Your Boston Terrier is an amazing little friend. They are so full of energy and love that it’s easy to panic when they lay down, and… well, ‘start sawing logs’ seems an appropriate description. So, why do Boston Terriers snore like that? Is this something that you need to worry about?
Today we’re going to give you the scoops on your dog’s snores. We’ll give you the ‘why’ of it, as well as what you can do to help minimize the snoring. Finally, we’ll give you some tips so that you can know when it might be a cause for worry.
Let’s talk about Boston Terriers and their noisy little sleep cycles!
Table of Contents
Why Do Boston Terriers Snore?
Boston Terriers snore all the time when they rest. It’s kind of something that you get used to with the breed, but why is that always the case? We’ve compiled a list below of the primary reasons why your dog snores as well as some contributing factors that might make them snore a little heavier than usual.
Boston Terriers Are Brachycephalic
First off, you can relax a little. Snoring is indeed something that just comes with the breed. All Boston Terriers have a condition called Brachycephaly. It’s just a fancy way of saying that they have small airways to go with their flat noses and their elongated palates.
Bulldogs and Pugs have the same condition, with their cute little flattened faces. As a result, all 3 of these breeds are prone to snoring, and they also have a tendency to snuffle and snort. It just comes with the territory.
Sometimes Snoring Can Be From Allergies
Just because your Boston Terrier snores all the time doesn’t mean that there might not be an underlying issue. If you notice that your dog is snoring more heavily when spring comes, for instance, then it could be related to allergies. You should also consider if any new foods have been introduced recently.
Thankfully, your vet can run a series of tests to rule this out if you think that your dog might be allergic to some local pollens.
Snoring Can Come From Obstruction In The Airways
Dogs love to chew, and when you’ve got a dog that’s excitable like a Boston Terrier, there is always the chance that a small piece of something that they are chewing ends up in their airway. Listen for a little wheezing in-between those snores, as this can be a telltale sign that your dog might have inhaled something besides air.
If you hear this, then you should take your dog to the vet, as the object could always come loose and create a more dangerous obstruction.
Smoking Around Your Boston Terrier Can Contribute To Heavier Snoring
If you smoke around your pet, then this can contribute to their snoring. Some dogs don’t seem to mind if you smoke (though it’s still not good for them), while others are a bit sensitive to it. You’ll generally notice.
If your dog has a tendency to wander off to find something to do after you light a cigarette, then this might be a sign that they are sensitive to it, and you should consider the occasional smoke outside to see if it helps with their heavy snoring.
Obesity Can Contribute To How Much Your Terrier Snores
When your Terrier looks up with those adorable eyes and licks their lips at you and your dinner, it’s almost impossible not to share. Some of us even cook up a special portion for them so that evening dinners and lunches may be shared.
This is okay, though you need to be careful about their calories. Avoid cooking with salts and fats, for instance, and keep portions small. Also, you may want to see what kind of calories are in their kibble servings. Obesity can and often does contribute to heavy snoring and a number of health issues that you really want to avoid.
If you can’t help yourself when your dog is begging so cutely, consider a compromise. A trip or two for a swim every week gives your dog a low-impact workout that can burn a lot of calories. Just get a doggy life-vest and supervise closely, as Brachycephalic dogs tire out more quickly than other breeds, and you don’t want your dog swallowing water.
How Can You Reduce Your Boston Terriers Snoring?
We’ve established that snoring is pretty much going to happen. With that in mind, you might not know that there are actually a few things which you can do to minimize it so that everyone gets a full night’s sleep. Try one or more of the tips below to see if it helps, and you might be pleasantly surprised!
Make Your Environment Super-clean
Daily vacuuming is a good idea, whether your dog is snoring heavily or not. Dust mites and pollens can accumulate quickly, and a little extra cleaning is a great way to nip this in the bud. Check with your vet to see which air fresheners are ideal, as well, because many on the market smell good, but they might not sit well with your dog.
Finally, consider a Hepa-grade air filter to go with a humidifier so that your air is being constantly filtered of troublesome contaminants such as smoking, dust mites, stray pollen, and more. Your dog might well snore less, and you’ll notice the difference as well. Typically, we get so used to pollens and dust that we just suffer and don’t think about it.
