Why Does My Dog Snort Like A Pig

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Does your dog sometimes snort? Do you wonder whether it is a normal thing to do or whether it has a problem that might need the expert advice of a vet?

Dogs make amazing and adorable friends, but sometimes they do certain things that throw us off. One such thing is the occasional snorting sounds they make that may or may not be alarming. However, if you find yourself asking out aloud or wondering, “Why does my dog snort like a pig?” you should find answers and the following factors might help you.

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Why the Dog Snorts

1.Reverse Sneezing

When a dog snorts once, it should not be too much of a concern, but if it does it repeatedly, there is reason to be wary, especially if it’s a behavior picked up suddenly. Sometimes oinking, grunting, or snorting is reverse sneezing, mostly caused by soft palate irritation and throat muscle spasms.

In this case, the dog breathes too much air that it cannot handle comfortably through the nose, leading to the neck stretching out, chest expanding, and trachea narrowing.

Combining all these becomes overwhelming for the dog, leading to alarming sounds like snorting, grunting, wheezing, or coughing. The noises are distressing, or they might seem that way, but your dog is not in any danger in the majority of the cases.

2.Type of Breed

Dog snorting is also a part of life for some dog breeds, especially those with pushed-in faces such as the brachycephalic breed, the Bulldog, Shih Tzu, the Pug, Pekingese, and others. The one thing these breeds have in common is broad flat-shaped wide skulls. Their tracheas are narrower than those of other dog breeds, and they have nasal passages with smaller openings, with longer and softer palates.

The pushed-in face dog breeds have much higher chances of getting respiratory illnesses because of their skull, nasal, and facial structures. The illnesses include pneumonia, respiratory distress, and overheating.

When these dog breeds exert themselves into intensive exercising, their breathing becomes noisy, especially during the warm weather. Excitement also leads to snorting while they snore when asleep. Severe abnormality of their airways leads to coughing, gagging, or vomiting.

3.Allergies

Allergies could also make the dog start snorting like a pig. They could also make the same noises if they have nasal mites, infections, or a foreign object stuck in the nose, such as a grass blade.

4.Obesity

Weight gain could also lead to difficulty breathing, which in turn might make your dog snort.

What to Do If Your Dog Starts Snorting Like a Pig

• If your dog does not belong to the breeds with pushed-in faces and suddenly starts snorting, it could be going through early signs of a nasal infection. If it does not stop after a while, you should contact the vet for an appointment. Chances are it could have something stuck on the nasal canal or trachea. Further tests that might include x-rays and probably minor surgery will help clear the air.
• You should also check the surroundings for any allergens, especially if the dog sneezes, has wet eyes, and snorts. Allergens most common causes are pollen, dust, smoke, and perfumes. Weather changes could also make the dog have labored breathing, leading to sneezing and snorting.
• During the cold weather, keep your dog in warm conditions. During the warm weather, ensure that the room temperature stays at controlled levels, and the ventilation is good enough for you and the dog.
• If your dog gains excessive weight and finds it difficult to breathe, you should check the diet and reduce it if possible take the dog for regular exercises to cut down on the weight and free the airways.
• Instead of using a collar when walking the dog with snorting issues, use a harness to minimize pressure on the neck.

Wrapping It Up

In so many ways, dogs are like humans. We get occasional breathing problems and make funny noises due to nasal blockages. Some of the causes could be allergens, cold temperatures, humidity, foreign objects into or noses and more. Sometimes a dog snorts as a way of sneezing. Other times, it could be due to a much bigger problem.

Whatever the case, you should monitor the snorting and take the dog to a vet if it concerns you or if it goes on for longer than expected. Remember that, an environment that does not suit you, might not suit your dog as well.

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by Jane Brody via Pets Tutorial