That pig-like snorting your Shih Tzu makes is almost always one of two things: reverse sneezing or the normal background noise of a flat-faced breed breathing through compressed airways. Both are extremely common in Shih Tzus, and most of the time neither is dangerous. Understanding the difference, and knowing when the sound signals something more serious, will save you a lot of worry.
Reverse Sneezing: The Most Common Cause
The dramatic, repetitive snorting that sounds like your dog is trying to inhale a sneeze is called reverse sneezing, or paroxysmal respiration. During a normal sneeze, air is forced out through the nose. During a reverse sneeze, air is rapidly pulled in through the nose instead, creating that distinctive snorting or honking sound. The episode typically lasts 15 to 30 seconds, and your dog may stand still, extend their neck, and look like they’re struggling, which can be alarming the first time you see it.
What’s actually happening is an involuntary spasm of the soft palate and throat muscles. The soft palate is the fleshy tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth. When something irritates it, the throat muscles contract and the palate temporarily shifts position, narrowing the airway. Your dog’s body responds by forcefully sniffing inward to try to clear the irritation. It’s essentially a reflex for removing dust, allergens, or other particles from the upper airway.
Common Triggers for Episodes
Reverse sneezing episodes don’t happen randomly. They’re usually set off by something specific:
- Dust, pollen, or household irritants like cleaning sprays, candles, or air fresheners
- Excitement, especially during greetings or playtime
- Pulling against a leash, which puts direct pressure on the throat
- Eating or drinking too quickly, which can irritate the back of the throat
If you notice a pattern, like episodes that happen every time you vacuum or every spring when pollen counts rise, the trigger is likely environmental. Switching to a harness instead of a collar can eliminate episodes caused by leash pressure on the throat.
Why Shih Tzus Snort More Than Other Dogs
Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they were bred to have a shortened skull and a flat face. That compact head shape looks distinctive, but it comes with real anatomical trade-offs. The same amount of soft tissue that would fill a longer muzzle is crammed into a much smaller space, and this creates several overlapping airway problems.
The most common findings in brachycephalic breeds include stenotic nares (unusually narrow nostrils that can partially collapse when the dog inhales), an elongated soft palate that hangs too far back and blocks airflow into the windpipe, and everted laryngeal saccules, which are small pockets of tissue near the vocal cords that get sucked inward during breathing. Some dogs also have a windpipe that is proportionally too narrow for their body size. Additional factors like an oversized tongue or enlarged tonsils can further crowd the airway.
This collection of issues is formally called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS. Not every Shih Tzu has all of these problems, and severity varies widely. Veterinarians grade BOAS on a scale from 0 (no obstruction) to III (severe obstruction that affects the dog’s daily life). Many Shih Tzus fall in the Grade 0 to I range, where snorting and snoring are present but don’t interfere with normal activity. Dogs in the Grade II to III range may struggle with exercise, overheat easily, or have trouble breathing during sleep.
The everyday snorting, snoring, and wheezing you hear from your Shih Tzu during normal activities is largely the sound of air being forced through these narrowed passages. It’s background noise that comes with the breed’s anatomy, and on its own it isn’t an emergency.
What to Do During a Snorting Episode
When your Shih Tzu launches into a full reverse sneezing episode, the most important thing is to stay calm. The episode looks worse than it feels for your dog. Most episodes resolve on their own within 30 seconds. You can try gently massaging your dog’s throat to encourage swallowing, which helps reset the soft palate back into its normal position. Some owners find that briefly and gently covering the nostrils encourages the dog to swallow and clears the spasm faster, though not every dog tolerates this.
Speaking in a calm, soothing voice can also help, especially if excitement triggered the episode. Once the spasm passes, your dog will typically go right back to whatever they were doing as if nothing happened.
When Snorting Signals Something Serious
Occasional reverse sneezing in a Shih Tzu is normal. But certain changes in the sound, frequency, or your dog’s overall behavior point to problems that need veterinary attention.
Tracheal collapse is one condition that can mimic or overlap with normal snorting. It produces a persistent, harsh, dry cough often described as a “goose honk,” which sounds distinctly different from the rhythmic inward snorting of a reverse sneeze. Tracheal collapse tends to worsen over time and can often be triggered just by lightly touching the throat area. If the cough progresses to wheezing on inhalation, that’s a sign the airway is significantly compromised.
The clearest red flags are changes in gum or tongue color. If your dog’s gums or tongue turn blue or purple during a snorting episode, that means oxygen isn’t reaching the blood properly. Fainting during or after an episode is another emergency sign. Either of these warrants immediate veterinary care.
You should also pay attention to gradual changes. If snorting episodes become noticeably more frequent, last longer than they used to, or your dog seems less willing to exercise or play, the airway obstruction may be worsening. BOAS can progress over time as the chronic effort of breathing through narrow passages causes secondary tissue changes, like the laryngeal saccules becoming more swollen or the larynx itself starting to weaken.
Reducing Everyday Snorting
You can’t change your Shih Tzu’s skull shape, but you can minimize the things that make their breathing harder. Keeping your dog at a lean body weight is the single most effective thing you can do. Extra fat around the neck and chest compresses airways that are already tight, and even a pound or two of excess weight makes a measurable difference in a small breed.
Use a harness instead of a neck collar for walks. Avoid exercising your dog in hot or humid weather, since brachycephalic dogs can’t cool themselves efficiently through panting and are prone to overheating. Keep indoor air clean by minimizing strong fragrances, cigarette smoke, and heavy dust. If your dog eats or drinks too fast, a slow-feeder bowl can reduce the throat irritation that triggers episodes.
For dogs with moderate to severe BOAS, surgical options exist to widen the nostrils or shorten the soft palate. These procedures are most effective when done in younger dogs before the chronic strain on the airway causes permanent secondary changes. If your vet has flagged your Shih Tzu’s breathing as Grade II or III, surgery can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the snorting you hear every day.