If someone was asked to describe a dog, \u201cquiet\u201d is probably not one of the first adjectives they would use (if at all). A myriad of noises escape from a dog\u2019s front end and back end, but what causes them? We\u2019ll go over some of the weird noises that your dog can make and which sounds you should have checked out by your veterinarian.<\/p>\n
One of the scariest noises a pet parent can hear coming from their dog is choking. Since it\u2019s caused by an obstructed airway, it\u2019s a distressing situation for both your dog and you. The AKC explains that you can tell the difference between coughing and choking<\/a> by looking at your dog\u2019s skin and mucous membranes \u2014 if they\u2019re blue, it\u2019s likely that your dog has something lodged in their airway. They may also be pawing at their muzzle, drooling, gagging and rubbing their face on the floor.<\/p>\n You can learn how to help a dog that\u2019s choking in the AKC article about the Heimlich for dogs<\/a>. Even if your dog recovers from choking without veterinary aid, it\u2019s important to have them checked out by a veterinarian in case their airway or another body part was damaged.<\/p>\n If your dog coughs a couple of times and then stops, they probably just had a tickle in their throat. But if they are coughing for more than a day, it\u2019s time to have them examined by your veterinarian. And if your dog is coughing violently, has difficulty breathing or has blue-gray colored gums, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.<\/p>\n Chronic coughing can be caused by a number of conditions, including allergies, heart disease, heartworm<\/a>, a collapsing trachea, tumors or asthma<\/a> (allergic bronchitis). It could also be due to a contagious disease like canine influenza<\/a> or kennel cough. If your dog has kennel cough, an extremely contagious viral infection, their cough may have a honking sound to it. The good news is that if kennel cough is treated early, there are usually no long-term effects.<\/p>\n Ever been kept awake by a snoring dog? They can be loud! Snoring is usually caused by a partial blockage in your dog\u2019s upper airways (nose, pharynx or throat). When your dog is in a deep sleep, the tissues of the upper airways are fully relaxed and can vibrate audibly during breathing \u2014 making the snoring sounds.<\/p>\n Snoring has many causes, including obesity, sleep position or an upper respiratory condition. Your dog\u2019s head shape and facial features can also make them more prone to snoring. Brachycephalic breeds<\/a> are common snorers due to their smaller nostrils and elongated soft palate that can partially block the opening of the windpipe.<\/p>\n Snoring usually doesn\u2019t indicate a problem if your dog has always snored, can breathe well and the snoring isn\u2019t getting worse over time. However, if your dog has suddenly started snoring, it\u2019s become louder or they also have other respiratory symptoms (e.g., nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing), it\u2019s time to see your veterinarian.<\/p>\n Perhaps one of the weirdest noises your dog can make is a reverse sneeze \u2014 although it sounds more like a loud snort than a sneeze. A reverse sneeze (also called paroxysmal respiration) happens when air is quickly pulled into<\/em> your dog\u2019s nose instead of pushed out of<\/em> their nose like in a normal sneeze. It\u2019s not clear what causes reverse sneezes, but they\u2019re usually nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n Puppy hiccups<\/a> are more common than adult dog hiccups (which are just as cute). Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of your dog\u2019s diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest and abdomen). The diaphragm has an essential role in normal breathing and usually moves in a regular pattern. During a case of the hiccups, a sudden contraction in the diaphragm pulls air in quickly, causing your dog\u2019s vocal cords to briefly close. It\u2019s what makes the \u201chic\u201d sound of hiccups. They are usually nothing to worry about and will resolve on their own.<\/p>\n Contrary to the myth, dogs don\u2019t howl at the moon<\/a>, but they do howl for many other reasons. Dogs howl to attract attention, to alert their owner to danger, to \u201ctalk\u201d to other dogs and as a way of expressing their fear, excitement, anxiety or aggression. They also howl in response to high-pitched sounds like emergency vehicle sirens or musical instruments. Dogs will sometimes howl if they\u2019re hurt or sick, so it\u2019s always worth checking why your dog is howling.<\/p>\n A whining dog usually wants something. Like breakfast. Or to go potty (now). Or for you to pick up the ball that they\u2019ve dropped at your feet 50 times and you still haven\u2019t thrown. Sometimes whining means that they\u2019re showing fear or discomfort, but most often it\u2019s because they need<\/em> something.<\/p>\n Those not-so-pleasant noises that come from your dog\u2019s front and back end happen when excess gas is released from their digestive system<\/a>. Burping is a common occurrence when your dog has gulped down their food or water too fast and swallowed a bunch of air with it. If the swallowed air isn\u2019t released via the front end (which most of it is), it makes its way through the gastrointestinal tract and out the back end. Using special bowls that help slow down your dog\u2019s eating habits can help reduce the amount of air they swallow (and then burp or toot back out).<\/p>\n If the back end of your dog is where most of the noises are coming from, that gas is mostly coming from gas produced during normal digestive processes and movement of gas from the blood into the intestines. Some flatulence is normal, but if it\u2019s excessive, it may be due to sudden food changes<\/a>, a diet that doesn\u2019t agree with your dog\u2019s digestive system, a food made with low-quality ingredients or your dog eating something they shouldn\u2019t have<\/a>. Medical issues can also cause excess gas, so if your dog also has other symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting), visit with your veterinarian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are just a few of the weird sounds your dog can make. You know your dog best, so if they\u2019re making a sound that\u2019s not normal for them and you\u2019re concerned, have them checked by your veterinarian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nCoughing and\u2026 Honking?<\/h2>\n
Snoring Could Be More Than Just Annoying<\/h2>\n
Gnizeens (Reverse Sneezing)<\/h2>\n
Hiccupping Pups<\/h2>\n
Howling and Whining to Communicate<\/h2>\n
The Stinky Noises: Burps and Toots<\/h2>\n