Why is my dog panting a lot?
Along with walkies, treats and cuddles, panting is part of life for a happy and active dog. But if you recognise your dog panting a lot or notice your dog panting for no reason you may need to investigate further.
Read on to learn why your dog keeps panting and when you need to intervene as a pet owner.
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Why do dogs pant?
Think about your dog – or any other dog you’ve owned or simply hung around with – and the unmistakable sound of them panting will likely come to mind.
Panting – how your dog breathes in and out – is normal for healthy, active canines . But excessive panting in dogs can be related to environment factors such as the weather and their immediate surroundings or be linked to their health, breed, mindset and prescribed medications.
But what are the reasons dogs pant?
To stop them overheating
The main reason why dogs pant is to keep themselves cool. As humans, we regulate our temperature by sweating – through a process known as evaporative cooling, where your body heat is used to evaporate the sweat. It’s different for dogs. Though they do sweat, a dog’s sweat glands are primarily in their paws.
However, there are not enough glands in their paws to cool your pet down. So, when the weather heats up, dogs can’t rely on sweating to cool down like we can.
Panting helps to evaporate moisture from the lining of the nose, mouth and the surface of the tongue. If your dog is panting too heavily, it could be a sign of overheating so make sure there’s plenty of cool water and shade available.
In response to stress
Nobody wants their dog to feel uncomfortable, but stress is another reason your dog may be panting a lot. Pooches can go through rough patches too, after all. You can tell whether your dog is panting due to stress by looking at their behaviour and movements. For example, are they wide-eyed? Are they avoiding eye contact with you? Are they whining and yawning? When combined with panting these are signs your doggo is stressed out.
When they’re having fun
Do dogs pant when they are happy? Yes, they do. In the same way it can be a sign of stress in a dog, excitement and having fun is another reason why dogs pant. You can usually tell if your dog keeps panting because they’re excited by looking out for physical behaviours like yawning and looking away while waving their tongue and nodding their head. And by the tone of the panting. If the pants are shallow and come fast, your dog is likely excited.
Because of their medication
The medicines they have been prescribed can also be a reason your dog is panting a lot. For example, a type of immunosuppressant or anti-inflammatory steroid medication called Prednisone can cause excessive panting in dogs as a side-effect . If you notice your dog is panting more than usual after Prednisone has been administered, speak to your vet.
Medical conditions
Panting in dogs can also be a symptom of heart disease or respiratory disease. But if your dog’s panting is related a serious medical condition there will be other visible symptoms as well as the panting itself. Lethargy, lack of stability, blue gums, and shaking to name but a few. If you’re concerned about your dog panting more than usual and you notice other symptoms, you should speak to your vet.
Why is my dog panting and restless?
If you notice excessive panting in your dog, or that they’re panting more than usual and becoming restless, it may be their way of telling you they are uncomfortable or unwell. They could be dangerously too hot, in pain, or have even been poisoned.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be damaging to your dog’s health. It happens when they get too hot, and one of the main symptoms to look out for is excessive panting. Dogs pant to cool down, but if their panting becomes heavy and continuous and they are struggling to breathe, it could have developed into heatstroke, which develops when a dog’s internal temperature reaches above 41°C. They may also be unstable on their paws, be sick or have diarrhoea.
Dogs with flat faces or thick or long fur, or dogs that have existing problems with their heart or breathing, can be more at risk of heatstroke. If you notice your dog is panting a lot and it’s a French Bulldog, Greyhound, Boxer, King Charles Spaniel or another breed at greater risk of heatstroke, you will need to act. Contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has heatstroke. You should also move your dog into the shade and spray them with water to help them cool them down if possible.
Pain
Another reason for excessive panting in dogs is pain or nausea. Nausea is loosely defined as the feeling or sensation your dog has before they are physically sick – and panting is a known symptom of nausea along with drooling, shaking, retching and more.
Similarly, if your dog is panting a lot, it could be a sign they’re in pain. Dogs typically try to hide their pain from their owners, but by observing how they act and move you can get an idea of their discomfort. And one of the things to look out for here is panting. Other signs of pain include them twitching their muscles and arching their back.
