Why Do Dogs Pant? The Most Common Causes | Purina

Skip to main content

1. Home
2. Pet Care Articles and Advice
3. Expert Dog Care
4. Dog Behaviour
5. Common Dog Questions
6. Why Does My Dog Pant So Much?

Common Dog Questions Why does my dog pant so much? Purina Editorial Team November 26, 2020 5 min read Related topics Dog BehaviourExpert Dog CarePet Care Articles and Advice Aimee & Lily are here to help Our experts are here to help Get in touch with us directly any time, any way. Message us Discover our range of dog food Buy Now

Our dogs pant all the time, especially after a good walk or a fun play session. However, your dog panting is paired with additional symptoms or they’re panting excessively, it can be a sign of something more serious. Find out what you should be on the lookout for with our guide.

You will certainly be familiar with your dog paiting – and you’ll often seen when your dog is cooling down on a hot day or after an exciting play session or a walk. Characterised as rapid, shallow breathing, usually coupled with a big lolling tongue, this behaviour is normal and nothing to worry about.

However, there can be some occasions, such as when your dog’s panting can indicate something more serious.You may be wondering about the various reasons behind why dogs pant, so we’ve created this article about panting in dogs and the top reasons why your four-legged friend does this.

In This Article

• Why do dogs pant?
• 1. Dogs pant to cool down
• 2. They’re feeling anxious or stressed
• 3. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
• 4.Common Health Issues Related to Dog Panting
• Dogs and Heatstroke
• Allergic Reaction
• Breathing Difficulties in Dogs
• Cushing’s disease
• Pain
• Obesity
• Heart problems
• My dog is panting at night – what does it mean?

Why do dogs pant?

When dogs pant, it usually means they are hot and are trying to cool down. But there are other reasons why your dog may pant, which is why it’s always important to look at the overall situation and what the rest of your dog’s body language is telling you. Some of the most common reasons why dog’s pant are as follows:

1. Dogs pant to cool down

Unlike us, dogs can’t sweat through their skin to cool down. While they can sweat a little through their paw pads, the amount this is able to cool them down is limited. By panting, they quickly exchange hot air from their lungs with cool external air, which speeds the evaporation of water from their tongue, inside their mouth and upper respiratory tract. As this water evaporates it helps to regulate their body temperature, thus cooling them down effectively.

2. They’re feeling anxious or stressed

Dog’s may also pant when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. This type of panting can usually be seen with some of the following symptoms alongside it: repetitive yawning, pacing, licking lips, shaking or hiding – or just showing worried body language. You may see this type of panting if your dog’s scared of fireworks, when they’re on car journeys or during visits to the vet. Find out how to help a scared dog.

3. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

If you have a brachycephalic dog breed with a flat face and shortened or squashed nose, such as a French Bulldog, Pug or Boxer, then your dog’s panting may be due to ‘brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome’ (BOAS). Because of their anatomy, these dogs suffer from ongoing breathing difficulties as a result of a narrowed upper respiratory tract. Additionally, they don’t pant as efficiently as other dogs because their faces are flat, making them much more at risk of heatstroke or overheating as they can’t cool themselves down quickly.

4.Common Health Issues Related to Dog Panting

If your dog’s panting heavily and they’re not warm and don’t need to cool down, it could indicate a larger problem. Additionally, if their pants sound louder or harsher or they appear to be exerting more effort than usual, you should seek veterinary attention immediately as it could be a sign of one of the following problems:

Dogs and Heatstroke

Previous Next

1 of 1

Heatstroke in dogs can occur at any time but is most usual during the summer months, especially if they’re left in cars. If your dog has heatstroke, they’ll pant heavily and may appear to have difficulty breathing normally.

This can also be accompanied by disorientation and even collapse. Other symptoms may also include excessive thirst, high body temperature, glazed eyes, fast heartbeat and dark or bright red tongue and/or gums, disorientation and even collapse.

If you notice this, you should move them out of the sun to somewhere cooler immediately, run coolish water over them to help them lower their body temperature but most importantly you need to get them to a vet immediately as this can be fatal.

