Panting is a completely normal dog behavior. But sometimes it can be a sign that something is wrong with your pup.
We break down the difference between normal and excessive panting and cover some potential causes to help you figure out what's going on with your furry friend.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs often pant to cool down or express excitement.
- However, excessive panting, especially when done for seemingly no reason, can be a sign something is wrong.
- If your dog is panting heavily because they are stressed or afraid, a CBD chew could help promote relaxation.
See More: Can Stress Lead to Loose Stool in Dogs?
Understanding Your Dog's Excessive Panting
Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:
"Panting is one of the most well-known dog behaviors. But excessive or unusual panting can be a sign something is wrong, such as stress or overheating."
When you think of classic "dog" behaviors, chances are panting is on the list. Panting in dogs is a completely normal behavior and, in many instances, nothing to worry about.
However, like many usually normal behaviors, heavy panting can be a sign that something is wrong. So if your dog is panting excessively, it's worth trying to figure out what's causing it.
That can be trickier than it might sound. Your dog's excessive panting might be caused by several different things.
We'll break down some common causes of excessive panting and point you to some ways you can support your furry friend.
But first, we need to break down why dogs pant in the first place.
Why Your Dog Is Panting
Panting is a specific kind of open-mouthed breathing. Their tongues might hang out of their mouths while they pant.
Normal dog panting might be due to heat or excitement.
Panting is one of the primary ways dogs regulate body temperature. That's important because dogs don't really have sweat glands that help cool them down as we humans do.
Increased panting helps increase the amount of water evaporated from your dog's mouth and lungs. That, in turn, helps cool their body temperature from within.¹
It also means they can lose a lot of water quickly. So if your dog is panting, it's often a good idea to ensure they have access to clean, fresh water, especially on hot days.
Certain kinds of dogs may be more prone to panting. One example is brachycephalic breeds, or short-nosed breeds. These are dogs bred to have a squashed or flat face, like bulldogs and pugs.²
Dogs that are overweight may also be more prone to panting. In part, that's because the extra body fat acts as a layer of insulation, making it harder for your pup to cool down.
Bonus: L-Glutamine vs Glutathione: What's the Difference?
Normal Panting vs. Abnormal Panting
Generally, the normal resting breathing rate for dogs lies somewhere around 15 to 35 breaths per minute.³
A higher rate doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong. For example, dogs often pant during or after exercise. That's often perfectly normal.
However, if your dog's breathing rate exceeds 35 or 40 breaths per minute, especially while they're at rest, that can be a sign something's wrong.⁴
The key is to look for unexplained panting or excessive panting. Examine your dog closely.
Is your dog excessively panting, even long after they finished exercising? Did the panting start while they were at rest, for no obvious reason? Are you seeing noticeably labored breathing? Is the heavy breathing paired with other unusual behaviors?
If so, there's a chance your dog's fast breathing is a sign something is wrong. The first step is to try to figure out what might be behind it.
Why Your Dog's Panting Heavily and What You Can Do
As we mentioned, several things can contribute to excessive panting in dogs. Let's break down some factors and cover what you can do to support your furry friend.
Stress
Dogs often pant when they are excited. This kind of panting might be shallow and accompanied by other signs of excitement, like whining.
However, a panting dog might also be stressed or afraid.⁵
One way to determine if this might be the case is to look for other signs of stress or fear. Examples include restlessness, a tucked tail, dilated pupils, flattened ears, drooling, lip licking, yawning, and shaking.
Another thing to consider is when the panting is happening. Did something stressful, like a car ride or loud noise, just happen? If so, that might have scared or stressed your pup.
If your dog is panting because of stress or fear, it's worth trying to help them maintain a normal emotional balance and manage normal stress.
Research suggests that CBD Can Do Just That.
For example, one 2024 study looked at dogs exposed to a stressful car trip. Dogs given CBD demonstrated reduced signs of stress, such as heart rate and whining.⁶
Another study similarly gave dogs CBD Chews before a stressful situation. 83% of the dogs demonstrated fewer stress-related behaviors.⁷
If you want to give your pup calming chews, Earth Buddy's are a great choice. Or Beef & Pumpkin chews each have 10mg of CBD, blended with fiber-rich pumpkin and delicious beef. Alternatively, our Duck & Apple calming chews each have 5mg of CBD, blended with nutrient-rich apple and tasty duck. These are Great For Digestion, too.
Heat
As we explained, panting is how dogs cool themselves down. But sometimes panting isn't enough to do that.
Excessive, rapid panting, even during rest, can therefore be a sign your dog is too hot. Other signs to look for include seeking shade, thick saliva, restlessness, a fast heart rate, and bright-red gums or tongue.
Overheating can be dangerous. If you think your dog is too hot, it's important to try to help them cool down.
The first step is to take them out of the heat, such as into a cool room. Make sure they have access to fresh, clean water. A fan can also help.
Getting your dog wet, such as by spraying them with or immersing them in cold water, can also help lower their body temperature.⁸
In one study, researchers trained dogs to dunk their heads in 22ºC water. This technique was found to be very effective at lowering the dogs' body temperature.⁹
Other Issues
Excessive panting can also be a sign of various other issues. If your pup is panting excessively and you aren't sure why, make sure to seek veterinary care. They'll be able to help you get to the bottom of things.
This is especially true if your dog's excessive panting is accompanied by other signs, such as pale or blue-tinged gums, extremely low energy, or collapse.
Conclusion
Panting is a completely normal dog behavior, often done when dogs are hot or excited. However, excessive or unusual panting can be a sign something is wrong, such as stress, overheating, or some other issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to Worry About Your Dog Panting?
Panting is a normal way for dogs to express excitement or cool themselves down. But if they are panting without any obvious reason, or panting excessively, it can be a sign something is wrong.
What Is the 3-3-3 Rule for Dog Stress?
The 3-3-3 rule is a guide to the typical timeframe for a newly adopted dog to adjust. It often takes adopted dogs three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine, and three months to feel at home.
How Do I Help My Dog Stop Panting
That depends on what is causing them to pant. Panting is often done because of heat or excitement, so you could try taking your dog to a cool, calm environment with access to fresh, clean water. If your dog's panting is excessive and persists, it could be a sign something is wrong.
Keep Reading: 6 Ways to Soothe & Calm Down Your Cat
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Sources
- Do Dogs Sweat? How Your Pet Stays Cool | Carey Animal Hospital
- Brachycephalic Breeds: Keeping Your Pet Safe
- Home Breathing Rate Evaluation | VCA Animal Hospitals
- Why is my dog breathing so fast? | Mooresville Vet
- Signs Your Dog is Stressed and How to Relieve It | VCA Animal Hospitals
- Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel | Journal of Animal Science | Oxford Academic
- CBD: What you need to know about its uses and efficacy | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Cooling Methods Used to Manage Heat-Related Illness in Dogs Presented to Primary Care Veterinary Practices during 2016–2018 in the UK
- Voluntary head dunking after exercise-induced hyperthermia rapidly reduces core body temperature in dogs
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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.
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