Dog Breathing Heavy: Causes, Signs of Concern & Treatments

by Jaron Lukas June 1, 2022

Is My Dog Breathing Heavy?

If you can hear your dog's breathing, it is likely heavier than normal. You can check this by placing your hand on your dog's chest and feeling his heartbeat. If the pulse feels fast, that's another sign of heavy breathing. You should also count how many breaths your dog takes in a minute. If he's taking more than 30 to 60 breaths per minute, that could be cause for concern.

What is Normal Breathing for Dogs?

Dogs can breathe fast for a good amount of time while they run around playing, exercising, or exploring their environment. It's actually normal for dogs to take 10-35 breaths per minute when at rest with no cause for concern. While sleeping, dogs will typically take less than 10 breaths per minute.

It is also normal for your dog to take rapid breaths if he is excited, stressed by travel or a change in surroundings (e.g., being in the car), or experiencing changes in temperature and humidity levels due to moving inside/outside or changing weather conditions.

In general, puppies breathe faster than adult dogs because they have smaller lungs as well as higher heart rates and metabolism. Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced breeds) like pugs may also breathe faster than other breeds of dogs because they have shorter nasal passages that make it harder to get enough oxygen into their lungs

Dog Breathing Fast & Panting

The first thing you should know is that dogs pant heavily after exerting themselves. It's their way of cooling off, just as humans sweat. Dogs don't have sweat glands all over their body but rather in the pads of their feet and nose. Therefore, panting is how they regulate their temperature when it gets too hot, which is quicker than sweating does for humans.

Heavy panting also occurs when a dog is excited or anxious about something. Panting can be a sign of stress which can lead to other medical problems so if your dog seems to be panting excessively see a veterinarian immediately.

Additionally, dogs start breathing fast and panting when they are experiencing pain or discomfort. If you notice your pet breathing fast excessively for no apparent reason, give little bites of ice cubes or an ice cube wrapped in a wet towel as this will cool them down quickly and should reduce the heavy breathing within 10 minutes.

Dog Shallow Breathing, Rapid Breathing or Gasping

If your dog is gasping for air, this is a sign of respiratory distress or failure. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. If your dog's gasping worsens, they may lose consciousness. In this case, you need to perform CPR on your dog until help arrives. Your vet will be able to assist you over the phone if needed and provide step-by-step instructions on what to do.

If there are no signs of improvement after some time and no one is available to help you right away, here are instructions on how to perform CPR on a dog:

Locate heart by placing two fingers in the area where their left elbow bends.
Perform chest compressions by pushing down with both hands at a rate of 100 per minute.
Make sure you press hard enough so that their chest compresses approximately 1 inch (0.5 cm). Check their body response and adjust accordingly until you see an improvement in normal breathing pattern or until medical help arrives.

Dog Wheezing Sounds in Throat & Chest

Your dog may have a collapsed trachea, which is most common in small breed dogs.
Wheezing may occur with coughing or other respiratory symptoms.
If your dog has difficulty breathing, they may also have trouble eating and drinking.
You may notice that your dog's gums have a bluish tint (cyanosis). The vet will look for this during an exam and can run heartworm tests if they suspect the cause of wheezing is heart-related.

Puppy Shallow Breathing

If you hear your puppy breathing heavily, you don't need to panic. That being said, it is a good idea to keep an eye on them and bring them to the vet if their breathing doesn't return to normal.

A puppy's shallow breathing could signal hypoglycemia. This condition is more common in puppies than adult dogs because puppies' bodies are not as efficient at regulating blood sugar levels as adult dogs' bodies are. Puppies can develop hypoglycemia when they get too cold or when they're stressed (such as during weaning). If you're concerned that this could be the case with your pooch, keep track of how often they breathe in and out over the course of a minute (if their doggy breaths happen less than 30 times per minute, they should see a vet immediately).

