Even though French bulldogs snort and produce the most hilarious sounds on Earth, they currently take a high 2nd place on the list of the most popular dogs in the world. We love them for their big eyes, friendly natures, and witty personalities. They’re perfect in every possible shape and color. However, have you ever wondered why do French bulldogs snort?
What does it mean when French bulldogs snort?
Since they’re widely known for their brachycephalic skulls, their respiratory system is different from other dogs. Unlike dog breeds with regular muzzles, dogs with flat skulls are more prone to breathing issues.
Dogs who snort usually have too much tissue in their mouth due to their flat skulls. Dogs with normal muzzles don’t have such problems because their mouth tissue is evenly distributed. Not all Frenchies will have the same problem, however, dogs with brachycephalic skulls are on a higher tendency to have it. Dog breeds such as Boxers, Pugs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, and French bulldogs belong to that category.
Choosing the right puppy and buying it from the right breeder plays an important role. The condition called elongated soft palate can be surgically fixed and the dog can back to living his life normally.
What are the common symptoms of the elongated soft palate in French bulldogs?
Since elongated soft palate could be the answer to your question ‘why do French bulldogs snort?’, you should know to recognize the symptoms. Dogs with this condition will quickly get tired even if they’re not obese. Besides, breathing issues such as heavy and deep breathing that sounds like a dog is fighting for air shouldn’t be neglected.
Snoring, snorting, wheezing, gagging, and similar sounds can even lead to a complete collapse of the airway. That’s why it’s important to start with the treatment early. If dog owners wait too long, an elongated soft palate can cause less effective corrective surgery.
Why do French bulldogs make weird noises?
Besides breathing issues that are very common in this breed, Frenchies are famous for making weird noises too. These batpigs can whine, cry, growl, and produce other hilarious sounds just to attract your attention. Since they’re companion dogs, Frenchies don’t love spending time alone. They thrive on constant interaction, play, and affection. Otherwise, they can become depressed, anxious, and show certain behavioral problems.
A Frenchie can make weird noises to ‘tell’ you that he/she is here. He/she will howl, bark, whine and do anything that will make you look at him.
Why do French bulldogs snort after meals?
Frenchies can snort after meals when their bellies are full because the diaphragm goes up more than usual. A full stomach can be one of the causes of the elevated diaphragm. The diaphragm is a muscle that contracts and relaxes with each inhale/exhale. When your Frenchie breathes in, the diaphragm becomes tighter which increases the pressure inside your chest cavity. And, when he exhales, the opposite happens.
If your Frenchie has just had a meal, then you should restrict him/her from activities and training in the first hour or two. Just imagine how you would feel to train or run right after meals.
How to prevent your French bulldog from snorting and breathing heavily?
Don’t take a Frenchie outside in hot weather
French bulldog’s flat skulls make them incapable to regulate their body temperature. The excessive tissue in their mouth and short nostrils don’t allow enough amount of air to enter their respiratory system. Just like other dogs, Frenchies can sweat only through their paw pads and by panting. That’s why it’s important not to take them outside during the hottest part of the day.
To keep your French bulldog safe in hot weather, it’s important to pay attention to his hydration demands. Besides, wearing a summer-cooling vest can help him a lot in keeping his body temperature within normal ranges.
Keep your French bulldog’s bed out of the direct sun
To help your Frenchie easier deal with hot weather, we recommend you to buy him/her a self-cooling bed. Self-cooling beds for French bulldogs are filled with cooling gels and feature fabrics that reflect the heat. In that way, your dog gets immediate cooling relief and stays cool.
Our favorite pick of French bulldog beds for the summer season is the Tropical Self Cooling French Bulldog Mat. The surface is waterproof, and cool in touch. The bed is filled with silicone cooling gel which absorbs the dog’s body temperature and provides him/her with a cooling effect.
Don’t leave your dog in the car
Wondering why do French bulldogs snort shouldn’t be your only concern. Besides heatstroke which is the worst-case scenario, your dog can quickly dehydrate and experience brain damage.
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that can be caused by leaving your dog in hot cars. The animal’s lack of sweat glands makes it difficult for them to cool off, so they rely on panting – but if the air around you gets too warm then he will never get his temperature back down! You may think taking some measures would help prevent this problem; however, nothing could stop heatstroke once its onset has been triggered- even though we know how important staying hydrated help.
Brain damage is a tragic outcome for some French bulldogs who manage to survive heatstroke, usually after intensive veterinary treatment. This condition can be life-changing both for the dog and their human family members as they continue with a life full of difficulties.
The best alternative is to leave your dog at home with access to shade, fresh water, and shelter. If you must take them out in the car for a short time (or any length), secure their safety by finding someone reliable that can watch over them until we return!
