Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Reasons Why Dogs Snore

By Rod Jones

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some point, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other breed of animal. However, this doesn't mean to say that some people do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is made easier too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather much like our own. Dogs usually have complete trust in their masters, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog goes into this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be roused from sleep completely.

I'm sure, lots of us have already witnessed a dog 'running' during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For example, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.

Some people find that dogs that snore are rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various reasons why dogs snore, although most have to do with the blocking of the passage of air in the throat, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with human beings.

A dog that snores very loudly should be examined for different issues to see which treatment could be best applied. Some dogs are especially susceptible to some allergies that can cause constriction in the windpipe. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best for a veterinarian to check out different factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and physical symptoms in general.

Maybe, your dog is overweight. As with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore during the night. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue that hangs around the throat which can potentially cause the obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy nights of restful sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have squashed faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with the flu, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. However, be certain that, before you take any decision, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop your dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to follow the recommendations offered by your veterinary doctor.

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