Symptom · Dogs
Dog panting a lot: what it means and when to call the vet
Panting is normal after exercise, in heat or with excitement. Heavy panting at rest, at night, or with restlessness can mean pain, anxiety, heatstroke or illness. Panting with distress or collapse is an emergency.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Heat and exercise
- Anxiety — fireworks, travel, the vet
- Pain
- Heart or lung disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Anaemia
- Side effect of steroids
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome in flat-faced breeds
What you can do at home
- Move to a cool, shady place and offer water
- Count breaths per minute when your dog is asleep — under 30 is normal
- Note when panting happens and film it
- Avoid exercise in the heat
What the vet may do
- Check heart, lungs, temperature and gum colour
- Blood tests and chest X-rays
- Tests for Cushing’s disease
- Pain assessment
Prevention
- Walk in cool parts of the day
- Keep dogs lean
- Never leave dogs in cars
The details
Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, so it’s normal after a run. What vets want to know about is panting that seems out of proportion — at rest, in a cool room, or at night. Older dogs who pant and pace at night may have pain, Cushing’s disease or canine cognitive dysfunction.
The resting breathing rate is a useful number: if a sleeping dog regularly takes more than 30–35 breaths a minute, tell your vet, especially if your dog has a heart murmur.
Questions owners ask
Is dog panting a lot an emergency?
Usually it is not an emergency, but your pet should see a vet within 24 hours. Go now if you see: panting with collapse, confusion or bright red or blue gums (possible heatstroke or breathing failure); panting with a swollen belly and retching (possible bloat); noisy breathing or struggling to breathe; panting after a possible poisoning.
What causes dog panting a lot?
Heat and exercise; Anxiety — fireworks, travel, the vet; Pain; Heart or lung disease; Cushing’s disease; Anaemia; Side effect of steroids; Brachycephalic airway syndrome in flat-faced breeds.
What can I do at home?
Move to a cool, shady place and offer water. Count breaths per minute when your dog is asleep — under 30 is normal. Note when panting happens and film it. Avoid exercise in the heat.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts