Dog Facts

Why Does My Dog Pant So Much? Understanding Normal and Excessive Panting in Dogs

Last updated: September 25, 2023

by Basepaws

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Is Your Dog’s Panting Normal or a Sign of Trouble?

Panting is normal in dogs, especially when the air is hot or the dog is excited. However, if you have noticed abnormal panting and restlessness in your dog, you may have wondered, “Why is my dog panting so much?” Dogs can experience heavy panting due to various reasons, such as discomfort or anxiety.

Excessive or abnormal panting also often signals an underlying health issue, but a timely visit to the veterinarian should help your dog get back to perfect health.

The article provides a detailed guide on excessive dog panting, its various causes, and practical tips on caring for a panting dog to help pet parents understand, assess, and act on abnormal panting.

What Is Panting and Why Do Dogs Do It?

Panting is a dog’s way of cooling themselves when it is hot because dogs lack sweat glands. They use rapid open-mouth respiration to decrease their body temperature and get oxygen into their bloodstream.

Brachycephalic breeds, such as French bulldogs, Boxers, and pugs, have short and flat smushed faces, which make it difficult for oxygen to reach the upper airways, and thus, they pant more.

What Counts as Normal Panting?

The normal resting or sleeping respiratory rate in dogs ranges from 15 to 30 breaths per minute.

The best way to know your dog’s normal respiratory rate is by watching them when they are resting. Count the complete breaths your dog takes in 15 seconds and multiply it by four, and you get the number of breaths in a minute.

It's important to know when our canine companions normally pant, such as during hot weather, after exercising, and when they are excited.

Here is a checklist to help you understand when dog panting is normal and when you need to call your veterinarian:

When Is Panting Considered Excessive or Abnormal?

Dogs normally pant when they are hot or excited. However, when the breathing becomes heavy and raspy, you must check your dog. Here are the signs that indicate you need to call the veterinarian:

Your dog’s breathing rate is over 35-40 breaths per minute while they are resting.
The dog is panting heavily during cool temperatures or when they have not exercised.
Their breathing is loud, raspy, or labored.
They are struggling to breathe and using abdominal muscles to get some air in.
Your dog’s gums are looking pale, dark, or blue-tinged.

Common Causes of Excessive Panting in Dogs

Some common causes of excessive panting in dogs include:

Heatstroke or Overheating

According to an article by The Vets, heatstroke occurs in dogs when their body temperature rises, and they do not cool down effectively. Dogs can only cool themselves down through panting or a little sweat from their paws. However, both of these methods are insufficient to cool their body temperatures.

Signs of heatstroke you should note include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, fast shallow breathing, dizziness, and depression. Also, a rectal thermometer reads over 102.5 F – this is a common sign. The pet should immediately have access to water, shade, and rest. The next step would be to call a vet.

To prevent your dog from heatstroke, always ensure they have access to water and shade outdoors.

Anxiety and Stress

Severe anxiety or stress is another reason dogs often breathe heavily. Your dog may display other body language cues such as pacing, whining, or hiding. It is important to take note of these signs.

More often, it is easy to identify the cause or triggers, such as fireworks, separation, or car rides. For instance, if they hear a firework in the neighborhood and become anxious, you can tell what the trigger is. However, this is not always true; sometimes stress triggers are not apparent and you may need to determine them.

In this case, you can try behavior modification with a certified behaviorist and calming products, like diffusers, to keep your dog stress-free.

Pain or Discomfort

If you’re wondering, “Why is my dog constantly panting?” pain or discomfort can be the cause of excessive panting in dogs. If your pet had an injury recently, this could be the reason why they are breathing heavily. However, hidden causes of pain include arthritis or dental issues. Discomfort due to arthritis is more common in older dogs. You can observe your dog’s behavior to identify if they are in pain.

According to an article by the VCA Animal Hospitals, visibly obvious behaviors that show they are in pain include difficulty sitting or lying down, limping/stiffness, reluctance to sit when asked, and visible discomfort while urinating or defecating. When you notice any of these behaviors, make sure to visit the vet for speedy treatment.

Medication Side Effects

According to PetMD, certain medications, specifically steroids like Prednisone, can be the reason for excessive panting in dogs. They may pant even when they are not stressed, hot, or excited. If you notice that your dog’s medication is causing abnormal panting, immediately consult your veterinarian.

Heart and Lung Conditions

If the dog has developed heart or lung conditions, you may notice that they tire more easily and breathe heavily or pant for a while even after a short walk. Other visible signs include coughing or breathing fast, fatigue, and blue-tinged gums and tongue.

The heart and lung conditions that cause excessive panting include congestive heart failure (CHF), abnormal heart valves, cardiomyopathy, lungworm, and pneumonia.