With a good humidifier and a Hepa grade filter, you can get lab-like conditions for the air inside your house, and it’s well worth the investment for both you and your dog.
Consider 2 Beds To Keep Things Cleaner
Your dog’s bed gets dusty and dirty, and that’s just a fact of life. A regular cleaning schedule can help, and you can make it a little easier on yourself by investing in a spare bed. With two beds, you can alternate them between cleanings, and this buys you a little time while still providing your little one with a fresh, clean bed.
Give Your Dog A Pillow To Elevate His Or Her Head
A pillow can also help your Boston Terrier with snoring. Simply elevating your dog’s head while they are sleeping can often make a world of difference. People who snore often do the same thing, so why not also try it for your dog? It looks adorable, it’s quite practical, and most dogs love having a pillow of their own.
Give this a try, and you’ll see for yourself!
Round-shaped Beds Encourage Better Sleeping Habits
Sometimes your Terrier’s natural tendency to snore is made worse by the way that they are sleeping. If your dog likes to sleep on its belly, try giving them a round bed to encourage them to sleep on its sides. Sleeping like this reduces their chances of snoring and helps to lower the volume a little bit if they end up snoring anyway.
Keep Activity Down On Hot Days
Another side-effect of being Brachycephalic is that exercise outside on hot days can induce all kinds of sounds from your dog, with heavy snoring among them. When it’s hot outside, try to make the potty breaks brief and keep playtime to the shade. Have plenty of water for your Boston Terrier to keep cool and avoid any games that involve excess running.
Smoke Outside When You Can
Smoking outside or in the garage might help with heavy snoring and is worth trying for at least a week to see. While it might not be the reason that your dog is snoring, taking a test week can help you to determine if you are inadvertently making things worse. It’s optional, of course, but definitely worth thinking about for keeping your dog happy and healthy.
When Is Snoring The Sign Of Something More Serious?
While snoring is the norm, there are still going to be cases where it could be a sign of something more serious. Thankfully, we love our Boston Terriers, and so we tend to notice whenever anything seems to be outside of the norm in their behavior.
Use the tips below to help determine when your dog’s snoring might be a little out of the ordinary and warrant some further investigation.
Sudden Snoring Is Seldom A Good Thing
When your dog is suddenly snoring, and they weren’t previously, or if it’s suddenly much heavier than before, this is generally a sign that it’s time for a vet visit. There are a number of things that can cause this. Heart disease, respiratory problems, allergies, and more, so it’s well worth a checkup whenever your dog’s sleeping noises change dramatically.
When Snoring Increases During A Particular Season Then It May Be Allergies
Does your dog snore more at particular times of the year? That’s a big red flag that your dog might have allergies. Some quick testing at the vet can help to rule this out. Food allergies are also another possibility, so if your dog is snoring more heavily after eating new food, see how they do without eating that food the next day.
In cases like this, your vet can generally prescribe medications that can help with your dog’s breathing and minimize that heavy snoring.
When You Believe That Obesity Is Contributing To Their Snoring
If your dog is getting a little plump and is resistant to your attempts to get them to exercise more, they might be a little depressed and a little too obese. A vet visit can help, as your vet can advise you on a better diet to help your little one get into better shape.
Usually, they’ll have some special kibble on hand that you can use, and they’ll advise you to lay off or to minimize the treats for a while. Don’t worry; the time will go faster than you think, and you’ll be able to spoil your dog again soon!
Want To Train Your Boston Terrier With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your Boston Terrier properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Boston Terrier completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Some Closing Words On Boston Terriers And Their Snoring
Today we’ve discussed the reasons why your Boston Terrier might be snoring, as well as some potential ways to help and what to look for in case it is something more serious. While it can be health-related, with Boston Terriers, we cannot stress enough that a good bit of snoring is part and parcel of owning one of these dogs.
Unless it is occurring all of a sudden, the odds are heavily leaned to a simple fact. Boston Terriers snore, and you’ll have to get used to it!
