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. (Plus, the GPS and Health Tracker that could potentially save your dog’s life.) 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.

💡 Steps you can take

• 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.

Though this does raise the question…

🐶 How do you get your dog enough exercise – but also ensure they neither overheat nor over-exert themselves? 

Simple. Just set them daily Activity Goals and get a little healthy competition against other, similar dogs around the world!

💡 With its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity Tracker for dogs. Monitoring your buddy’s movements – and logging them in as “active minutes.”

Which, with time, can help you figure out:

• How much activity your dog gets on the regular,
• What’s a sensible amount of activity time you should aim for everyday,
• And where your dog ranks on your community leaderboard – i.e., against other, similar dogs (and dog parents) around the world!

So you can ensure your dog’s getting enough exercise throughout the day – without overexerting themselves or putting their health in danger. (With a little healthy competition to keep you motivated!)

Discover Activity Tracking

Because as it turns out, getting your dog enough exercise can help them regulate their behavior when they’re…

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

💡 Steps you can take

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.

⚠️ One of the ways anxiety, fear, or stress in dogs can turn up is if they run away from home – likely to find somewhere “safe.”

Yes, even your couch pug-tato can end up making a mad dash while out on a walk, if another dog, person, passing car, or a loud noise has spooked them enough!

(Not to mention all the shenanigans an outdoor dog can end up getting up to.)

💡 But if you’re using a Tractive device to monitor your dog’s activity…

…just head to your mobile app, hit “LIVE” – and track your runaway dog’s every move, as they make their every move.

🐶 Because with your trusty Tractive GPS strapped to your buddy’s collar, you can now track them:

• In real-time,
• Over an unlimited range,
• And even while on vacation (or 175 countries on a Premium subscription)

All with just a glance at your phone.

Discover Tractive GPS

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.

💡 Steps you can take

• Keep your dog’s sleeping area cool and clean.
• Watch out for any sneezing or coughing, which could signal an allergic reaction.
• If you’re tracking your dog’s active minutes via your Tractive mobile app, watch out for any dips or gradual drops. 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

💡Even better, your Tractive device comes equipped with a built-in Sleep Tracker. Logging in your dog’s every wakeup, snort, or sleepy shuffle – without you having to miss a second of your own night’s sleep.

So if you spot a weird drop in your dog’s Sleep score – drop by your vet right for a checkup right away.

Begin Sleep Tracking

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.

Now if you’ve got a primarily indoor dog, it’s a good idea to seal off these areas with baby gates or just never let your dog into them unsupervised.

But if you’ve got a dog that spends any amount of time outdoors – even with you around – there’s no telling just where they might end up getting a bite, lick, or taste of something that might poison them by accident.

💡 Though if you’ve got a Tractive device strapped to your dog’s collar…

You can just check their Heat Map and Location History:

…and figure out right away where your dog spends most of their time.

Which could include:

• Any neighboring fields or farmland, where they could come in contact with potentially toxic fertilizer or other gardening chemicals
• Any woodland near your property, where your dog might end up taking a hefty mouthful of another animals’ poop, roadkill, or even some careless hiker’s chocolate and raisins Trail mix.
• That one little spot in your backyard fencing that needs patching – from where they could be sneaking out to go beg for food from nearby picnicking families. (Where someone might feed them something off-limits to dogs entirely by accident.)

So you can intervene right away, inform your neighbors not to let your dog wander into their property, and escape-proof your home and backyard that much better.

Discover Location History

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

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.

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.

Can I prevent my dog from developing any of these conditions?

You absolutely can. 

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. 

Why your dog might be panting	Steps you can take
The heat or pain	Watch out for a drop in your dog’s activity – or if they have difficulties moving around. Overheating might turn up in the form of drooling or red gums.
Stress or anxiety	Watch out for WHEN your dog tends to pant or pace around – and keep an eye out for an escape attempt. Even the best-trained dogs can fall prey to their “flight” instinct when spooked enough.
Poisoning	Keep an eye out for common household items (like rat poison or antifreeze) and foods off-limits to dogs. Else, consider tracking where else outside home your dog might be running into these toxic substances in the first place.

💡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.

Likewise, with its GPS tracking, your Tractive device monitors everywhere your buddy’s off wandering throughout the day. Including places they might be coming in contact with harmful chemicals or toxic substances that could make them sick.

Just hit “LIVE” on your mobile app – and follow your dog’s every step, as they make their every step.

🐶 All this in one device – built with love for dogs and for your peace of mind as a dog parent.

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.

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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.