What sounds like “cute snorting or snoring” is a sign of labored breathing, a daily struggle for air that no dog should endure.

Pet parents mistake these symptoms as “normal for the breed,” because that is what they were told.

Stenotic nares is a common yet serious condition in French Bulldogs, where the nostrils are abnormally narrow or pinched.
These tiny, restricted openings make it difficult for air to pass through the nose, forcing affected dogs to work harder just to breathe.

Frenchies with stenotic nares often show signs early: noisy breathing, fatigue during walks, open-mouth breathing even at rest, & disrupted sleep.

Symptoms of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) are not normal, it’s a symptom of obstructed airflow that places stress on the entire respiratory system.

Left untreated, stenotic nares contributes to more serious complications like chronic respiratory distress, everted laryngeal saccules, collapse of the larynx, aspiration pneumonia, & heat stroke.

Fortunately, surgical correction—especially with advanced tools like the CO₂ laser—offers a safe, effective, & minimally invasive way to widen the nostrils.

This allows for immediate improvement in airflow, reducing the dog’s respiratory effort & greatly improving quality of life.

Breathing should never be a struggle. With proper care & awareness, Frenchies with stenotic nares can live easier, happier lives, one deep breath at a time.