Dogs with tiny muzzles look super cute, but these attributes can cause them a lot of trouble. Probably the most common ones are breathing issues led by snoring and snorting. And Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the breeds that can be quite loud while sleeping.
However, snoring doesn’t always indicate a health issue, especially if your pet has been snoring ever since. But if you’ve noticed these sounds recently, maybe you should investigate your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel snoring problems.
In this article, we’ll talk about common reasons for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel snoring problems and five tips on preventing it.
Why Does My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Snore?
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has snored since puppyhood, it’s an inherited condition that’ll likely last forever, so you just have to use to it.
Still, loud breathing sleeping sounds aren’t always because of a short muzzle. Many things can make your pup breathe heavily and snuffle while sleeping.
Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome
Dogs with tiny noses and compressed upper jaws have Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (so-called BAOS). It’s not a disease but a congenital anomaly characterized by narrow nostrils and loose soft palates.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a brachiocephalic breed with this defect related to their upper airways. They have narrow breathing passages and excess tissues interrupting airflow in the upper airway.
All these can prevent airway through your Cavalier’s throat, thus causing breathing stoppage and snoring.
Pups with BAOS often make snorting or growling sounds while awake, and they breathe loudly, usually with their mouths open. But the good thing is that this developmental defect won’t hurt your Cavy as long as it doesn’t trigger other disorders.
Allergies
Like humans, dogs can also be sensitive to substances in their environment. So if you notice that your pup is a loud sleeper only in particular periods, for example, in spring or autumn, you can suspect that allergies are the cause.
Allergens from the air can lead to sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and hard breathing that eventually causes snoring.
In general, dogs can be allergic to various things, but the ones that cause them to snore are dust, mold spores, mites, smoke, and pollen.
These things can trigger severe allergies in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Since they have long, dense fur, allergens can get stuck there and cause constant irritation of the airways and snoring problems.
Related: When do Cavalier Puppies Calm?
Colds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels aren’t fans of winter. They can’t stand the low temperatures, and their short muzzles and respiratory tracts are susceptible to respiratory infections, which usually occur during cold days.
Cavies with a weak or undeveloped natural defense system against diseases can catch a cold easily. These are puppies, senior pups, and dogs with comorbidities that further weaken their immunity.
If your dog has a cold, the first thing you’ll probably notice is a runny nose and sneezing. These symptoms lead to airways irritation, swelling, and prevention of normal airflow.
When awake, your Cavy with cold may breathe loudly and snort, while snoring is inevitable during sleep.
Obesity
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are active dogs but prone to get fat, especially when they get older. And excess weight is a potential cause of many health conditions.
Snoring is just one of them. Fat deposits that accumulate on the Cavaliers’ neck are especially problematic, as they directly cause breathing issues.
Simply put, fat that builds up under the skin and around the organs can compress your Cavy’s airways and cause snoring.
However, this narrowing of the airways causes not only the appearance of irritating sounds but also severe breathing problems, which can lead to sleep apnea and other diseases.
Age
Many owners notice that their Cavaliers begin to snore as they get older. The reason may be weight gain due to reduced activity or illness or the odd sleeping position in which your dog adjusts to sleeping more comfortably.
Also, as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels age, the mucous membrane in their throats loosens. The vibrations during the airflow create that unpleasant sound known as snoring.
You can probably even hear your senior Cavy snoring while awake.
In some cases, larynx paralysis can cause snoring. This condition weakens larynx muscles, which will cause snoring and a change in your pet’s “voice.” And that’s one of the causes of snoring problems that should definitely be checked out.
Sleeping Position
As with humans, the position in which your Cavy sleep can affect the occurrence of snoring. For example, it often happens when they lie on their backs.
Although usual Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’ sleeping habits include tummy sleeping position, they can, however, roll onto their backs and start breaking sound waves.
When your Cavy is lying on its back, gravity does its thing, and the mucous membrane in your dog’s throat relaxes and puts pressure on the throat.
Due to these obstacles, the air can’t pass, thus triggering vibrations and those typical snoring sounds.
How to Stop Cavalier King Charles Snoring: 5 Tips
If you can’t listen to your Cavalier sawing logs, here’s what you can do.
Provide Comfy Bed for Your Dog
Dogs can sleep anywhere – on your lap, bed, on the floor, etc. Still, you should get them used to their beds so that both you and they can have a peaceful sleep and wake up rested. Also, that’s important for snoring control.
I personally use a memory foam orthopedic dog bed for my Cavy.
It’s a high-quality bed with raised edges on which dogs can rest their heads and thus free the upper airways. For extra comfort, you can also put a pillow there.
Dogs’ beds should be clean and uncluttered. Luckily this bed machine washable removable cover, which makes things much easier.
Also, avoid letting your Cavy pile toys in their cribs because they are also suitable places where dust, mites, and allergens collect.
Change Their Sleep Position
If your Cavalier has no breathing issues, maybe the snoring trigger is the position in which they sleep. To begin with, pay attention to how your pup naps.
Are they on their backs with heads or lower than body level? That’s the posture that certainly interferes with normal breathing during sleep, which is why snoring occurs.
In that case, the solution is a simple change of sleeping position.
Your Cavy should sleep on the side. In this position, the pressure on the throat is reduced.
And if your pet continues to turn onto the back, prevent it by placing a pillow or a rolled blanket behind them.
Use a Humidifier
Dry air can cause dry throats in dogs. If the air humidity in the room where your Cavalier stays are low, it can cause snoring.
My go-to is the Pure Enrichment air humidifier, which is great not only good for pets but also for babies and indoor plants.
Plus, if you smoke indoors, that can also be a potential allergy trigger, which can be an added irritation to their sensitive airways.
Getting an air purifier and humidifier can be a solution to your Cavalier King Charles snoring problems.
Besides increasing the level of moisture in the air, this handy device cleans the air, freeing it of allergens and tobacco smoke, which are probably one of the reasons why your Cavy breaks sound waves.
Healthy Nutrition and More Exercise
If you can’t resist the pleading puppy eyes looking for food, you should know you’re not doing them a favor.
On the contrary, all those treats and snacks lead to weight gain, which causes snoring. And not only that, but also more severe health issues.
So you have to help your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lose some weight. You can do that with a proper diet rich in fiber and proteins, high-quality foods, and homemade meals.
Of course, you should also cut their snacks and increase activity levels following your pup’s age and health condition. An occasional treat won’t hurt, but you have to control their intake in your Cavy.
See a Vet
A visit to the vet can answer many questions, and you should do that if snoring suddenly appears in your Cavalier.
Also, seeing a vet is necessary if the snoring is too loud or when your pet has other symptoms of upper airway obstruction.
Your vet will ask you questions to make a more accurate diagnosis of your Cavy’s snoring problem.
It’s a good idea to record your pet while sleeping, as it can answer many questions. If the cause of your dog’s snoring is an illness or a syndrome, be sure to follow professional advice for at-home care and prescribed medication dosage.
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