--- title: Does My Dog Have Sleep Apnea? description: Did you know that dogs, as well as humans, can suffer from sleep apnea? Here's how to tell if your pet might have a sleep disorder. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2392562344.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Does My Dog Have Sleep Apnea?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/does-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Apr 26, 2016 8:00:00 AM ![dog-with-sleep-apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2392562344.jpg?width=392&name=file-2392562344.jpg) ## Sleep Apnea in Pets You may be surprised to learn that dogs, like humans, can suffer from [sleep disorders](https://www.sleepdr.com/types), including sleep apnea.  While snoring is sometimes just innocuous nighttime noise, it can also be a [warning sign](https://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog/snoring-and-sleep-apnea) for an underlying problem. Sleep apnea can be pretty serious for your pooch. The most severe cases can result in death, but even a mild instance can disrupt your dog's sleep. Symptoms include: - Loud and frequent [snoring](https://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog/snoring-and-sleep-apnea) - Gasping or choking while sleeping - Sleeping during the day - Tiredness - Irritability Common causes of sleep apnea in dogs include allergies, being overweight, and obstructions in the dog's airway and nasal passages. ## Achoo! Allergies and Apneas If your dog suffers from allergies, whether seasonal, caused by foods, or due to toxins in his environment, his allergies could inflame his airways to the point of blocking them off. A visit to his veterinarian is important because your vet can diagnose his problem and either prescribe a hypoallergenic diet or give him a prescription that will help his condition. ## Pudgy Pooches Like humans, dogs suffering from sleep apnea are often overweight or obese (read more about [how to find out if your dog is overweight](http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_multi_is_my_pet_fat_overweight)).  During obstructive sleep apnea--the most common form of sleep apnea--tissue in the back of the throat collapses into the airway, blocking the breath. This soft tissue includes the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and adenoids. When you fall asleep, your throat muscles relax, which can cause the tissue to sag into your throat. When the airway is entirely blocked, an apnea occurs. Excess fat and tissue in the throat and neck can increase the obstruction. Losing weight can significantly reduce or eliminate sleep apnea. Your veterinarian can assess your dog's weight and recommend diet changes if your dog is overweight or obese. ## Short Snouted Dogs Suffer Some dog breeds with short noses (the fancy term is *brachycephalic*), like bulldogs and pugs, can suffer from complications due to obstructed airways. Like with humans, it can be difficult to diagnose obstructive airways. A company called PetPace has developed a smart collar very similar to the [home sleep apnea test (HST)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/what-is-home-sleep-testing) devices used by many sleep centers to monitor dogs’ activity and sleep. The collar records data such as activity, respiration and sleeping positions to aid vets in diagnosing their patients (learn more about the smart collar device [here](http://petpace.com/)). In the case of diagnosed obstruction, your veterinarian may need to perform surgery to allow your dog to sleep better. ## Learn More About Sleep Disorders In addition to sleep apnea, dogs can also suffer from [insomnia](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/insomnia-causes-symptoms-treatment) and [restless leg syndrome](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/restless-leg-syndrome). We have resources on these disorders in humans. To learn more about how they may be affecting your dog, check out our sources below. Worried that you or a loved one (human) may have sleep apnea? Find out more about in-center and out-of-center testing (HST) for sleep apnea. [![Request sleep study](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/299691/3475ae5e-54f4-4d7d-917e-de48489f3a90.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/299691/3475ae5e-54f4-4d7d-917e-de48489f3a90) **Sources: ** [https://www.petcarerx.com/article/common-dog-sleep-disorders/896](https://www.petcarerx.com/article/common-dog-sleep-disorders/896)[https://www.vetinfo.com/sleep-apnea-in-dogs.html](https://www.vetinfo.com/sleep-apnea-in-dogs.html) [http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/diseases/cushing's-disease](http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/diseases/cushing's-disease) **Other posts you may find interesting:** - [Sleeping with Pets: Has the Quality of Your Sleep Gone to the Dogs?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/sleeping-with-pets) - [New Research Shows Sleeping With Pets May Help You Sleep Better](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/new-research-shows-sleeping-with-pets-may-help-you-sleep-better) - [What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/what-causes-sleep-apnea-in-children) - [How does Sleep Apnea Affect the Heart?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/sleep-apnea-and-the-heart) - [Sleep Apnea in Women, and Why It's Underdiagnosed](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/sleep-apnea-in-women-and-why-its-underdiagnosed) - [Celebrities and sleep apnea: Who do you know?](http://www.sleepdr.com/blog/celebrities-with-sleep-apnea)    ***Editor's Note:** This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.* Topics: [Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea), [Sleep and Society](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Does%20My%20Dog%20Have%20Sleep%20Apnea%3F) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-my-dog-have-sleep-apnea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.