When it’s hot outside, a cold beverage and a gentle breeze are a welcome break from the heat. Likewise, dogs have their own ways of staying cool, such as panting and sweating through their paw pads. Aside from the weather, there could be other reasons your dog is panting. So, how can you tell the difference between normal and excessive panting?
Sometimes, panting can be a sign of serious medical issues that require immediate veterinary attention. Below, we spoke to a veterinarian about common reasons that dogs pant, when to be concerned, and what to do if your dog is overheating or showing other symptoms of distress.
Common Reasons That Dogs Pant
Dogs can pant due to a wide range of reasons, from excitement during a lively game of fetch to an underlying medical condition. Here are some of the most common ones, and how to know when your dog requires veterinary attention.
Physical Exertion
One of the most common reasons that dogs pant is overexertion during exercise or playtime.
“When they’re outside running, they can get physically exhausted and start panting,” says Dr. Danasia Perry-Kaliati, DVM, A, Associate Veterinarian at Mission Pet Health.
They might slow their running pace or lie down when they need a break, as panting tends to decline with rest.
Temperature Regulation
Another reason dogs rely on panting is that sweating plays only a minor role in keeping them cool. When dogs pant, the moisture on their tongues and airways evaporates, helping regulate their body temperature.
Heat also dissipates when a dog’s blood vessels expand. This expansion allows blood to get closer to the skin’s surface and cool down before traveling to other parts of the body.
“A normal temperature for dogs is 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit,” Dr. Perry-Kaliati says.
If their temperature gets above this range, this is known as hyperthermia (an abnormally high body temperature). It’s worth noting that hyperthermia is different from a fever.
“A fever involves your brain altering the body temperature to fight something like an infection,” she says. “Your body is changing your internal thermostat to help you get better.”
On the other hand, when a dog has hyperthermia, their body cannot compensate for the environment they’re in, Dr. Perry-Kaliati notes. If it’s too hot or humid, dogs can’t pant enough to cool down their body temperature. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion both involve hyperthermia and require immediate veterinary care.
Other ways to prevent hyperthermia include:
- Providing your dog with shade and cool water
- Limiting their time outside during peak heat
- Never leaving them alone in a parked car
Stress and Anxiety
Just as dogs pant when they’re excited, panting can also be associated with anxiety.
“I have a lot of patients who come in for a physical exam, and just being in the doctor’s office causes them so much stress that they start panting,” she says. “They might be under such emotional duress that it’s now becoming a physical sign.”
Another example ais anxious dogs that pant excessively because of loud noises like thunder or firecrackers.
Pain
While panting after exercise is a familiar behavior to most dog owners, it can also signal pain.
“Oftentimes, dogs who have arthritis come in panting,” she says.
Excessive panting can also follow an injury. Anxiety related to pain or discomfort a dog doesn’t understand may also contribute to panting. Dogs experiencing back pain or abdominal discomfort often present as panting and anxious.
Other signs of pain include:
- Vocalizing
- Trembling
- Limping
- Restlessness
- Rapid breathing
- Licking or biting at the site of pain or injury
Heart and Respiratory Conditions
Dogs with asthma, bronchitis, or laryngeal paralysis often pant because they aren’t getting enough airflow, she explains.
Panting can also be a sign of congestive heart failure in dogs, which can develop when fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to excessive panting or rapid breathing when a dog is at rest. These dogs don’t tolerate exercise well and tire out more easily. Heavy panting, coughing, and breathing difficulties can also occur with lung tumors, choking, or swallowing difficulties.
Cushing’s Disease
In middle-aged and senior dogs, panting at rest can be a sign of Cushing’s disease.
“Essentially, Cushing’s disease is an overproduction of cortisol, which happens secondary to a tumor that causes the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol,” she says. “Cortisol is a stress hormone, and when it becomes high, it puts a lot of stress on the body.”
Elevated cortisol levels can weaken your dog’s muscles. One of the first signs dog owners often notice is a pot-bellied appearance due to the accumulation of fat, combined with the weakening and stretching of their abdominal muscles.
“Sometimes the diaphragm, which is made up of muscles, can also weaken,” she says. “Simply trying to meet the demands of their body can lead to increased panting.”
Toxins and Allergens
“If your dogs get into a certain toxin, like rat bait, this can cause hyperthermia,” she says. “When your dog is experiencing hyperthermia, either from a toxin or from the environment, it’s important to share that background, so we can find the best way to help them.”
Along with panting, dogs might show symptoms like drooling, vomiting, lethargy, or exercise intolerance.
When you take your dog to the vet, share information on what your dog has ingested, including a photo of the product if possible. Examples of poisonous products include household cleaners, human medications, and foods that are toxic to dogs.
This information will help your veterinarian determine whether your dog needs bloodwork and assist in identifying treatment options or an antidote that can reverse the effect of the poison.
Signs Your Dog Needs Immediate Veterinary Care
As a dog owner, you know your pet best. If you notice any symptoms out of the ordinary, it’s wise to consult with your veterinarian.
“If there’s anything abnormal and your dog can’t settle or relax comfortably, that does need to be addressed by a doctor,” Dr. Perry-Kaliati says.
