Five Ways to Deal with a Snoring Dog

Does your dog snore? Many pet owners moan and groan about losing sleep because their canine companions curl up next to them and begin sawing wood, so to speak, with open-mouthed snoring.

Usually, snoring does not harm a dog in any way, although it may certainly impact the sleep of those around him.

As a loving pet owner, how can you keep your dog from snoring all night and keeping you awake? You can't exactly stick no-snore tapes on your Malamute's muzzle or your Spaniel's snout. But several solutions exist for coping with dogs that breathe noisily in their sleep.

Try these five pointers for silencing a snoring pooch.

1. Don't let your snoring dog sleep in your bed.

Sure, nothing's cozier than curling up in a warm bed with a friendly four-legged heating pad. On the other hand, a snoring dog can disrupt your own sleeping habits. If this happens, your first recourse is to boot your Basset Hound, or remove your Retriever, from your own bed.

Teach the dog to sleep on the floor, so you can catch 40 winks of your own.

2. Give your dog his own round bed or basket for sleeping.

Like humans, canines who sleep on their backs, or sprawled out all over, tend to snore more than those who curl up on one side. Offer your Dane or Dachshund a comfortable round pet bed, a cushioned basket or a soft upholstered chair, you may be surprised at how rested you will both find yourselves in the morning.

3. Put your snoring dog on a diet.

Obesity often leads to snoring, even for dogs. If your dog is overweight, you can improve his health and your own sleep cycles by cutting his calories. Switch your Setter or Beagle toa low-fat dog food, and stop giving him table scraps or leftovers.

Generally speaking, a dog is considered obese, if his weight exceeds recommended levels by 20 percent or more.

You and your dog will both sleep better, if you add some outdoor exercise to your daily schedule. An extra walk around the block after dinner, for example, might improve both your sleeping habits.

4. Try to rule out potential allergies that might cause your dog's snoring.

Allergies can cause respiratory problems in dogs, including post-nasal drip that may lead to snoring. Check your snoring dog's nose for signs of sniffles to see if allergies might be the culprit.

Tree pollen, grass and tobacco smoke are particularly prevalent allergies among dogs. You may be able to help your pet considerably, if you stop smoking. Try using a humidifier as well.

5. Visit the vet, if your dog continues to snore.

Occasionally, dogs may have diagnosable medical conditions that cause them to snore. Throat polyps are a prime example, and these can be surgically removed. A veterinarian can diagnose these or other health problems that may be related to your dog's snoring.

Certain canine breeds are most prone to snoring as well. Flat-faced dogs tend to snore more than others. These include Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pekinese and Pugs,

These five strategies may help you cope with your dog's snoring, or perhaps eliminate the noisy nuisance altogether. However, some dogs simply persist in snoring, no matter what try, just like roommates or spouses. Eventually, you may simply have to place your pet in another room, so you can catch a few Z's.

You can always love on your snoring dog in the morning, when you are both rested and refreshed.

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Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of experience and a globally-minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor.