If someone were asked to describe a dog, “calm” is probably not one of the first adjectives they would use (if any). A myriad of noises come from the front and back of a dog, but what causes them? We’ll go over some of the strange noises your dog can make and which sounds you should have had your vet checked out.
Choking: the sound you never want to hear
Choking is one of the most frightening noises a pet parent can hear from their dog. Since it is caused by an airway obstruction, it is a distressing situation for both your dog and you. The AKC explains that you can tell the difference between coughing and choking by looking at your dog’s skin and mucous membranes — if they’re blue, it’s likely your dog has something lodged in his airways. They may also scratch their muzzle, drool, choke, and rub their face on the ground.
You can learn how to help a choking dog in the AKC’s article on Heimlich for Dogs. Even if your dog is recovering from a chokehold without veterinary help, it’s important to get him checked out by a vet in case his airway or other body part has been damaged.
Cough and… honk?
If your dog coughs several times and then stops, he probably just got a tickle in his throat. But if they’ve been coughing for more than a day, it’s time to get them checked out by your vet. And if your dog is coughing violently, has difficulty breathing, or has blue-gray colored gums, you should see a veterinarian immediately.
Chronic cough can be caused by a number of conditions, including allergies, heart disease, heartworm, collapsing trachea, tumors, or asthma (allergic bronchitis). It can also be due to a contagious disease like canine flu or kennel cough. If your dog has kennel cough, a highly contagious viral infection, his cough may have a honking sound. The good news is that if kennel cough is treated early, there are usually no long-term effects.
Snoring could be more than annoying
Have you ever been kept awake by a snoring dog? They can be noisy! Snoring is usually caused by partial obstruction of your dog’s upper airways (nose, pharynx, or throat). When your dog is in a deep sleep, the upper airway tissues are completely relaxed and may vibrate audibly during breathing, producing snoring.
Snoring has many causes, including obesity, sleeping position, or an upper respiratory condition. The shape of your dog’s head and facial features can also make him more prone to snoring. Brachycephalic breeds are common snorers due to their smaller nostrils and elongated soft palate which can partially block the opening of the trachea.
Snoring usually doesn’t indicate a problem if your dog has always snored, can breathe well, and the snoring doesn’t get worse over time. However, if your dog has suddenly started snoring, has become louder, or is also exhibiting other respiratory symptoms (eg, runny nose, sneezing, coughing), it’s time to see your veterinarian.
Gnizeens (reverse sneezes)
Perhaps one of the strangest noises your dog can make is a reverse sneeze, although it sounds more like a loud sniffle than a sneeze. A reverse sneeze (also called paroxysmal breathing) occurs when air is rapidly drawn in In your dog’s nose instead of nudging it out of their nose like a normal sneeze. The cause of reverse sneezes isn’t clear, but it’s usually nothing to worry about.
Puppies with hiccups
Hiccups in puppies are more common than in adult dogs (who are just as cute). Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of your dog’s diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest and abdomen). The diaphragm plays a vital role in normal breathing and generally moves in a regular pattern. During a case of hiccups, a sudden contraction of the diaphragm rapidly sucks in air, causing your dog’s vocal cords to briefly close. This is what makes the “hic” sound of hiccups. They are usually not worrisome and resolve on their own.
Howl and moan to communicate
Contrary to myth, dogs don’t howl at the moon, but they howl for many other reasons. Dogs howl to get attention, to alert their owner to danger, to “talk” to other dogs, and to express fear, excitement, anxiety, or aggression. They also howl in response to high-pitched sounds like emergency vehicle sirens or musical instruments. Dogs sometimes howl if they’re injured or sick, so it’s always worth checking out why your dog is howling.
A whining dog usually wants something. Like breakfast. Or go potty (now). Or for you to pick up the ball they dropped at your feet 50 times and you still haven’t thrown. Sometimes whining means he’s showing fear or discomfort, but more often it’s because he’s need something.
Smelly noises: burps and toots
Those not-so-pleasant noises that come from the front and back of your dog occur when excess gas is released from his digestive system. Burping is a common occurrence when your dog has swallowed his food or water too quickly and swallowed a lot of air with it. If swallowed air is not released from the front end (which most of it is), it works its way through the gastrointestinal tract and exits the back. Using special bowls that help slow down your dog’s eating habits can help reduce the amount of air he swallows (and then burps or spits).
While your dog’s rear end is where most noise comes from, this gas comes primarily from gas produced during normal digestive processes and the movement of gas from the blood to the intestines. Some flatulence is normal, but if it’s excessive it could be due to sudden dietary changes, eating a diet that isn’t in tune with your dog’s digestive system, eating food with poor quality ingredients or to your dog eating something he shouldn’t be eating. . Medical issues can also cause excess gas, so if your dog also has other symptoms (eg, diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting), see your veterinarian.
These are just a few of the strange sounds your dog can make. You know your dog best, so if he’s making a sound that isn’t normal for him and you’re concerned, get him checked out by your vet.
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