Why does a dog pant? Tips and Tricks

Many Dogs Pant When They Play

Panting may simply be a sign of happiness in your dog. If so, the rest of your dogs body language will reflect this happy mood. The tail will usually be wagging in a happy way. Your dogs body and facial features will be somewhat relaxed. The eyes will appear bright and happy. Once things calm down, the panting will slow down and eventually stop. Continued mild panting with an open mouth and bright eyes is normal in a relaxed, content dog. In fact, many people consider this to be a doggie smile.

Dogs are pretty good at hiding pain and illness from humans. Some dogs try harder than others to hide their discomfort. However, once they reach a certain level of discomfort, they often cannot help but show signs, such as panting. Look for other signs of illness or pain, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, limping, pacing, and behavior changes. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog is sick or injured.

These are just a few of the possible reasons why your dog may be panting:

Dogs with a high fever may pant to help lower their body temperature.

Medications given by the veterinarian may increase respiration or prompt panting.

A very full stomach or bloat may also cause your dog to pant, sometimes in preparation for vomiting. This can be an emergency and your pet should be evaluated immediately if they are vomiting or dry heaving.

Cushings disease, a condition caused by excessive production of the stress hormone cortisol, can cause excessive panting.4

Laryngeal paralysis, a condition where the muscles that open and close the larynx at the back of the throat are weakened or paralyzed, is another cause of panting. This condition is more common in older medium to large breed dogs such as Labrador retrievers. The panting is often accompanied by a high-pitched wheezing noise known as stridor.

What Is Panting in Dogs?

Moderate to rapid open-mouthed respiration is a normal dog and puppy behavior that lowers body temperature and also gets oxygen into the dogs bloodstream. The panting dog breathes with its mouth open and tongue somewhat protruding.

Panting as a cooling mechanism is necessary because dogs do not have an effective system of sweat glands like people do. Instead, dogs cool their bodies using the evaporation of moisture from the mouth and tongue, and by exchanging the hot air of their lungs with cooler external air.

Panting should not be confused with labored breathing. Labored breathing is characterized by strained respiration and may be accompanied by sounds of distress like crying or whining, or whistles from the nostrils or windpipe due to blockage.

The Spruce / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

Key takeaway  Dogs pant. It’s one of the things that makes them dogs, along with barking and fascination with balls and squirrels. Sometimes dog panting is nothing to worry about, but other times it’s your dog’s way of telling you they need something.

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It’s normal for dogs to pant, and to be expected if your dog is exercising, excited, or feeling hot. However, heavy panting is something else entirely, and absolutely cause for concern. If you’ve noticed your dog is excessively panting, it could signal that they’re dangerously overheated, have incurred trauma, or may be suffering from a health condition.

We’ll cover why dogs pants, what indicates excessive panting, and how you can help your dog get the appropriate treatment if needed.

People sweat. We perspire over almost all of our body, and it helps us dispel excess heat through evaporation of water. Dogs are different. They sweat only through the pads of their feet. It’s panting that helps them cool themselves by getting rid of excess moisture.

When dogs pant, water and heat evaporate from the moist surfaces of the lungs, tongue, and other oral surfaces, cooling them down. If they didn’t pant, they’d become dangerously overheated.

Why Do Dogs Pant?