Why does my dog do that?
Why does my dog snore when it sleeps?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Snoring in dogs comes from the same basic cause as in people, vibration of relaxed soft tissue in the throat and airway as air moves past during sleep, and it is especially common in flat faced breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs whose airway shape naturally narrows more than longer muzzled breeds. Occasional, consistent snoring is usually harmless.
Why some breeds snore more
Brachycephalic breeds, those with shortened muzzles like Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus, have a compressed airway structure that narrows the passage air travels through, making snoring, snorting, and other noisy breathing far more common even in an otherwise healthy dog of that type.
Weight and sleeping position
Extra weight around the neck and throat area, along with sleeping flat on the back, both increase the chance of snoring across any breed, similar to how these same factors affect snoring in people, so a dog carrying a bit of extra weight may snore noticeably less once back at a healthy body condition.
When snoring is worth mentioning
New, louder snoring that develops suddenly, especially with visible effort to breathe, gagging sounds, or pauses in breathing followed by a snort or gasp, is worth raising with a vet, particularly in flat faced breeds already prone to airway restriction.
Key takeaways
- Snoring comes from vibrating soft tissue in the airway, just as it does in people.
- Flat faced breeds snore far more often due to their compressed airway shape.
- Extra weight and sleeping on the back both increase snoring likelihood.
- Sudden, louder snoring with visible breathing effort deserves a vet check.