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by overactive adrenal glands leading to overproduction of the cortisol hormone. This disease typically affects middle-aged and senior dogs. The signs include excessive thirst/hunger, panting, and a pot-bellied appearance.

Anemia

You must be aware that red blood cells transport oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemia in dogs occurs when their red blood cells decline, which means low oxygen, causing increased panting or breathing. Other signs you may notice include lethargy and pale gums.

Breed-Specific Considerations

Brachycephalic dog breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, are more susceptible to excessive panting because of shorter snouts and narrow airways, making breathing less efficient. Also, double-coated breeds, such as Retrievers, Huskies, and Chow Chows, generally overheat easily in hot weather and pant to cool themselves off.

Senior dogs heavily breathe and pant more because of underlying health issues. Obese dogs may also pant excessively because of the extra pounds, which makes it harder for oxygenated blood to circulate in their body, according to an article by Daily Paws. You can ask your veterinarian to propose a diet and exercise plan for your dog to get them in shape and good health.

How to Check If Your Dog’s Panting Is Dangerous

While panting is normal for dogs, some signs show they need immediate help:

Count your dog’s breaths per minute while they are resting or sleeping. If the breath count is over 40 per minute, the dog is unwell.
The dog’s gums become pale, dark, or blue-tinged when they can’t get fresh air in, so check up on their gum color as well.
If you notice other symptoms with your dog panting a lot, such as restlessness, cough, vomiting, or drooling.
Recall recent activities or places your dog has been. This way you can identify the trigger and get them help accordingly.
You can try cooling your dog and note if the panting eases. If it does not help, get them checked immediately.

First Aid & At-Home Care for Panting Dogs

Understanding the dos and don’ts for caring for a panting dog is essential to keep our canine companions healthy and happy. Here is a checklist to help you care for your pet.

DO’S	DON’TS
Move your dog to a cool place	Do not offer icy water
Offer cool water	Don’t force them to drink and don’t offer a huge amount of water
Calm your anxious dog with a soft voice, petting, soothing music, or pheromones	Never give aspirin

When to Call the Vet

It is crucial to address emergencies and avoid delaying them. If you notice any signs of heatstroke, constant panting while your dog is resting, changes in their behavior, appetite (not eating/drinking), or urination, your dog’s condition isn’t so well.

Moreover, if you observe other symptoms along with panting, including vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse, this is a matter of concern. Immediately call your vet if your dog’s panting looks excessive, trust your instincts – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Prevention Tips for Future Episodes

Here are some practical tips to prevent future episodes of excessive panting in dogs.

Don’t take your dog for walks in peak heat
Make sure the pup has access to water and shade
Use calming techniques before stress triggers you know about
Regularly groom long-coated dogs

Even then, if your dog experiences abnormal panting, monitor for other symptoms and call your veterinarian immediately. A healthy dog is happier and more confident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What could be causing my dog to wake up panting?

They may be waking up panting due to pain or discomfort. Certain medical conditions, like Cushing’s disease, and heart or lung conditions, can cause panting in your dog, so check with your vet.

Why is my dog panting while lying down?

Dog panting while lying down can be a normal way to regulate their body temperature. However, if they are panting excessively, particularly while resting, it could indicate a serious underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Why is my dog panting when it is not hot inside my house?

Panting in a dog that is not hot or active can be a sign of numerous issues, such as anxiety, stress, pain, or underlying health issues.

Why is my dog constantly pacing and panting?

Pacing and panting in dogs can be a sign of stress, pain/discomfort, or underlying medical issues.

How to calm a panting dog?

To calm a panting dog, offer fresh water and move them to a cool and quiet area. If the dog is panting due to anxiety, offer gentle petting, pheromone therapy, or soothing music to help calm them.

Why is my dog panting at night? Why does my dog pant so much at night?

Dogs typically pant or show restlessness at night due to various reasons, such as stress/anxiety, pain or discomfort, or canine cognitive disorder (dog dementia). Panting could also be your pet's way of cooling their body, especially in hot temperatures, so it’s better to check with your vet.

Why does my old dog pant so much?

Some underlying ailments like heart disease, obesity, chronic bronchitis, or collapsing trachea may be a reason for the frequent panting.

Why is my dog panting so much all of a sudden?

Various factors, like exertion, overheating, anxiety, stress, or underlying medical issues, such as heart and lung disease, can lead to excessive panting in dogs. You must monitor your dog and contact your vet if the panting is sudden and persistent, particularly when it’s not hot or while resting.

Why does my dog pant so much in the car?

The temperature in your car may be so hot that your pet may pant a lot to cool off. This way, they maintain their body temperature. Be mindful of the temperature and take care of your pet by providing enough water.