Why Do Pugs Snore? – The Basics
Why do Pugs snore, you ask? Pug’s snoring is one of the things that unaware owners notice when they first watch their Pugs sleeping or napping. If you’re one of these owners, relax; this is completely normal in most cases. Pugs snore because of the way they’re built and you shouldn’t worry about this unless some other symptoms present. In this article you’ll find the answers to three common questions:
- Why do Pugs snore?
- Should I worry if my Pug snores?
- How can I fix or ease my Pug’s snoring?
On top of that, we’ll discuss a little bit about the common misconceptions that surround Pug’s snoring issues, and the truth behind those claims. When you finish reading this article you’ll know what to do, if you have to do something or if you just have to deal with your furball snore-machine. Let’s get into it!
The Kennel Club
Pugs are beautiful flat-faced dogs that are simply adorable. Their flat face is caused by a condition called Brachycephalic Syndrome, which affects several dog breeds and some cats. This condition occurs when the dog has a short muzzle, which causes some breathing issues that are rather common in all brachycephalic breeds.
This syndrome is the main cause of Pug’s snoring. Now, you must know that snoring itself is not at all fatal or uncomfortable for Pugs, it’s just how they are. They snore because they have an elongated soft palate, which is a soft tissue inside their mouths that is too big to fit their short skulls. This tissue is connected to their tongues, and it gets pushed back as they inhale, causing their characteristic snoring sounds. Most of the time this specific issue can’t be fixed, but some extreme and rare cases require surgery so the Pug can breathe normally.
In most cases, surgery is not required, and they can have a normal life with the syndrome. Another reason for their snoring is Stenotic Nares, which means they have really narrow nostrils. Still, this is can be fixed by a simple procedure and is mostly ruled out as they’re puppies when the vet checks them. You can also follow our guide on how to pick a Pug puppy and completely avoid the issue!
Should I worry if my Pug snores?
There’s a big debate always around this question. Our answer is also a divided one, but we have a few guidelines that you can use to know if you should worry or not.
You should worry if:
- If he gets Cyanosis or blue gums.
- Your Pug snores way too loud, to the point of waking himself up in the middle of his snoring.
- If he also breathes loudly, reverse sneezes, and has trouble breathing.
- If he gets tired too quickly without being obese.
All of these are red flags that you must pay attention to. If you notice any of that, you should take him to the vet immediately. RUN in case of Cyanosis!
If those things are not present, you shouldn’t worry, because there are some things that you can do to help your Pug with his snoring issues.
How to fix or ease Pug’s snoring?
Pug’s snoring is easy to deal with, but really hard to completely eliminate. It’s impossible to eliminate it in most cases, as it is caused by the shape of their skull. A few tips we can offer you are:
- Avoid obesity: Follow our tips on how to walk your Pug and get him the best Pug food to keep him lean. Those two paired together will eliminate your Pug’s belly in a matter of months, depending on how big he is. Another good way of fighting obesity is playing, so getting the best balls for Pugs is also a good idea.
- Adjust the temperature and humidity levels of your house: If it’s too cold, too hot, too humid or dry, your Pug’s snoring will get worse (without mentioning how uncomfortable he’ll be!). Try to keep his room or wherever he sleeps at a temperature of at least 68 °F or 20°C. During cold seasons, a humidifier will help, and a dehumidifier will help with hot ones.
- Clean his stuff and brush him like crazy! Whenever your Pug’s bed gets too covered with his own hair or dust, he’ll get allergies, which will increase his snoring issues immensely. Allergies get their soft palate engorged, which troubles their breathing even more. If you clean his bed constantly (every weekend or so) and keep shedding at bay with one of our selected Pug-friendly brushes, you will help ease his snoring quite a bit.
- Get the right bed: Having one of our selected Pug-friendly beds will help your Pug get comfortable and in a good position to ease his breathing.
You can also get a vet-approved antiallergic to fend off seasonal allergies. Still, those tips will be your best friends to ease your Pug’s breathing and snoring issues.
Common misconceptions
Some people believe that all of Pug’s snore. However, that’s not always the case. Some Pugs don’t actually develop a snoring issue until they’re adult, and some don’t even develop it at all. Why? Because of their sleeping position! Some Pugs naturally adopt a sleeping position that makes their snoring go away. Also, some Pugs that are slightly different from the standard don’t have this issue at all. This also happens with some Pug mixes that have a slightly longer snout.
Also, some Pugs develop this issue because there’s an unidentified allergen that you don’t notice is affecting them. Things like sand, dust, pollen, their own hair, their food, plastic bowls, and cleaning chemicals can be causing the issue. They are usually easy to identify because of other symptoms present. However, some allergens may cause mild allergies that simply present in the form of snoring, so you wouldn’t actually notice unless you’re paying attention closely!
Frequently Asked Questions – Why Do Pugs Snore?
Yes! Some Pugs don’t have snoring issues at all when they’re puppies, but they get them when they get older. It’s also normal for adult Pugs to develop snoring when they enter seniority, especially if you don’t change their diet and you get a little bit obese Pug. Still, you can try some of the fixes above to see if it goes away again!
Well, that depends totally on you. Pugs are great dogs, not perfect ones! In fact, we can say that there’s not a single perfect breed. For us, it’s ok for them to snore, because they’re convenient in many other ways. Their snores will become a soothing sound whenever you get home and hear it if you truly love them. At least you know they’re having a loud refreshing nap, and that’s a peaceful thought for most of us!
Conclusion
Why do Pugs snore? Because they love to sleep! Some Pugs simply sleep anywhere, which may cause them to adopt a weird position or some allergen that’s specifically where they decided to sleep. That’s why some owners notice that they only snore when they sleep directly on the floor and don’t even have the issue if they sleep on their bed. Still, Pug’s will follow you everywhere, and will probably take naps around you.
What’s the easiest way of dealing with this? Well, get used to it! If you didn’t want a snoring dog, getting a lovely Pug was probably not a good idea in the first place.
So, is your Pug a snore-machine too?