Causes of Heavy Breathing in Dogs

There are a number of potential causes for heavy breathing in dogs, including:

Exercise intolerance. Just like people, some dogs can become short of breath if they overexert themselves during exercise or play. If your dog starts panting and gasping after a run at the park, he may just need to take it easy for a while.
Dehydration. Dehydration can cause rapid breathing in dogs and is particularly common in active animals who don't drink enough water on hot days (or who drink salt water while swimming). Make sure your dog has fresh drinking water available at all times, especially if you live somewhere warm.
Heatstroke. In addition to causing heavy breathing, heatstroke also causes excessive panting and can be fatal if left untreated. Signs of heatstroke include excessive thirst, increased heart rate, anxiety and confusion and thick saliva or froth around the mouth. To protect your dog from heatstroke: limit exercise on hot days; avoid leaving him unattended in a car; allow plenty of access to drinking water; never shave his coat completely; use air conditioning when possible; provide shade outdoors when necessary; make sure he has access to cool areas indoors with tiled floors that can be kept wet; and try putting ice cubes in his water bowl or rubbing his paws with damp towels before heading out into the sun.

Exercise Intolerance & Quick Panting After Exercise

Dogs that are not used to exercise may become breathless after a short period of activity. This is very normal and you don't need to take any action. However, if your dog is panting excessively after exercise, this could be a sign of heart or lung disease.

Signs of concern include:

Your dog shows signs of excessive panting after the exercise session has ended
Your dog pants heavily during rest periods when on a walk with little exertion by your dog (try taking shorter walks)

