Why Do Pitbulls Snore? 8 Causes and Their Solutions

Snoring is a loud breathy noise caused by the vibration of the soft tissues in the throat and mouth when there is an interference or obstruction. It’s a natural occurrence in both humans and dogs.

Some dog breeds, like Pitbulls, are more prone to snoring because of their anatomy or because of a more severe health condition. So, why do Pitbulls snore?

Pit Bulls mainly snore because they have short muzzles and small nostrils. This causes them to have narrower airways which makes it harder to move air in and out. Other causes for snoring include obstruction, improper sleeping position, infections, allergies, dental problems, fungal diseases, medication, and obesity.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of snoring in Pitbulls, when to be concerned, and how to reduce your Pit Bull’s snoring.

Do Pitbulls Snore?

Pit Bulls do snore. In fact, they are more prone to snoring than other dog breeds because they’re a brachycephalic breed meaning they have flat faces, short muzzles, and partially or fully blocked nostrils.

Their airways are narrower, and their tongues are bigger compared to the size of their mouth. So, there’s not enough room in the dog’s throat and mouth, which makes it harder for the air to get in and out without some interference or obstruction.

Why Do Pitbulls Snore?

As mentioned before, Pit Bulls are prone to snoring due to their anatomy. However, there are some cases where it could be a result of a more severe health condition.

It’s very important, as a Pit Bull owner, to understand other causes of snoring in order to ensure that your dog is perfectly healthy.

So, let’s take a closer look at some of the common causes of snoring in Pit Bull:

Obesity

One of the major causes of snoring in Pit Bulls is obesity. That is because overweight dogs have a large amount of fat deposited around the throat areas, which can cause the dog’s airway to narrow significantly, making it more prone to snoring.

To treat this kind of condition, you need to consult a vet or a nutritionist about the best diet plan for your dog to keep it at a healthy weight.

Obstruction in the Airway

Any obstruction or temporary blockage in your Pit Bull’s throat, mouth, or nostrils will make it harder for air to get in and out, which causes the dog to snore. The first sign of an obstruction in the airway will be your Pit Bull’s heavy breathing.

This obstruction can be caused by any foreign materials getting stuck in your dog’s airway or by a build-up of mucous due to respiratory infections.

To treat this kind of condition, you need to take your Pit Bull to the vet to determine what’s causing the obstruction and how to clear it out.

Improper Sleeping Position

Some sleeping positions will cause dogs to snore more excessively than usual, especially with brachycephalic breeds like Pit Bulls.

For example, if your Pit Bull tends to sleep on its back, its tongue will be larger than what its mouth can accommodate, so it will partially block its throat and significantly restrict the airflow.

This could also put your dog at a higher risk of choking while it’s asleep, so make sure to monitor your dog’s sleeping position and adjust it if necessary.

You may want your dog to sleep in the same room as you to monitor it properly, and you can learn more about sleeping with your Pit Bull in the same room here.

Infections

Pit Bulls are prone to develop various respiratory problems and infections, which will cause some inflammation in the dog’s throat and mouth as well as a build-up of mucous. This will lead to an obstruction in the dog’s airway, which results in excessive snoring.

To treat this kind of condition, you need to take your dog to a vet to determine the cause of the infection and get the necessary medication to relieve the symptoms.

Allergies

Pit Bulls are also prone to develop allergies to dust, pollen, and dander which will cause inflammation in the dog’s airway. This will make it more difficult for them to breathe and will ultimately result in excessive snoring.

To treat this kind of condition, you need to keep the dog away from any irritants that will trigger its allergy. You also need to take your dog to a vet to get the necessary medication to relieve the symptoms.

Dental Problems

Dental problems such as gum infections, tartar buildup, or abscessed teeth can cause Pit Bulls to snore as they lead to inflammation in the dog’s mouth and nostrils which will obstruct its airway.

Make sure to regularly check your dog’s mouth for signs of dental problems such as brown teeth, red swollen gums, or bleeding.

If you notice symptoms, you need to take your dog to a vet to determine what’s causing the problem and how to treat it properly.

Fungal Diseases

Some fungal diseases, such as aspergillosis, can cause Pit Bulls to snore excessively due to inflammation and obstruction in the dog’s airway. They also cause other symptoms like nasal discharge, swelling, and sneezing.

These diseases are mainly triggered by overexposure to fungus coming from mold, grass clippings, dust, straw, or hay. The fungus will enter the dog’s airway through its nostrils and continue to spread and grow in the dog’s throat.

To treat this kind of condition, you need to keep the dog away from any triggers. You also need to take your dog to a vet to get the necessary medication to relieve the symptoms.

Medications

Some pain relievers and other types of medication can make your Pit Bull’s throat more relaxed, which often causes it to snore excessively.

You need to consult with a vet regarding the right dosage of these medications and whether changing the dosage would reduce the dog’s snoring.

How to Reduce Your Pitbull’s Snoring?

Pit Bulls will always be prone to snore due to their anatomy, and there’s really no way you can stop them from snoring completely. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your dog’s excessive snoring, depending on what’s causing it.

So, let’s take a closer look at the things you can do to reduce your Pitbull’s snoring.

Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight

You need to help your dog maintain a healthy weight by improving its diet and establishing a regular exercise routine.

Make sure that your dog is only eating the appropriate amount of calories for its size and energy levels and that its food contains all the nutrients that its body needs to remain healthy.

Also, make sure that your Pit Bull is exercising for at least 30 minutes every day to burn off calories and any excess fat in its body. You can learn more about how much exercise Pit Bulls need here.

Minimize Your Dog’s Exposure to Irritants

You need to minimize your dog’s exposure to any irritants that would trigger allergic reactions, infections, or fungal diseases. These irritants include dust, dander, pollen, mold, grass clippings, straw, hay as well as smoke coming from cigarettes or cars.

You also need to clean your carpets frequently and the dog’s bedding, avoid smoking with your dog in the room, and try to take it on walks on routes away from heavy traffic.

Adjust Your Dog Sleeping Position

You need to adjust your dog’s sleeping position and make sure it doesn’t always sleep on its back.

You can do that by getting your dog around or oval-shaped bed, which will encourage your dog to sleep curled up or lying on its belly. You can also use a soft pillow to prop up your dog’s head and paw while it’s sleeping.

If you’re not sure which dog bed to get, check out my guide on the best beds for Pit Bulls for some recommendations.

Use an Air Humidifier or Purifier

You need to use an air humidifier or purifier in the room where your dog sleeps, as this will help reduce any irritants in the air. It will also help clean your dog’s airways and make breathing relatively easier.

You don’t need something super expensive for this, I use the very affordable AquaOasis humidifier, and it works great.

Monitor Your Dog for Any Signs of Health Problems

You need to monitor your dog’s health and be on the lookout for any signs of health problems, including respiratory problems, allergies, infections, dental problems, fungal disease, etc.

If you notice any sign of a health problem, make sure to take your dog to a vet immediately to get the required treatment before the problem escalates any further.

When to Consult a Vet About Your Pitbull’s Snoring?

It’s important to have a good understanding of the common causes of snoring in Pit Bulls in order to determine whether your dog’s snoring is normal or whether it’s suffering from a more severe health problem.

You need to consult a vet about your Pit Bull’s snoring if it had never snored before and suddenly started snoring or if its snoring is becoming more and more excessive without any apparent cause, as this might be a sign of an underlying problem.

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