In addition, there are signs to look for when you’re trying to tell the difference between normal and abnormal panting, including the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dark red or bluish gums
- Ataxia (weak or unable to walk)
- Collapsing suddenly
- Muscle tremors
- Pigment in their urine (from muscle damage)
- Seizures in extreme cases
“A normal resting respiratory rate is between 20 and 35 breaths per minute,” she says. “When we see dogs entering that 40 to 60 breaths per minute range, that’s very concerning.”
At that point, dogs are not inhaling and exhaling deeply enough for an adequate exchange of gas to deliver oxygen to the rest of their body. Such cases require immediate veterinary attention. Other concerning symptoms include gasping for air or not having the strength to stand or drink water.
If your dog is panting while playing fetch, for example, they should resume normal breathing after resting, drinking water, or sitting in the shade.
We should see their respiratory rate or the number of breaths they’re taking in a minute start to go down,” Dr. Perry-Kaliati says. “But if that is not happening within a 35-minute window, and their breathing is getting worse, that’s when I would be concerned that they’re experiencing hyperthermia,” she says.
Another sign of trouble is an elevated body temperature. It’s helpful to know how to take your dog’s temperature at home. With hyperthermia, you would see a temperature of 104.5 or higher, she says. Other signs to look for are changes in gum color and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Normally, a dog’s gums should be pale pink.
“If their gums or tongue are starting to turn dark red, or blue or purple, it’s a sign they’re not getting enough oxygen and need immediate treatment,” she says.
hen the body is under a lot of stress, it will divert blood away from the GI tract. In fact, “one of the first organs that can be affected is the GI tract because the body is trying to maintain blood flow to vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart,” she says.
For this reason, it’s not uncommon for dogs to come into the clinic with reports of diarrhea. “Sometimes, this can progress to bloody diarrhea, because the GI tract can become so damaged that we need to put them on antibiotics,” she says.
What to Do if Your Dog Is Panting Excessively
Once you’ve ruled out overheating or overexertion as an explanation, here’s how to respond. Once your dog has had a chance to rest, their breathing should improve within five to ten minutes. If their respiratory rate remains high, Dr. Perry-Kaliati recommends getting your dog to a veterinary clinic within 30 minutes.
In addition, if your dog’s temperature is above the normal range, the goal is to cool them down as soon as possible, but safely. It might seem like giving your dog water or blasting the air conditioning is enough to get their temperature back to normal.
It’s important to know that when a dog’s body temperature gets that high, it can start to cause very significant damage to the organs,” Dr. Perry-Kaliati says. “We also want to lower their temperature in a controlled way.”
Avoid ice baths or ice packs, which could constrict the blood vessels in your dog’s front and back legs or cause them to go into shock. “We want blood to flow well because we’re using that as our mechanism to cool the body,” she says.
At the hospital, veterinarians have more effective ways to bring your dog’s body temperature down. For example, they can give your dog intravenous fluids to rehydrate them and distribute cool fluids throughout their body. While your dog’s temperature is coming down, they can perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your dog’s condition.
Why Follow-Up Care Matters
Even when a dog appears to recover after a panting episode, veterinary evaluation may still be necessary.
Imagine your dog is playing on the beach, and suddenly begins panting excessively before collapsing. Although immediate cooling is important, additional testing may be needed.
“You still need to take them to the doctor so they can be admitted and receive help, but also to do blood work to see if there’s any potential long-term damage that we need to monitor,” Dr. Perry-Kaliati says. Depending on the situation, veterinarians may recommend bloodwork, X-rays, or additional diagnostic testing.
Delaying treatment can increase the risk of complications, including acute kidney injury. Some dogs may ultimately require long-term medical management, dietary changes, or medications for conditions such as kidney disease or seizures.
Not every cause of excessive panting is an emergency, but it’s still important to have your dog seen by a veterinarian.
For example, “Cushing’s disease is a slow, progressive disease,” she says. “With Cushing’s, you might notice your dog panting or gaining weight even though you haven’t increased their food. So even though Cushing’s disease is not an urgent matter, it is still something that needs to be addressed.”
Key Takeaways
- Panting is a normal cooling mechanism for dogs and commonly occurs after activity or excitement.
- Excessive panting can also signal pain, heatstroke, respiratory disease, heart problems, or toxin exposure.
- Heavy panting combined with other symptoms should never be ignored.
- Pale or blue gums, difficulty breathing, or collapse require immediate veterinary attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do dogs pant when they're not hot?
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Dogs may pant because of excitement, stress, fear, pain, medication side effects, illness, heart disease, respiratory problems, or other medical conditions. If the panting seems unusual or excessive, consult your veterinarian.
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When should you worry about a dog panting?
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You should be concerned if panting is sudden, excessive, occurs at rest, or is accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, weakness, vomiting, pale or blue gums, collapse, or difficulty breathing. These signs may indicate a medical emergency that requires veterinary attention.
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How do you calm a panting dog?
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If your dog is panting because of heat or exertion, move them to a cool, shaded area and offer fresh water. If excitement or stress is the cause, create a calm environment and allow them time to relax. If panting is severe, persistent, or unexplained, contact your veterinarian.
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How can you tell if a dog's excessively panting?
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Excessive panting is often louder, faster, or more persistent than your dog’s normal breathing pattern. Warning signs include panting at rest, difficulty catching their breath, pacing, restlessness, coughing, weakness, or gums that appear pale or blue. Veterinary evaluation is recommended if these symptoms occur.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.