![]() ![]() Older dogs with arthritis may grunt when they get up or sit down, due to discomfort in their joints. Grunting is one of many noises that dogs can make in response to pain. Grunting can also be a sign of a severe impairment to the respiratory system such as a narrowing or obstruction of the airways or compression of the lungs within the chest cavity, such as by fluid. Other signs can include coughing, sneezing or shortness of breath. Respiratory diseaseĪny respiratory illness that causes congestion can cause a dog to grunt. ![]() The symptoms can sometimes be relieved with medical treatment but ultimately surgery may be required. This is more common in older large-breed dogs such Labradors. ![]() When the laryngeal nerve stops working properly, it can cause paralysis of the muscles that control these folds meaning they often become flaccid, resulting in a grunting sound as the dog breathes. The larynx, or voice box in humans, sits at the top of the trachea and contains the vocal folds which are innervated by the laryngeal nerve and move to create different sounds. Episodes will generally self-resolve within a minute or so, but gently stroking the dog’s throat can help. It means the dog will repeatedly and rapidly inhale air and make a snorting noise in their nose or mouth. It often happens in response to a nasal irritant. But a lot of owners mistake it for choking and will panic. Reverse sneezing is a very common and usually completely harmless thing that dogs can do. Puppies will grunt when playing or feeding from mum again, a frequent sign of contentment. They can also do so at other happy times, such as greeting their owner or waiting for food. Whether enjoying a belly rub, a tickle behind the ears or scratching that persistent itch, dogs may rhythmically grunt to show enjoyment. Grunting is a common sign of a happy dog. Currently, there is a movement against the breeding of these types as they can suffer many health problems related to their shape and features. This causes that typical grunting snort so characteristic of breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs or boxers. This is because of their conformation where their short muzzles and recessed noses mean that their soft palate and tongue are often over-large for their size. Some breeds, particularly the brachycephalic type breeds, are much more likely to grunt than others. ![]()
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