There are quite a few reasons why a dog could be breathing fast, from exercise to injury to genetic conditions and more. Additionally, factors like a dog’s breed, personality, and age could impact whether fast breathing is concerning or natural. Read on to learn about the most common reasons a dog could be breathing fast and whether or not you need to seek veterinary attention.
They Are Regulating Their Temperature
After a bout of exercise or other exertion, dogs will pant (sometimes vigorously) to cool themselves down. By breathing fast, a dog can slowly bring their body temperature back to normal. They may also try to lie down somewhere cool, such as on a tile floor or near an air vent. It’s completely normal for your dog to breathe quickly if he or she was recently on a walk, chasing a frisbee (or squirrel), or playing with another dog.
Your dog may also be panting as a result of the temperature around them, especially if it is hot or humid. Dogs become overheated just like humans and use breathing to try and dissipate some of the heat building up in their body. If it’s hot outside or your air conditioning isn’t working inside, your dog may be breathing faster as a cooling measure. If this is the case, make sure to keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke.
Your Dog has a Genetic Condition
Breathing issues are almost synonymous with brachycephalic dogs at this point. Breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekinese are almost guaranteed to have breathing issues. Their characteristic squished, flattened faces and smaller nostrils negatively impact their respiratory system, making it hard for these dogs to breathe even when resting.
These breeds may need surgical intervention in order to alleviate their systems and bring their breathing down to a more normal rate. However, it’s possible that such dogs will always have respiratory issues even after surgery, so owners should limit exercise and keep a close eye on their pets.
Your Best Pal is Nervous or Stressed
Dogs that are nervous, stressed, or otherwise anxious may breathe fast as a symptom. If your dog is breathing fast because of a behavioral concern, you can consult your vet to discuss possible treatment. Anxiety meds are becoming increasingly common in pets, as are alternative treatments such as CBD products. Specialized training to build your dog’s confidence is another measure to help them calm down, for owners who want to avoid chemical treatment options.
Less ideal, but still another option is to get another dog. Dogs are social creatures and thrive best when they have company, in most cases. As such, your dog may simply be lonely if most of the people in your home are away for several hours at a time. A companion, such as another dog or cat, can help reduce their stress and keep them busy. If getting another pet is not a viable option and training is too expensive, you can look into DIY methods for managing separation anxiety.
It May Be Sick
There are a number of illnesses that can cause a dog to breathe fast. These include but are not limited to kennel cough, pneumonia, respiratory infections (bacterial or fungal), heart failure, tumors, cancer, anemia, heat stroke, asthma, a hernia, and more. Unfortunately, the illnesses that can cause rapid breathing are too numerous to list, in part because heavy breathing is a very common symptom.
If you believe your dog is breathing fast because they are sick, you should make a vet appointment as soon as possible. Describe the heavy breathing and any other signs of illness you’ve noticed so that your vet can begin narrowing down the possibilities. It may also help your veterinarian to know exactly how fast your dog is breathing.
In order to gauge how fast your dog is breathing, you’ll first need to figure out their regular respiratory rate. If your dog’s fast breathing is intermittent, time their breathing when it’s normal. Anything between 15 and 35 breaths per minute is average for most breeds. Most vets recommend making an appointment as soon as possible for anything over 40 breaths per minute while your dog is at rest (e.g., breathing normally).
If you are unable to measure your dog’s respiratory rate or your dog’s heavy breathing is intermittent, you can also take a video with your phone. This way, you can show the vet how fast your dog is breathing, even if your pet is not having a flare-up when the appointment happens.
Your Dog is Injured
Dogs often pant when they’re in pain, which means that your dog may be injured if they are breathing fast. The lungs, airways, and windpipes are the three main areas to be concerned about. Any injuries that compress, obstruct, or otherwise impact these areas could cause fast breathing. Some symptoms that indicate a lack of oxygen include:
- Blue gums or pale gums (this means oxygen levels are dangerously low and require immediate emergency care)
- Using stomach muscles to help with breathing (the chest and abdomen will be moving separately instead of in sync)
- A reluctance to move, eat, or drink
Because the lungs, airways, and windpipes are so vital to your dog’s health, you should schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible to find the cause. Even if your dog did something as simple as eat toy stuffing or a stick in the yard, there can still be drastic consequences. A vet will give your dog a full physical exam and run diagnostic tests like X-rays to check the lungs, airways, and windpipes.
Your Dog is Recovering
If your dog was recently sick or injured, they may be breathing fast as part of a normal recovery process. Dogs that are in pain may breathe more quickly than normal, such as during surgery recovery. Despite being concerning, in this case, the heavy breathing would be a sign of healing. You may also notice your dog sleeping more deeply and possibly panting in their sleep during recovery.
Similarly, if your dog is on any medication, one of the side effects may be heavy breathing. You should carefully research any meds your dog is on to see if panting is a normal side effect. If you cannot find a definitive answer online or from the medication itself (such as on a bottle or informational pamphlet), call your vet or whoever prescribed the meds to double-check.
