Snoring linked to pet dogs in childhood, study finds

A child who grows up alongside a pet dog has an increased chance of growing up to become a snoring adult, according to a study done in Sweden.

Led by Dr Karl Franklin, the research team from the Umea University Hospital in Sweden questioned over 15,000 people from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Estonia about their childhood and their snoring habits.

Eighteen percent reported habitual snoring, defined as “loud and disturbing snoring at least three nights a week.”

The participants were asked if any pets lived in their home when they were born or growing up. From the answers the researchers concluded that:

Dog exposure in infancy made a 3.4 per cent contribution to snoring risk, which was larger than any of the other childhood factors.

The infectious bacteria spread around the home by dogs are believed to simulate the lymphatic systems of newborn infants, leading to enlargement of the tonsils. This in turn creates a tendency to snore in later life, according to the theory.

Other factors associated with adult snoring were having ear infections in childhood and growing up in a large family. Besides being an annoying habit that causes sleep deprivation for the snorer and others around him, Dr. Franklin said that people who snore have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The good news for those of you who don’t live in Sweden is that your tax dollars didn’t fund this study.

Comments

[Lindsay]

Wow, that study seems ridiculous. I mean, it's possible pets add to the likeliness of someone snoring (because some people are allergic to pets) but the study suggests owning a pet during infancy increases your snoring risk by 3.4 percent. Is that even a high enough percentage to mean anything?

[Tom and Icy]

I notice my dog snores when my wife snores.

[cube]

Next week we'll hear about the study the proves that having a dog in infancy makes you less likely to snore, but more likely to fart loudly ;-)

[gus louie and callie]

That is interesting. Could be scary too..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

[Harrison]

When in doubt, blame the dog, right? Geeze. Silly Human Female (AHM's ex-roommate) snored so loud she'd rattle the windows and she never had a dog until she moved in with us. Whenever Aunt Heddy slept with her, she'd have to kick her to get her to roll over. One night she even kicked SHF out of the bed entirely. Boy, was that a fun night.

[Saint Lover]

Bullocks is about all I can say about that! I snore because I am fat and have allergies, end of story!

I know plenty of people that snore and have never had pets.

[jackie]

ahh, screw em i'd rather have the doggie with the snoring than without..

[Serendipity]

Is that a fact? Hmm...think it won't be long before someone else comes out with a study to contradict this one.

[Denny Harmon]

...and cow farts are eradicating the ozone layer.

[Lidian]

Our cat snores, maybe they could study cats and snoring next in Sweden.

[K9 Amiga]

wonder why large families?

[C]

I always thought my snoring was due to my asthma! I didn't have a dog when I was growing up.

I have a dog now...and it's like we've got a little symphony going when Hubby turns on the TV. We get Hubby, the dog, and the two cats snoring in unison. Too funny!

[gordyandgeorgie]

The people we know who do snore are those that did not have a dog companion when growing up. Our person does not snore but the cat and one of us (standard poodles) do.

[Tony]

I wonder if they will do one on farting next. It was always the dog when I was a kid.

[SnoringTom]

Thank you for this post, it was really interesting to read, it is always nice to know that I'm not the only snorer, and yes I did have a dog in my youth