Without a doubt, dogs can be so annoying with the kind of noises they make at times. You may be playing with your pup and having a nice time; then, out of nowhere, your pup starts to sound like a pig; you may be left wondering: why do dogs make pig noises?
Dogs make pig noises when the muscles of their throats go into a spasm, and their soft palate becomes irritated. They also make pig noises when breathing in too much air. Dogs with a collapsed trachea also make more pig noises, especially in smaller dogs.
In this article, we’ll be examining the reasons dogs make pig noises and other common perturbing sounds. We’ll also analyze in detail how to stop reverse sneezing in dogs.
Reasons Your Dog Makes Pig Noises
There is no smoke without fire; there are reasons why dogs make pig noises. The following are the few reasons why dogs make such awkward noises:
Reverse Sneezing
Reverse sneezing occurs in dogs when the throat muscles and the soft palate go into forceful spasms. When this happens, the dog would have no other choice than to breathe in air through the nose. When dogs breathe in excess air through the nose, they begin to make pig noises.
Collapsed Trachea
A trachea serves as the passageway for air to enter the lungs. When a part of the trachea collapses or gets blocked in dogs, it becomes difficult for them to take in the air. When the airway is blocked, it leads to honking and grunting.
Brachycephalic Breeds
Certain breeds of dogs are known to make pig noises more than others. Breeds such as English Bull Mastiff, Chow Chows, and Pugs are examples of brachycephalic breeds. They have flat faces, short noses, and small throats. Due to their anatomical makeup, taking in enough air becomes difficult for them; they tend to produce many pig noises.
Tumors
Dogs make pig noises when there’s a nasal tumor obstructing airflow. The most common symptom of nasal tumor growth in dogs is nasal discharge. The discharge is usually bloody. Nasal tumors most times affect older dogs and middle-aged ones.
Heart Disease
Heart disease in dogs can cause them to make pig noises. A weak heart will automatically cause a build-up of fluids in the lungs of dogs. When there is a build-up of fluids in the lungs, dogs won’t have the ability to take in enough oxygen. When this happens, they will start gasping for air, coughing, and retching.
Why Does My Dog Make Grunting Noises
Your dog makes grunting noises when he is happy and content. It is not uncommon for a pup to grunts while eating his favorite treat.
On the other hand, excessive grunting by your dog might mean he has some sorts of discomfort with respiratory illness. While grunting is quite normal in dogs, if your pup does it excessively, it means something is entirely wrong with him.
Why Does My Dog Grunt When I Hug Him
Your dog grunts when he is hugged because he finds hugging to be threatening and uncomfortable. The truth is, most dogs don’t enjoy being hugged. If you pay close attention, you will notice a dog would typically turn its head away and lick its lips while hugging a human.
These are signs he is not enjoying the warm affection you are trying to offer. Instead of hugging your pup, rubbing his back would be enough for him.
Why Does My Dog Grunt When Happy
Dogs grunt when they are happy because grunting is a way for them to express their joy and happiness. Humans make noises when they are happy; dogs likewise do the same. Unfortunately, we can’t fully understand the language of our canine friends.
What Does It Mean When A Dog Snorts Repeatedly
When a dog snorts repeatedly, it may be an indication of a severe sinus or viral infection. When a dog snorts occasionally, it is usually nothing serious. But when it becomes a regular thing for your pup, it may be time to pay a visit to your vet.
Why Does My Dog Snort Like He Can’t Breathe
Your dog does this because dirt and particles are irritating the throat and causing obstruction to the flow of air. If this condition becomes chronic in your pup, it may be a sign your dog is suffering from allergies, infection, sinusitis, and nasal mites. When you observe any of these signs, do not delay in visiting your vet.
How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Reverse Sneezing
One of the effective ways to stop reverse sneezing is to massage the throat of your pup and gently hold his nostrils in a closed position for a second or two. Another proven method is to blow a puff of air into your dog’s face. This helps in breaking the cycle of repetitive inhalation that is associated with reverse sneezing.
Additional Thoughts
If you own a dog, you would know an episode of reverse sneezing can be scary; you might start to think your dog is unable to breathe or in grave danger.
Reverse sneezing is also known as inspiratory paroxysmal respiration. It is caused by spasms occurring at the back of the throats of dogs. However, reverse sneezing in dogs usually doesn’t require any treatment.
Snorting is another awkward noise that dogs commonly make. Snorting most times happens when something is obstructing the nasal passage of your pup as a result of infection, inhaled particles, or mass. If the snorting doesn’t stop within a short period, a visit to the vet will become necessary.
If your dog is snorting and you observe that his eyes are soggy at the same time, allergens might be the cause of snorting for your dog. Just like humans, dogs are also very sensitive to changes in humidity, temperature, and smoke.
Remember when you’re feeling uncomfortable with the prevailing weather condition; most likely, your dog is also feeling the same way.
If your dog regularly snorts, you should not make it worse as a dog owner by using collars instead of harnesses when walking your dog. Collars tend to put pressure on the neck of dogs which tends to worsen snorting.
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