Dehydration & Excessive Thirst

```Dehydration can be a serious issue for dogs, especially for puppies. What does dehydration look like in your dog? What are the symptoms? If you notice your dog panting excessively and drinking lots of water, it could be a sign that you need to take action. ```

This article will answer questions like:

What is dehydration?
How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?
What are the symptoms of dehydration?
How can I tell if my dog is thirsty?

Heatstroke or Excessive Heat Exposure

Your dog can develop heat stroke in a variety of ways, but it often occurs when a dog’s temperature is elevated by more than two degrees. If your dog has not been drinking enough water and is left exposed to the heat, there’s a good chance they can overheat.

Some people assume that dogs are safe being left in cars because they have fur, but this is false. When the outside temperatures get too hot, the inside of a car can become dangerously hot very quickly—even if you leave the windows down. Never leave your dog unattended in your vehicle during periods of extreme heat or cold.

If you suspect that your dog has heat stroke, you should first check their body temperature with a rectal thermometer (between 104ºF–110ºF). You should also check for other signs of overheating like excessive panting, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.

If your pooch does begin showing symptoms of suffering from heatstroke, it’s essential to take immediate action to cool them down as fast as possible by:

Putting them under a fan or moving them into an air conditioned room until their breathing returns to normal (which could take up to two hours).
Do NOT submerge them under cold water! This will cause shock and increase stress on your pup's heart. Instead, use cool wet towels on their feet and trunk area only—avoid the head and neck region as this will increase blood pressure which could cause additional problems for him or her. A better option would be placing ice packs wrapped in cloth against these regions rather than using wet towels so long as there isn't any hair loss due to irritation from rubbing surfaces together too much when applying these methods for cooling off."

Respiratory Infections, Coughs & Kennel Cough

Respiratory infections include kennel cough, which is spread between dogs when they are in close contact. There are a number of reasons why your dog may be breathing heavily, with infections being one of the most common causes.

Signs & Symptoms

A dry hacking cough that can sometimes sound like your dog is gagging or vomiting
If a fever develops, you may notice that your dog refuses to eat and experiences lethargy

The most common cause of respiratory infections in dogs is a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, but there are also viral components as well. Veterinarians tend to recommend the Bordetella vaccine once every 6–12 months for dogs who go to daycare or boarding facilities, where they are around many other animals on a regular basis.

Heart Disease/Heartworm Disease (Cardiac Conditions)

Cardiac conditions (diseases or disorders of the heart) are another possible cause of abnormal breathing in dogs. Signs of cardiac disease include coughing, fainting, exercise intolerance, and weight loss in addition to heavy breathing. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, then you should consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Two types of cardiac disease that commonly cause abnormal breathing in dogs are heart disease and heartworm disease. Heart diseases typically involve problems with the valves or chambers of the heart that affect its ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body. Common causes include genetic predisposition (for example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a high incidence of mitral valve prolapse), infections such as endocarditis (bacterial infection), and cardiomyopathy (disease involving the muscle fibers).

Heartworm disease is a parasitic infection spread through mosquito bites that results in adult worms living within the arteries around the lungs and heart. These worms can grow to be up to 14 inches long! They most often migrate into this area after maturing inside their host’s body over several years since they were first introduced by an infected mosquito bite. Dogs develop coughing episodes due to inflammation caused by these worms as well as other problems such as respiratory distress which often leads them into seeking medical care late at night when it might otherwise not occur during normal hours."

Allergies, Anaphylaxis & Fainting (Syncope)

Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis

Your dog might be breathing heavily because he is having an allergic reaction, which could escalate into anaphylaxis. Allergies are never fun for anyone, but they can indeed become dangerous.

Allergic reactions: what to do if your dog has one

If your dog is having a mild allergic reaction to something, it might look like a few hives or other skin irritation. In that case, you should take him to the vet so he can get checked out and hopefully get some antihistamines. While you're waiting for an appointment—but not before calling the vet first!—you could try giving him some Benadryl at 1mg per pound of body weight (1/4 teaspoon for a 25-pound dog). Just be sure not to give him *too* much Benadryl; more than 2mg per pound of body weight (1/2 teaspoon) could cause problems with his nervous system. You should also monitor his breathing and call the vet immediately if he starts wheezing or coughing or becomes unresponsive.

Anxiety & Distress From Noise, Thunderstorms, Fireworks & Other Phobias

Dogs are very sensitive to loud noises, whether it be from thunderstorms, fireworks, or a party. They may show signs of distress such as panting and shaking when exposed to these types of sounds. To help comfort your dog during these events you may:

Keep him indoors and away from the sounds as best you can (close windows and doors).
Distract him with playtime, cuddling sessions, or treats.
Try playing music or turning on the TV at a normal volume to drown out some of the noise.

Remember that dogs are more sensitive than we are to ultrasonic sound waves. They can hear higher pitches and lower volumes than humans can. When they hear these frequencies they will naturally become anxious and nervous, which will cause them to pant and drool excessively in an attempt to calm themselves down. This can also lead them towards other behaviors like pacing around nervously or shivering uncontrollably from fearfulness induced by their heightened senses picking up on things we would normally not think twice about hearing ourselves if it weren't for our limited perception capabilities compared with that of theirs in relationality wise terms when talking about what's considered acceptable levels for each respective species-specific threshold points based on average averages across all demographics studies conducted within recent decades since there have been records gathered since before recorded history even began being recorded so long ago but now let's get back on track

Obesity & Weight Problems

If your dog is overweight, you can check their Body Condition Score (BCS) to see if they're in a healthy weight range. You can also consult with your vet to ask for advice on how you can help your dog lose weight.

With any breathing issue, it's important to take preventative measures as well, and for obesity and other weight problems, this means making sure dogs maintain a healthy diet and get enough exercise.

If your dog takes more than 30 to 60 breaths per minute, it's likely a cause for concern. Also be aware of other symptoms that might indicate an underlying condition.

Dogs are usually considered to be in the danger zone when their respiration rate exceeds 60 breaths per minute. Some experts recommend that you count your dog's respiratory rate only after they've been at rest for at least five minutes, and ideally after a period of calm breathing. They may have had an increased respiratory rate immediately following exercise or an emotional situation, but as long as they calm down within a few minutes it's typically nothing to worry about.

If your dog is taking more than 30 to 60 breaths per minute, it's likely a cause for concern. There are several other symptoms that could indicate an underlying condition that needs treatment:

coughing
nasal discharge (green mucus)
difficulty breathing
pale gums

If you see any of these symptoms along with rapid breathing, make an appointment with your vet right away.