Poisoning
No-one wants to think about their dog being poisoned, but sadly this can happen. For example, slug and snail pellets that include the chemical metaldehyde can be fatal if eaten by your dog. If your dog suffers metaldehyde poisoning, they may twitch and struggle to be stable on their feet.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed to people, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can be poisonous if a dog gets hold of them. Chocolate too can make your dog seriously ill.
Heavy panting can be a sign your dog has ingested something toxic to them . Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has been poisoned.
Why is my dog panting while resting?
Panting is normal in a dog who has just done their morning laps around the park or is fresh from playing with their family or doggo friends. But what if your dog is panting for no reason?
If your dog is panting a lot while they are at rest, then you should get them checked out by your vet. Conditions that can cause heavy panting in a dog at rest include:
Heart disease
Dogs can experience heart problems just like humans. If your dog has heart disease (chronic heart failure), panting while resting could be a symptom. Other symptoms of heart failure in dogs include coughing and difficulty breathing . They may also be less willing to go out for their regular walks.
Types of heart disease in dogs include mitral valve disease (MVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to heart failure, including the Cavelier King Charles Spaniel and the Doberman.
Obesity
Obesity can be as much of a problem for dogs as it is for people. Excessive panting is one sign of obesity, but other things to look out for include tiredness and a lack of interest in exercise and play. Obesity can lead to other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s weight.
Cushing’s syndrome
With Cushing’s syndrome your dog’s body produces an excess amount of the stress hormone cortisol. Technically known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s disease occurs when your dog’s adrenal gland overproduces cortisol. Heavy panting while your dog is resting is one symptom of Cushing’s disease. Others include your dog drinking a lot more water and needing to wee more.
Respiratory disorders
Respiratory disorders affect the lungs and their airways. Highly common in people, respiratory disorders can affect dogs as well. The main examples include pneumonia, lung tumours and laryngeal paralysis. Symptoms to look out for include rapid breathing and continuous panting as well as laboured breathing, difficulty standing straight and struggling to settle. Blue gums are another symptom to look out for (which can be due to a potential lack of oxygen).
What to do if you’re worried about your dog’s panting
It can be difficult to tell normal, heathy panting from excessive panting in dogs. Here are some tips to help you work out what to do next if your dog is panting more than usual.
What is your dog doing while panting?
If your dog is panting after a long walk, after you’ve given him a treat, or he’s been playing with his dog friends, things are likely ok. But if your dog is panting for no reason, while they’re resting or sleeping, this will likely need to be investigated by your vet.
Are there other symptoms?
What else is going on with your dog while they are panting a lot? Are there symptoms you can see? For example, if they’re struggling to stand on their feet and have blue gums as well as the panting, they may have a respiratory illness. If they’re looking heavier and are also avoiding play and exercise as well panting, they may be obese.
Are they overheating?
If your dog gets too hot and is panting a lot, it could be a sign of heatstroke. In this scenario, you must cool your dog’s temperature fast. Get them out of the sun, spray them with cold water from a hose, give them water to drink, and call your vet.
Concerned? Call your vet
If your dog is panting a lot for no visible reason and you’re worried, then calling your vet is the best course of action. Your vet will examine your dog and tell when whether what they’re experiencing is normal, healthy panting in dogs or whether it’s excessive panting that needs to be investigated further.
Sainsbury’s Bank Dog Insurance
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FAQs
When should I worry about my dog’s panting?
If you notice your dog panting for no reason, for example when they’ve not been out for walk or run, or haven’t been playing and excited, it could be a cause for further investigation. If your dog is panting a lot, it could be a sign of heatstroke, stress, poisoning, an issue with medication or various health conditions.
Why is my dog panting when doing nothing?
If your dog is panting when doing nothing it could be a sign that something is wrong. If a dog is panting a lot while at rest, it could be linked to health-related issues including obesity and respiratory problems as well as conditions like heart disease or Cushing’s syndrome.
Do dogs pant when they’re happy?
Yes, dogs do pant when they’re happy. Research shows that when a dog is excited and has been playing it’s more likely to pant a lot. If they’re excited and happy, say, in response to you giving them a treat, their panting will be rapid and shallow and not anything to worry about.
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