Dog snoring is usually perceived as a cute thing. Dogs can start snoring from the very young age and the intensity of snoring can increase as they grow old and with other factors like their health condition, weight etc. As a dog parent, it is important for you to understand that the reason behind your pooch snoring would not always be an innocent one.

Let us skim through some health-related hazards that trigger dog snoring.

Fitness

Dog fitness is one of the prime factors that is directly proportional to snoring. Dogs that are obese are more vulnerable to snoring than the ones that fall into the ideal weight category. Moreover, snoring can also indicate low levels of fitness in dogs.

Snoring in obese or overweight dogs is caused due to the blockage of airways or throat from the excess fat. Therefore, it is important to keep your dog’s health under constant check. Put him for a routine exercise or walking session, if you observe that he has started snoring and the intensity is increasing. The snoring should correct itself once your dog sheds those extra pounds.

Allergies

Similar to people, dogs can get allergies from dust, pollen, and dander. Inhaling any of these airborne allergens can make it difficult for them to breathe. These allergens generally cause breathing issues by forming thick mucus, which in turn obstructs the airways.
Some of the allergens that can trigger snoring in dogs are:

• Pollen
• Dander
• Household cleaning products
• Dust and
• Smoke

On most of the occasions, you might have to take your dog to a veterinarian to bring the concern under control. However, you can always resort to this option after trying out some simpler things like vacuuming the house or changing the air filter.

Sleep apnea

Dogs with the health concern called sleep apnea can indulge in extreme snoring. If a dog stops breathing while he is taking a nap and wakes up due to the same, he might be having sleep apnea. Obesity can trigger this condition and you can also notice the issue to be common with brachycephalic dogs.

If your dog is suffering from severe sleep apnea, his sleeping pattern will be drastically disturbed, which can make him lethargic. This is something that can deteriorate his health.

Airway obstruction

The dog breeds like brachycephalic dogs are born with breathing issues in response to the abnormality in their skull structure. This makes snoring common with these breeds especially bulldogs and pugs. If the snoring seems to be intensifying, surgery might be the only option to get the issue under control.

On some occasions, some objects that the dog tries to chew or bite into, can get stuck in his nasal passage or airway and obstruct it, which can lead to snoring. If you feel that your dog is physically fit and if you don’t see any of the above-listed reasons causing a concern, you might have to check for such obstructions.

You don’t always have to be concerned about your dog snoring, especially if it is minor and your dog is healthy. However, if the snoring seems to be extreme, triggered in a short notice or seems to be deteriorating the health of your dog by making him lazy or tired, consulting a vet is inevitable.