Why Does My Yorkie Snort Like a Pig? Common Reasons To Know

If you’re a Yorkie owner, you’ve probably been startled—or amused—by the strange snorting sound your pup makes that’s eerily similar to a pig. While it can be adorable, it’s natural to wonder why does my Yorkie snort like a pig? Is it normal behavior? Could it indicate a health problem? Let’s explore everything you need to know about why your Yorkshire Terrier is making these unusual sounds and whether you need to be concerned.

1. Why Does My Yorkie Snort Like a Pig?

Many Yorkies exhibit pig-like snorting sounds throughout their lives. This behavior, known as reverse sneezing, is quite common in small breeds, including Yorkies. Reverse sneezing is not the same as a typical sneeze; instead, it occurs when a dog draws air rapidly through the nose, causing a distinct snorting noise. While reverse sneezing is the most common cause, other factors may contribute to this behavior.

Let’s take a deeper look into some common causes:

• Reverse Sneezing: The leading cause of pig-like snorting. It happens when the soft palate and throat spasm due to irritation.
• Allergies or Irritants: Dust, pollen, or household chemicals can trigger snorting fits.
• Excitement or Exercise: Some Yorkies snort when they’re overexcited, especially during playtime.
• Respiratory Infections: A cold, kennel cough, or other infections may also result in unusual snorting sounds.
• Brachycephalic Features: Although Yorkies aren’t considered brachycephalic (short-nosed), their small airways can still make breathing more challenging than it is for larger dogs, leading to snorting episodes.

What causes Reverse Sneezing in Yorkies?

Here are the triggers that make a Yorkie snort like a pig. Knowing what causes your pup’s episodes can help you reduce them. Here are the most common:

• Environmental Allergens: Yorkies are allergic just like humans. Dust mites, mold, pollen and perfumes are the usual suspects.
• Excitement or Play: Many Yorkie owners notice their dogs snort when they are happy, playing with toys or meeting new people.
• Temperature Changes: Going from a warm room to a cold one or vice versa can make your dog snort or reverse sneeze.
• Pulling on the Leash: Using a collar instead of a harness can put pressure on your dog’s throat and make them snort.

If you can identify the trigger—for example during playtime or after going outside—you can avoid it.

2. Is Reverse Sneezing Harmful to Your Yorkie?

In most cases, reverse sneezing is harmless and doesn’t indicate any underlying medical issue. For Yorkies, snorting fits are generally brief and self-resolve within a few seconds to a minute. During these episodes, your dog may extend its neck, widen its eyes, and make repeated snorting sounds, which can look alarming at first. However, the dog is typically not in distress and resumes normal breathing immediately afterward.

Even though it looks scary, the primary takeaway is that reverse sneezing does not hurt your Yorkie. It’s comparable to a human getting a tickle in their throat—a momentary discomfort, but nothing serious. That said, if your dog experiences frequent or prolonged episodes, it might be a good idea to investigate further.

What is Snorting Anyways?

Loud or strange breathing in dogs with the appearance of altered, unusual sounds can happen for several reasons. What we define as snorting, veterinarians explain as a process that occurs when air passes through the nostrils, pharynx and vocal cords, and the trachea. If any of these regions change, some unexpected sounds can happen when the air passes through. 

The change can be located in the nasal cavities, at the transition from the nose to the pharynx, changes in the soft palate, when air enters the larynx, and passing through the vocal cords, or when air flows through the trachea. That’s why your Yorkie may sometimes sound like a pig. These sounds can be present while the dog is inhaling or exhaling and can occur when air flows through tissue or while some liquid your dog is drinking at the moment is found in some of these air paths.

It’s More Common for Small Dog Breeds

Snorting is more likely to happen to a small dog. That’s why Yorkies can produce these kinds of “breathing sounds.” Tiny dogs have shorter breathing paths, which means they can have some problems while inhaling air. It can also happen that some parts of the breathing system gets clogged because there’s not much space due to a dog’s size. Even though Yorkie is not a breed that has a wrinkled face or flattened muzzle, its small face can produce some piggy noise if breathing is aggravated.

Excited Yorkie is Piggy Yorkie

The so-called “reverse sneezing can also cause snorting piglet sounds.” “Reverse sneezing” is the name for a phenomenon in which, at the same time, there is a narrowing of the trachea and rapid inhalation of air. At that moment, a dog produces a funny sound that reminds us of snorting.

Yorkie can suffer from this form of breathing in some stressful situations due to irritation from inhaled allergens. Also, in cases when your Yorkie gets too excited or extremely happy, they can sound pig-like. People usually say that happens before a walk, or when your dog sees you after a few hours. It is generally more common in smaller breeds, and it should pass spontaneously. If this condition occasionally occurs without any suffering for a dog, it is not a concern.

READ ALSO: Do Yorkies Love to Wear Clothes?

Health Issues in Yorkies

There’s also an option of health problems that can cause Yorkie to make funny breathing sounds. If some organ of the breathing area is affected by an inflammatory process (that can be local or systemic), it may cause piggy sounds. You can also check your Yorkie by yourself by trying to see if there are any foreign bodies, toys, or snacks stuck in their breathing paths. 

Breathing problems can also be caused by severe health problems like mucosal edema, tumors, paralysis of breathing organs because of some infection, etc.

In addition to these changes in the breathing system’s organs, sometimes such changes can occur alongside the dysfunction of other organs or organ systems, such as the cardiovascular system. Causes are many, so consulting a professional is a must.

No matter what causes this snorting sound, we strongly recommend that you take your Yorkie to a vet as soon as you hear these piggy noises. Only a veterinarian can tell you precisely what’s the cause and how to proceed with this phenomenon. It’s usually nothing serious, but your dog’s health should always come first. Healthy Yorkie is a happy Yorkie, so make sure that your little piglet gets the care it deserves.

When to Take Your Yorkie to the Vet for Snorting

While occasional snorting or reverse sneezing is no big deal, there are times when you should see a vet. Look out for these signs:

• Frequent Episodes: If your Yorkie is snorting daily, it could be a chronic issue like allergies or an airway problem.
• Difficulty Breathing: If your Yorkie is having trouble breathing, wheezing or panting excessively, it’s an underlying health issue.
• Discharge from Nose or Eyes: This means a respiratory infection that needs medical attention.
• Coughing or Gagging: Persistent coughing means tracheal collapse, a common condition in small breeds like Yorkies.

If you observe any of these symptoms along with snorting, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out more serious problems.

Why Does My Yorkie Snort Like a Pig: Wrapping Up

Most of the time, when your Yorkie snorts like a pig, it’s just reverse sneezing – a normal, harmless quirk of small dogs. The episodes will pass in seconds, and no medical intervention is needed. However, if the snorting is frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by other symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing, it’s worth talking to a vet.

To reduce the chances of these snorting fits, try using a harness instead of a collar, managing allergies, and keeping an eye on any environmental triggers. With a little care and attention, your Yorkie will thrive – snorts and all!

So, if you’ve been wondering ”why does my Yorkie snort like a pig” – relax, it’s normal. Knowing the reasons and how to help your pup during an episode will give you peace of mind. With a little patience and care these snorting sounds will just be another quirk of your Yorkie’s character.