snuggle with them all the time too.
Sadly, if you’re a light sleeper, you may have realized that they’re loud sleepers and you may find it hard to sleep with their noise.
Read on to understand why Pugs snoring and how to reduce the snoring.
Why Do Pugs Snore?
It’s normal for your pug to snore loudly. This mostly occurs when there is an obstruction in the passageways preventing air movement.
The sound that your pug makes when they’re snoring is the vibrations their respiratory system is making.
And although many dog breeds snore, pugs are among the loudest as they’re brachycephalic.
Brachycephalic dog breeds struggle to breathe normally because of their flat faces and small nostrils.
Factors that Contribute to a Pug’s Snoring
Sleeping next to your pug as they snore loudly isn’t cute.
And the first step to putting a stop to this is by understanding what causes them to snore so loudly.
Here are the leading causes:
1. Wrong Sleeping Positions
This is not a medical or genetic problem, but if your pug is sleeping on their back, it may be the reason they’re snoring so loudly.
When your pug sleeps on their back, the flesh on the back of their throat blocks airways, preventing air from moving freely.
To know if this is the problem:
- Try to tweak your pug’s sleeping position
- Roll him and see if it stops them from snoring
- If the snoring reduces then, that’s the cause
2. Obstructions
Pugs are very sneaky, and they’re likely to end up with leaves, grass, stones, sticks, and all kinds of things stuck in their throats and noses.
The objects can block your pug’s nasal obstructions that can cause snoring.
If this is the reason your pug is snoring, it should end once the obstruction is removed.
3. Genetics
As aforementioned, pugs are brachycephalic and are prone to genetic tendencies.
French bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers are among other dogs prone to brachycephalic issues.
This causes breathing problems that cause animals to snore more than other dogs.
Dogs with short snorts can’t stop snoring immediately, but with a few tricks (to be discussed later), you can regulate their snoring.
4. Allergies
If your pug is already having a snoring problem, allergies can worsen their snoring.
There is so much stuff that pugs can be allergic to, including dust, pollen, dirt, or even passive smoke.
Some things that may indicate that your pug is allergic to something include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Skin problems
You can start with small fixes like smoking outside to protect your pug’s respiratory system and reduce snoring.
If they’re struggling with other allergies, talk to your vet for a solution.
The treatment will reduce the snoring issues and allow your pug to have a night of quality sleep.
5. A Pug’s Age
Just like human beings, pugs snore louder as they age.
In fact, you might not even notice your puppy pug’s snoring. And if they snore, it’s kind of cute.
As your pugs get older, they’re likely to snore more. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it.
Just make sure you get them a comfortable bed and ensure they’re sleeping in the right position.
6. Medication Side Effects
Just like you, some drugs can cause your pug to snore.
If your pug is on muscle relaxers, pain killers, and health problems like antihistamines, they might snore louder than usual.
Luckily, this is temporary, and it will stop once they’re off the medication.
7. Colds
Just like human beings, pugs are likely to snore louder when they’re having a cold.
This is simply because the cold makes breathing more difficult hence the louder snoring.
Your pug’s nose may also have temporary inflammations, which can cause squeezing and snoring.
All this should stop immediately when the cold ends. If after the cold you realize they’re still struggling, consult your vet.
8. Obesity
As a pug owner, you ought to know that they love to eat and hate exercising in equal measures. Therefore, it’s easy for them to become overweight.
An overweight pug will snore more than a dog who’s healthy because the extra fat blocks the air from moving freely in the airways.
So, if your dog has been adding weight lately, this may explain the snoring.
Here is what to do if your pug’s weight is the problem:
- Feed your pug quality food, and measure the quantity correctly.
- Take your pug for 2- 30 minutes walks in the morning to avoid the sun and preserve their energy.
Note that obesity not only causes snoring but also leads to other serious problems.
Should I Be Worried About My Pug’s Snoring?
If your pug’s snoring is caused by being overweight or other issues discussed above, there is nothing to worry about.
So, here is when to start worrying about your pug’s snoring:
- If they snore so loud to the extent of waking themselves up
- If they have blue gums or cyanosis
- If he has trouble breathing
- If his energy levels are very low and they’re not overweight
- If they started snoring loudly all of sudden from nowhere
When this happens, the best thing is to contact a vet for professional help.
Tips & Tricks to Stop Your Pug’s Loud Snoring
Although pugs are naturally loud snores, there are a few things you can do to make the snoring more tolerable.
Here are effective ways to control your pug’s snoring:
1. Use a Pillow
The angle at which the pug’s sleep can restrict the air from moving freely in their passages.
Propping them on a pillow, with their head raised at least four inches from the rest of their body, can control the snoring.
This moves your pug’s jaw and tongue forward, allowing the air to flow without restrictions. ( Here is a soft pillow from amazon that your pug will love)
2. Use a Humidifier to Increase Air Moisture
Too dry air can affect your dogs’ nose and throat, making the snoring problem worse.
Keeping a fan helps increase air moisture and helps them breathe easily.
A humidifier (view on Amazon) that will put moisture into the air might be a good choice to help reduce snoring.
3. Smoke Outside
Your dog’s respiratory organs can be damaged, and they can even develop heart problems from passive smoking. Make an effort to smoke outside.
4. Check Your Pug’s Weight
This is among the leading causes of snoring.
If your pug is overweight, consider increasing their activities and put them on a diet.
If you’re not sure whether your pug’s weight is ideal or not, talk to your vet about it and ask for any diet advice.
5. Keep their Beddings Clean
If your pug is prone to allergies, vacuum their beddings every two days and a full machine after every two weeks.
This will eliminate any grains or other allergens that they may bring from their outdoor activities.
6. Buy Your Pug a Round Bed
This may seem far-fetched, but according to vets, sleeping in a round bed ( view on Amazon) can take off the pressure from your dog’s esophagus, creating more space for air movements.
7. Have their Teeth Checked
Sometimes dental problems can lead to snoring problems.
Have your pug’s gums and teeth frequently checked as abscesses and decay can prevent airflow causing breathing problems.
If you try all the seven tips and nothing regulates the snoring, you’ve got two more options. They include.
- Talk your pug to the vet.
If it’s serious, they’ll perform a small nasal surgery to make the situation better. However, in most cases, this isn’t necessary.
- Sleep in a different room.
If you can’t stand your pug’s snoring, it’s okay to let them sleep in a separate room.
Don’t feel guilty about it. You can still snuggle during the day when you’re awake.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What other dog breeds snore loudly?
- Boxers
- Bulldogs
- Boston Terrier
- Pekingese
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Black Russian Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Chow Chows
- Clumber Spaniel
2. Is it normal for pugs to snore?
Yes. Pugs will snore during the day, and even louder when they’re sleeping.
Final Words
All dogs snore, but some snore louder than others. Pugs fall in this category because of their small airways.
Although the loud snoring is a result of obstruction, poor sleeping positions, dental issues, etc., that can be corrected, it’s not always the case.
There are other factors like age and genetics that can cause snoring that can’t be corrected.
However, by using the trips we shared, you can regulate the snoring.
Does your pug snore loudly?
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