If a dog has an infected tooth, the infection can travel up into the nasal cavities causing inflammation that leads to snoring. If this suspected, you will want to rule this out since an untreated tooth infection can eventually spread to vital organs including the brain and heart. All Boxers should have their teeth brushed at home, be given quality dental treats and have yearly oral examinations by a reputable veterinarian.
Aspergillosis -
While this fungal disease is rare, it should not be ruled out, especially for those that live in an area where a Boxer puppy or dog may have access to hay piles, mounds of grass clippings, dead leaves, compost piles and the like where this particular mold can grow.
The most common signs of this in addition to snoring include: Coughing (dry or coughing up brown mucus), fever, lethargy, wheezing and/or weight loss. There may also be headaches, pain (in the bones and in the chest area), shivering, skin lesions, vision issues and/or decreased urine.
Foreign Body -
We all know how Boxers are capable of swallowing things that they shouldn't (which can lead to
internal blockage
in some cases) and it is
also
always possible that a pebble or other object has become lodged in the nose.
With this, there will be sudden onset snoring with a dog that previously did not have a snoring problem. The Boxer may also paw at his nostril.
While you may be able to see the culprit by looking up the dog's nose with a flashlight, some Boxers will snort super deep and the object will be sucked up the nose, too far for you to see it. In most cases, a vet can detect it and remove it rather quickly.
Being overweight -
It is not uncommon for senior Boxers to have some weight gain and not have that super sleek, muscled look that they did when younger. Excess fat, especially around the neck and chest, can cause bulky throat tissue which exasperates any current issue with the soft palate common with this breed.
Since canine obesity is linked to diabetes, can cause orthopedic issues, puts a strain on the heart and is generally known to shorten a dog's
life span
by 6 to 12 months, you'll want to stay on top of this.
If your Boxer is 15% or more over his ideal weight, this can be considered overweight and if he is 30% or more than his ideal weight, it is considered obese. If your Boxer is too heavy and has a snoring problem, you'll want to speak to your vet regarding a gradual decrease of calories (while keeping quantity the same; accomplished by switching out high calorie ingredients for low calorie foods such as vegetables) and slowly increasing daily exercise.