Why Is My Dog Panting So Much? 12 Causes & When to Worry

Why Do Dogs Pant?

Unlike humans, dogs can't regulate their body temperature through sweating (they only have sweat glands in their paw pads). Instead, they pant - rapidly breathing with their mouth open and tongue out - to cool down.

When a dog pants, moisture evaporates from their tongue, nasal passages, and lungs, which helps dissipate heat. A normal panting rate is 10-30 breaths per minute, though this increases significantly when hot or after exercise.

Normal reasons dogs pant:

Cooling down after exercise or play
Being in a warm environment
Excitement or anticipation
Mild stress (car rides, vet visits)

Normal vs. Excessive Panting

Normal Panting

* Occurs after exercise or in heat
* Stops once dog cools down
* Relatively quiet
* Dog seems comfortable
* Pink gums
* No other concerning symptoms

Concerning Panting

* Constant even while resting
* Louder or more labored than usual
* Occurs at night without cause
* Dog seems distressed or restless
* Pale, blue, or bright red gums
* Combined with other symptoms

12 Causes of Excessive Panting in Dogs

1. Overheating / Heatstroke

This is an emergency. When dogs overheat, they pant heavily to cool down. Signs of heatstroke include: excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, diarrhea, staggering, and collapse. Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs) are at higher risk.

What to do: Move to a cool area, offer water, apply cool (not cold) water to paw pads and belly, and get to a vet immediately.

2. Pain

Dogs often pant when they're in pain. This could be from an injury, arthritis, dental problems, or internal issues. Pain-related panting often occurs at rest and may be accompanied by restlessness, reluctance to move, or changes in behavior.

3. Anxiety and Stress

Stressed or anxious dogs pant, even when not physically hot. Triggers include thunderstorms, fireworks, separation anxiety, car rides, or new environments. Other signs include pacing, trembling, drooling, and trying to hide.

4. Heart Disease

When the heart isn't pumping efficiently, dogs may pant to compensate for reduced oxygen. Heart disease panting often worsens at night, during rest, or after minimal activity. Other signs: coughing (especially at night), fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, and fainting.

5. Respiratory Problems

Conditions affecting the lungs or airways cause labored breathing and panting. This includes pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, and lung tumors. Look for: coughing, wheezing, noisy breathing, and blue-tinged gums.

6. Cushing's Disease

Cushing's disease (excess cortisol production) is a common cause of excessive panting in middle-aged and older dogs. Other symptoms include: increased thirst and urination, pot-bellied appearance, hair loss, and increased appetite.

7. Obesity

Overweight dogs pant more because they have to work harder to move and regulate temperature. Extra fat also insulates the body, making it harder to cool down. If your dog pants with minimal activity, weight may be a factor.

8. Fever / Infection

Dogs with a fever pant to try to lower their body temperature. Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal) can cause fever. Other signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, warm ears, and runny nose. Normal dog temperature is 101-102.5°F.

9. Anemia

When there aren't enough red blood cells to carry oxygen, dogs compensate by breathing faster. Signs of anemia include: pale gums (check inside lips), weakness, rapid heart rate, and reduced appetite.

10. Medication Side Effects

Certain medications cause increased panting, especially: prednisone/steroids, thyroid medications, opioid pain medications, and some seizure medications. If panting started after a new medication, consult your vet.

11. Poisoning / Toxin Exposure

This is an emergency. Many toxins cause rapid breathing and panting, including: xylitol, chocolate, antifreeze, rat poison, and certain plants. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse.

12. Cognitive Dysfunction (Senior Dogs)

Older dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia) may pant at night, seem confused, pace, and have disrupted sleep patterns. This is more common in dogs over 11 years old.

When It's an Emergency

Seek Emergency Vet Care If:

* Gums are pale, blue, white, or bright red
* Panting is very sudden and severe
* Dog is collapsed or very weak
* There's been exposure to a toxin
* Panting is accompanied by a distended belly (possible bloat)
* Dog is struggling to breathe or making concerning sounds
* Dog has been in a hot car or outside in extreme heat
* Combined with vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures

What to Do About Excessive Panting

At Home

Cool them down: If overheating, move to AC, offer water, apply cool cloths
Reduce anxiety: Remove stressors, try calming music, consider anxiety aids
Monitor closely: Note when panting happens, how long it lasts, and other symptoms
Check gum color: Pink is normal; pale, blue, or bright red needs vet attention
Review medications: Note if panting started with new medications

When to See a Vet

Panting at rest with no obvious cause
Panting that continues for hours
Panting that wakes your dog at night
Panting with coughing, lethargy, or appetite changes
Any signs listed in the emergency section above

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog panting so much?▼

Dogs pant to cool down (they can't sweat like humans), but excessive panting can indicate: overheating/heatstroke, pain, anxiety/stress, heart or lung disease, Cushing's disease, obesity, fever, poisoning, or medication side effects. If panting seems excessive or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult your vet.

How do I know if my dog is panting too much?▼

Normal panting is shallow and stops once your dog cools down or calms down. Concerning panting is: constant even at rest, louder or harsher than normal, accompanied by coughing or difficulty breathing, occurring with pale/blue gums, happening at night without apparent cause, or combined with lethargy, loss of appetite, or behavior changes.

Why is my dog panting at night?▼

Nighttime panting can indicate: pain (arthritis often worse at night), anxiety, cognitive dysfunction in senior dogs, heart disease, Cushing's disease, fever, or simply being too warm. If your dog regularly pants at night for no apparent reason, see your vet to rule out underlying conditions.

When should I take my panting dog to the vet?▼

See a vet if panting is: sudden and severe, accompanied by blue/pale gums, occurring with collapse or weakness, combined with vomiting/diarrhea, happening with a distended abdomen, continuing for hours without relief, or your dog seems in distress. These can indicate emergencies like heatstroke, bloat, or heart failure.

Is it normal for dogs to pant when not hot?▼

Some panting when not hot is normal - dogs pant when excited, stressed, or after exercise. However, constant panting at rest in a cool environment is not normal and may indicate pain, anxiety, respiratory issues, heart disease, or hormonal disorders like Cushing's disease. Monitor for other symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Panting is your dog's natural cooling system, but excessive panting can signal something wrong. Pay attention to when, where, and how your dog pants. If panting seems out of proportion to activity level or temperature, happens at unusual times, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's worth investigating.

When in doubt, a vet visit can help rule out serious conditions and give you peace of mind.