The easiest ways to avoid heatstroke is by not taking your dog out in hot temperatures (so, for example, in the middle of summer ensure you walk your dog early or late in the day when it is cooler), never leaving your dog in a hot car, and always taking water with you for your dog to drink.

Allergic Reaction

If you’ve recently started giving your dog a new medication, occasionally this can result in an allergic reaction. If they’re experiencing an allergy to something, your dog may pant a lot if struggling to breathe, and may also be lethargic or vomit.

Breathing Difficulties in Dogs

Your dog's excessive panting could also be due to respiratory problems such as pneumonia. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs or lower respiratory tract and is primarily caused by an infection. Other symptoms may include fever, difficulty breathing, lethargy and coughing.

Cushing’s disease

Cushing’s disease is caused by the adrenal glands releasing too much cortisol. Other symptoms may be present such as increased thirst, weight gain, thinning skin and hair and a pot belly.

Pain

Dogs can be exceptionally good a hiding pain, so much so that we often don’t discover that they’re in pain until much later. If your dog’s panting is due to pain this will be more noticeable and pronounced at odd times such as at night when they should be resting.

Obesity

If your dog is overweight, they may pant as they struggle to get fresh, oxygenated blood into their systems. If you suspect that your dog’s overweight, you should speak to your vet immediately as it can lead to more serious issues such as arthritis, heart failure and can also reduce their lifespan.

Heart problems

Heart problems can also cause your dog to pant a lot. Dogs with heart issues may pant consistently (even when not exercising) as they will struggle to catch their breath. Additionally, they may also cough and display a general weakness and tiredness.

My dog is panting at night – what does it mean?

If your dog’s panting at night and it’s not too hot in the room, it could be down to many things and you should take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis. It could be as a result of anxiety, particularly if your dog’s separated from you during the night, as they may feel stressed about being away from you.

If you suspect your dog’s panting at night is due to anxiety, consider moving your dog closer to you so they can sleep without stress ask advice from a behaviourist who can look at ways to manage this.

Previous Next

1 of 1

Panting is totally natural for dogs and all dogs do it when they need to regulate their body temperature. If however your dog is panting at other times, panting excessively, panting noisily or just panting in a way that is unusual for them, consult your vet.

Help us make Purina betterWas this article helpful? Feedback sentThank you for helping us improve the Purina experience.

Tell us a little more

Check all that apply:

I have not found an answer to my question Information is confusing or unclear These indications have not helped me Another issue Leave this field blank Written by Purina Editorial Team Our Editorial Team, made up of Purina pet industry experts, writers, and veterinarians, offers useful guidance to support pet owners in helping their pets live healthy, happy lives, covering topics like nutrition, training, daily care, and more.

Explore our dog brands:

c_brand_discovery (cat) Brand (field_product_brand) (entityreference filter) Adventuros Turn mealtime into an adventure, with Adventuros range. s Treats

ADVENTUROS® Wild Chew Small Venison Dog Treats

4.7 (72) Check out this product Treats

ADVENTUROS® Wild Chew Medium Venison Dog Treats

4.6 (260) Check out this product Treats

ADVENTUROS® Wild Chew Large Venison Dog Treats

4.5 (56) Check out this product Treats

ADVENTUROS® Nuggets Boar Dog Treats

4.7 (841) Check out this product Treats

ADVENTUROS® Strips Venison Dog Treats

4.7 (343) Check out this product Treats

ADVENTUROS® Sticks Buffalo Dog Treats

4.7 (395) Check out this product PreviousNext

Related articles

Common Dog Questions

Why do dogs wag their tails?

5 min read Common Dog Questions

Why do dogs have whiskers?

3 min read Common Dog Questions

Do Dogs Dream?

5 min read Understanding your dog

Understanding Dog Body Language

6 min read Newsletter

Sign up to our free pet-parenting newsletters!

We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'. Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey.

Advice and articles tailored to your pet's needs. Free access to our in-house team of vets, behaviourists and advisors. Discounts and offers from our brands. Join our newsletter Sign me up

Join over 500,000 other pet owners

TURN YOUR PET INTO

A FESTIVE pawtrait!

Try it now

Enter your email

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

See our privacy notice

Sign up to receive personalized offers, games, competitions and advice from Purina; it's fun, we promise!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

See our privacy notice

Try it now