My Senior Dog Barks Hoarsely: 7 Reasons

Many dogs love to bark more than anything. They sound so different that it is probably easy for you to pick out your pup at the dog park.

But suddenly there is no familiar “woof” booming from afar, just a pitiful rasp. So is your dog hoarse? Does it have something to do with age?

I will answer whether hoarseness in older dogs is normal in this article. You will also learn what causes hoarseness, whether it is a serious problem, and whether you should see a vet.

Older dog barking hoarsely: At a glance

If your older dog suddenly barks hoarsely, it usually points to a health issue involving the throat. A dog’s voice does not automatically change with age. Your dog could be dealing with laryngeal paralysis, laryngitis as well as reflux, or respiratory infections.
The causes of hoarseness are very treatable. Your dog is very likely to recover.

Is it normal for an older dog to bark hoarsely?

No, that is not normal. Your dog’s voice does not naturally change with age. There is always a specific reason behind it. Because of the general changes dogs go through as they get older, it happens more often. It still is not normal.

Dogs can get hoarse, just like people do. It also happens to them more quickly than to their relatives, wolves. Wolves hardly bark at all.

Only in the course of their development into dogs did barking become much more common.

It also changed along the way. Dogs have far more variations in barking than wolves do, as Ádám Miklósi writes.

This likely has to do with living alongside humans. A guard dog that does not alert to intruders with loud barking is hardly useful. Unfortunately, it also led to a procedure called “debarking.”

In it, part of a dog’s vocal cords are removed so they can barely bark. How affected dogs sound is shown in this Video. Fortunately, this procedure is now banned in Europe.

7 reasons why your older dog suddenly barks hoarsely

Since your dog’s voice does not naturally change with age, the cause of hoarseness lies elsewhere. The reasons are quite similar to those for hoarseness in people. Your dog

1. has barked too much,
2. suffers from laryngeal paralysis,
3. laryngitis,
4. reflux,
5. heart problems,
6. a respiratory infection, or
7. is sensitive to dry air.

⚕️ #1: Hoarseness as a result of excessive barking

To bark, your dog uses his vocal cords and vocal folds. If he does it too intensely, he overloads these structures. As a result, they cannot do their job the way they should. Your dog’s voice becomes softer and rough. He is hoarse.

You can recognize hoarseness from excessive barking by the fact that your dog shows no other symptoms. It is not an illness, just overuse, similar to sore muscles.

Accordingly, your dog should behave normally otherwise. The hoarseness will likely go away on its own after a few days.

⚕️ #2: Laryngeal paralysis

Laryngeal paralysis affects older animals more often, but it can also occur in young dogs. Hovawarts and male dogs in general are affected more frequently, as a 2020 study found.

With laryngeal paralysis there is a problem with the nerve connected to the larynx. If it cannot transmit impulses, the vocal folds go slack. This may be triggered by hypothyroidism or a tumor in an unfavorable location. The condition can also occur independently of these.

As a result, the airways become narrower and your dog has more trouble breathing. And of course, his voice changes when he barks because of the paralyzed vocal folds.
You can recognize laryngeal paralysis in your dog by the following symptoms:

• hoarse, toneless bark
• noisy breathing
• labored breathing up to shortness of breath (bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes)
• reduced stamina
• constant coughing

Especially if your dog’s condition worsens in warm weather, it could be laryngeal paralysis.

If you notice your dog is short of breath, take him to a vet immediately.

⚕️ #3: Laryngitis

Laryngitis, also known as a laryngeal inflammation, can have many causes. It can be triggered by

• viruses,
• bacteria,
• foreign bodies
• collars that are too tight, or
• as a secondary infection

It presents with

• fever,
• coughing fits,
• vomiting triggered by the cough,
• refusal to eat, and
• general lethargy.

Laryngitis can become chronic. The symptoms may then escalate to shortness of breath, which can be life-threatening for your dog.

⚕️ #4: Reflux

Heartburn, reflux, or pyrosis all describe the problem of stomach acid flowing into the esophagus. That does not just cause a nasty taste and uncomfortable feeling in the mouth. It also irritates the sensitive mucous membranes.

If your dog has reflux for a longer period, his mucous membranes eventually become so irritated that his voice changes. The following symptoms point to reflux in dogs:

• frequent burping and swallowing motions
• hiccups
• coughing
• lip smacking
• increased thirst
• sour-smelling breath
• retching or vomiting foam
• other digestive issues

⚕️ #5: Heart problems

Heart problems are more common in seniors. If the heart valves no longer close properly, the heart struggles to do its job. As a result, your dog’s performance declines. His voice may also change.

The hoarseness is essentially a sign of constant strain. When the heart is not working properly, your dog constantly feels like he just ran a marathon.
You can recognize heart problems in dogs by

• rapid breathing (even at rest),
• reluctance to exercise,
• weakness, and
• frequent panting.

⚕️ #6: Respiratory infection

Any respiratory infection can of course affect the voice. When the throat is swollen, we sound different than usual. With colds, the flu, and sore throats, your dog’s bark may change and sound hoarse.

You can recognize respiratory infections by the following symptoms:

• coughing
• nasal discharge (clear, yellow, or greenish)
• trouble swallowing
• loss of appetite
• fatigue
• fever

⚕️ #7: Reaction to dry air

Our mucous membranes and your dog’s need to be kept moist. Normally, the body takes care of that on its own. If it cannot, because the air is too dry, they eventually dry out.

That can happen especially in winter. In well insulated homes, humidity can drop to desert levels.

To keep an eye on this, you can get a hygrometer. It should read about 50 percent humidity. Below 40 percent your dog’s mucous membranes suffer. Above 60 percent the risk of mold increases.

🩺 See a vet because an older dog is barking hoarsely?

If your senior barks hoarsely for an extended period, you should definitely see a vet. If he shows no other symptoms, you can observe him for two days. If his condition gets worse or the hoarseness persists beyond that, it is better to make an appointment.

Diagnosis

To find out why your dog is hoarse, your vet will palpate his throat and want to look in his mouth. Your dog may need a sedative for this.

If your vet suspects a heart issue, they will take an X-ray . If it shows abnormalities, your dog will need a heart ultrasound.

Therapy

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Laryngeal paralysis must be treated surgically. The space for airflow is enlarged. Your vet pulls the paralyzed parts outward and fixes them in place.

This may permanently change your dog’s voice. But at least he will be able to breathe properly again.

If your dog also has hypothyroidism, he will need medication. Any tumor tissue will be removed during the procedure.

For laryngitis your dog will receive antibiotics. If foreign bodies such as blades of grass or other plant fibers are stuck in his throat, they need to be removed. If the inflammation was secondary, your vet must also treat the underlying condition.

You should stop using a collar and switch to a harness.
With frequent reflux, your dog will receive medication. A change in diet may also help.

A heart condition is also very treatable. Your dog will receive various medications that support his heart. Special food makes sense here as well. You should also reduce his physical exertion.

With a respiratory infection, lots of rest helps. Since these are often caused by viruses, there is not much your vet can do. Some dogs do well with steam inhalation. Brew some chamomile tea and let your pup inhale the steam.

Make sure your dog cannot get burned.

If the problem is a reaction to dry indoor air, you should add moisture to the air. Drape a damp towel over the heater or place a bowl of water on the windowsill.

For stubborn cases, there are automatic humidifiers that keep humidity at a good level on their own.

Prognosis

Most causes of hoarseness are very treatable and can be resolved quickly. Only laryngeal paralysis and heart failure are more serious.

Fortunately, surgery has a good success rate. With the right medication, dogs can live a long time even with heart problems. Overall, the outlook is good if your dog starts barking hoarsely as he gets older.

My dog is barking hoarsely: The takeaway

A change in voice with age is not normal, it is mostly due to illness. Older dogs become hoarse more quickly because they are more susceptible to many health problems.

That is why we may get the impression that dogs bark differently as they age. That is not true. They just become more sensitive.

For that reason, you should not smoke in rooms where your dog spends time. Cigarette smoke is just as harmful for dogs as it is for people. As they age, it puts even more strain on their lungs. With secondhand smoke exposure, they can even develop smoker’s cough and become permanently hoarse.

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