Unusual Sounds from Your Canine Companion: An Expert Explanation

Dogs are known for their ability to communicate through a wide range of noises, and understanding these sounds can help pet owners better understand their furry friends.

Dogs produce a variety of noises for communication, respiration, digestion, and due to discomfort or disease. Barking, baying, howling, growling, and other sounds are common methods of communication, often used in conjunction with body language to clarify the message.

Barking, for instance, is a versatile sound used to alert, greet, or express excitement. Baying is a long, deep bark, often heard in hunting breeds, while howling is a long, high-pitched bark, with ancestral roots in communication and hunting. Growling can indicate fear, excitement, or a warning to stay away, and interpretation improves with familiarity with the dog's unique growls and body language.

Coughing can be a sign of a more serious medical issue like pneumonia or heartworm infection. Honking, a loud, dramatic dog noise characteristic for a collapsing trachea, is another cause for concern. Hacking, retching, dry heaving, gagging, coughing, and sneezing are more alarming noises that warrant a visit to the veterinarian, especially if they are accompanied by difficulties breathing or other signs of illness.

Other sleep sounds such as barks, yips, whimpers, or growls are nothing to worry about, as your dog is likely experiencing a vivid dream. Whimpering and whining are additional dog noises used primarily for communication, and can indicate stress, fear, pain, or a desire for attention.

Groaning, grunting, and sighing are noises dogs express emotions through, and can occur in response to pain or discomfort. Snoring is usually an innocent noise, but if it is becoming very loud or more frequent, it could indicate an airway disease.

Reverse sneezing is a startling noise caused by air being sucked rapidly backward through the nasal passages, often seen in dogs with short muzzles. This noise is generally harmless and may be caused by allergens, substances, or excitement.

Stomach gurgling (borborygmi) are regular dog digestive processes that can occasionally be noisy, but if accompanied by other signs of illness such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting, they could be the sign of gastrointestinal illness.

Dogs make noises at unusual sounds as a way to express insecurity, alertness, or discomfort, which can indicate stress or pain. This behavior can be a form of communication in unfamiliar situations or environments.

French Bulldogs and Pugs are examples of breeds with short muzzles that are more prone to certain weird noises, such as snorting and snoring. Upper respiratory illnesses, such as Canine Influenza Virus, can cause dogs to sneeze or cough.

If your dog is making any weird noises you don't recognize, new noises, or if the noise is accompanied by other signs of illness or distress, it's always best to check with your veterinarian to make sure there's no cause for concern.