Why is My Dog Panting So Much? And How Much Is Too Much?

A panting dog is a happy, well-exercised dog…right? If you’ve landed here wondering, why is my dog panting so much?, we do get it. While it’s a normal part of your dog’s breathing system, you wouldn’t be the first to wonder how much is too much – and whether it’s a cause for concern if your buddy’s huffing and puffing more than usual.

So in this post, we’re going to walk you through some of the most common reasons why dogs pant – from the everyday to the more serious causes, and how your dog’s activity is a window to their overall health. Let’s get started.

Why is my dog panting? 

Panting plays an important role in your dog’s health. It firstly helps them release heat and keep their body temperature stable – especially in the hotter months. Because as it turns out, dogs don’t sweat all over their bodies the way us humans do. Rather, they release heat through their tongues by panting. So it’s 100% normal if your dog pants a bit extra:

• After a long walk,
• After some vigorous training or playtime in your backyard,
• And when it’s warm outdoors

In fact, dogs might even pant out of excitement – like when you’ve whipped out their collar and leash and have just announced it’s time for walkies. (Or brought out their food bowls and their favorite pack of kibble.)

But why is my dog panting…for no reason?

Now if it isn’t hot outdoors and you two haven’t just come back from a walk – you might be wondering, why is my dog panting while resting? Or just out of nowhere? Which is where any extra huffing and puffing may be a cause for concern. Because it might signal that your dog is:

Overheating

When it’s hot or humid both indoors and outdoors, your dog may pant extra because they’re overheating. But some dog breeds might be more vulnerable to overheating than others. For example, Brachycephalic dogs, like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Mastiffs tend to have difficulties breathing because of their face and skull shape – both at rest and while out on walks. Which also puts them more at risk for overheating.

💡 What you can do

• Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, cool water and a shaded spot to rest in throughout the day.
• Consider early morning or late evening walks to avoid peak sun hours. 
• Likewise, try and avoid asphalt pavements that can end up feeling like a frying pan under your buddy’s paws.
• Watch out for other concerning signs like heavy drooling, restless pacing, red gums, or if they seem weak or disoriented. All of these signs may signal heat stroke, which is a potentially fatal condition if left untreated.

Under stress or anxiety

Every dog finds different situations “scary” – like riding your car, going to unfamiliar places, or just heading to the vet. So keep an eye out for WHEN your buddy tends to start panting out of nowhere. It’s an important clue that they might be feeling stressed, anxious, or scared.

Which could include triggers like:

• A big change in routine, like moving to a new house, city, or even country,
• Traveling, including riding in cars and airplanes,
• A new housemate – like a baby or a new pet,
• Being left home alone while you head to work – especially if they already have separation anxiety
• Loud noises, including thunder, fireworks, or even the crying baby next door
• A change in diet, outdoor privileges, or anything else they’re used to

💡 What you can do

Keep an eye out for the signs of anxiety in dogs. Including shaking, pacing, and even hiding – all of which can signal severe anxiety or even a panic attack. In the short term, comforting your dog, getting back to a predictable routine, and setting up a calming home environment can help.

• Think toys, a blanket or sweater with your scent, and some soft music (or white noise) to block out any “scary” sounds outdoors.
• A quiet space to safely retreat and hide can help your dog feel less overwhelmed. Just make sure it’s somewhere they can enter and leave easily. (And not some risky or hard-to-escape spot, like under your car or in a washer or dryer!)
• Else, your vet can also advise you whether your dog could benefit from special training, including behavior therapy, or anti-anxiety medication.

Eaten something weird

(Most) dogs aren’t picky eaters. Their repertoire includes table scraps, leftovers from unattended plates, small toys, and even poop. (Their own – as well as other animals’!) Which means they might pant extra if they’ve actually swallowed something potentially toxic to dogs, including:

• Raisins,
• Chocolate,
• Antifreeze,
• Rat poison,
• Or even common gardening items, like snail bait

All of which you can find around your kitchen, cabinets, counters, garages, bathrooms, and even your own backyard. So it’s a good idea to seal off these areas with baby gates or just never let your dog into them unsupervised.

Experiencing another medical condition

Sadly, a whole range of serious health conditions can cause your dog to pant more than usual. Including:

• Cushing’s disease, which is a hormonal condition affecting your dog’s adrenal glands. It may turn up as excessive panting – especially at night or when resting.
• Respiratory problems, including asthma, infections, allergies, and sleep apnea can all cause your dog to pant more than usual. Watch out if your dog seems to be breathing weirdly – wheezing, struggling to breathe, or coughing while asleep.
• Heart problems, especially in older dogs that may struggle to get enough oxygen to their bloodstream. Leading to excessive panting, even when resting or at night. Watch out for any coughing, lethargy, or swelling in their bellies.

Read more: Your Dog Heart Rate Guide: What’s Normal & What’s Not

In pain or discomfort

Scrolled down here wondering, why is my dog panting at night? Sadly, another reason behind excessive panting in dogs – especially around nighttime – could be that they’re struggling with pain or something uncomfortable in their environment. 

This might turn up as your dog:

• Restless around their usual bedtimes,
• Struggling to lie down or get comfortable,
• Shaking in their sleep,

In many cases, it could be something in their environment making it difficult for them to relax and get a good night’s rest. Like, for example, a too-warm room or even dust near their sleeping area, which could trigger an allergic reaction. In other cases, dogs experiencing painful mobility-affecting conditions like arthritis may pant more than usual at night as they try and manage their discomfort.¹ Else, it could signal them trying to tough out an illness or injury.

If you have a senior dog at home, watch out for signs like your dog waking up more than usual – or seeming groggy and out of it throughout the day. A change in a senior dog’s sleep cycles may signal the start of canine cognitive decline, including conditions like dementia.

💡 What you can do

• Keep your dog’s sleeping area cool and clean.
• Watch out for any sneezing or coughing, which could signal an allergic reaction.
• Your dog’s activity levels are a window to their overall health – which is why vet’s recommend you:

“Keep track of your dog’s energy levels, especially how long they are able to walk.

If you notice significant declines, it could be a sign of pain, heart disease, or other illness.”

– VCA Animal Hospitals²

When you should drop by your vet

While you know your dog best-  if something feels off, you’re best off heading to your vet. Take a video to show them in case your dog’s panting occurs in fits and bursts.

Because if you notice any of these signs, it may count as a medical emergency:

• Sudden, excessive panting – seemingly out of nowhere (and when any environmental culprits aren’t the cause)
• Excessive twitching or trembling in sleep, which may indicate a seizure,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Excessive drooling,
• Red gums,
• Labored breathing,
• Limping or difficulties getting around,
• A pot-bellied appearance,
• A loss of appetite,
• Lethargy,
• Hair loss,
• Frequent peeing,
• A tongue that seems blue, purple, or gray

So keep your vet’s number on speed dial – and drop by for a checkup right away.

What to expect at your vet’s

Your vet will most likely begin with a physical examination, checking your dog for any injuries, visible sores or infections, or what might be causing any respiratory trouble. 

They might recommend diagnostic tests including blood tests, X-rays, or an ultrasound to rule out heart problems or other internal issues.

Based on what’s causing your dog’s panting, your vet might prescribe:

• Fluid therapy to deal with any symptoms of heat stroke,
• Pain relief medication, if it turns out to be due to an injury,
• Joint supplements, in case arthritis turns out to be a cause. Your vet can also best advise you on how to set up a supportive home environment in case your buddy’s having mobility issues.
• Antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, in case the panting is triggered by an infection,
• Antihistamines, in case it turns out to be due to an allergic reaction,
• Special heart medication, including diet changes to support your buddy’s heart health,
• Special medications that help reduce your dog’s level of the hormone cortisol, which can help against Cushing’s disease.

In all cases, make sure to follow your vet’s instructions to the T and follow any medications for the full course. (Meaning, even if your dog seems to be getting better.)

Likewise, avoid giving your dog any medication that’s meant for humans, since these might be toxic to animals.

Where an Activity Tracker for dogs can be a lifesaver

Your dog’s not likely to come complaining to you when they’re in pain, stress, or discomfort. All you’ve got are their observable behaviors – like their activity and overall energy level. If your dog seems less active than before, it could be a red flag.

Which is where the actionable data you get from an Activity and Sleep Tracker for dogs can actually help you pick up on a sickness before it has a chance to worsen.

With its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive GPS logs in your dog’s movements all day long. (As “active minutes.”)

Which, with time, can help you figure out:

• How active your dog is on the regular,
• Where your dog ranks on your community leaderboard – i.e., compared to other, similar dogs,
• And if there’s a weird spike or drop in your dog’s active minutes – which could signal something’s wrong.

So you can spot a change early – and drop by your vet for a checkup right away.

Discover Activity Tracking

Manage your buddy’s huffing & puffing with ease – for good

More often than not, a bit of panting isn’t cause for concern. But if it’s accompanied by these worrying signs, you’re best off heading to your vet right away:

• Sudden, excessive panting – seemingly out of nowhere (and when any environmental culprits aren’t the cause)
• Excessive twitching or trembling in sleep, which may indicate a seizure,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Excessive drooling,
• Red gums,
• Labored breathing,
• Limping or difficulties getting around,
• A pot-bellied appearance,
• A loss of appetite,
• Lethargy,
• Hair loss,
• Frequent peeing,
• A tongue that seems blue, purple, or gray

Which may result from a combination of overheating, stress, anxiety, pain, poisoning, or another serious medical condition. But on the bright side, with a little vigilance and the support of your vet, you can watch out for the subtle changes in your dog’s behavior that can signal something’s wrong. 

💡And if you’ve invested in a Tractive device…

You now have the actionable data from your dog’s Activity and Sleep Tracking to share with your vet – and spot an illness, infection, or injury much before it has a chance to worsen.

“Absolutely love this tracker…it gives great insights on (our dogs’) activity and sleep levels.

I’m comforted knowing that if they started acting strangely or the data shifted drastically that we could take them to vet potentially before we would notice something wrong.

Can’t recommend this tracker enough!“

– Eva, US (Source: Trustpilot)

Stay on top of your dog’s wellness

Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.

Discover Tractive GPS

Here’s a video covering 8 causes of excessive panting in dogs – could yours be one of them?

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.

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Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.

This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.

Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).