Exercise, excitement, and illness are reasons why pets breathe very fast. You’re probably used to seeing your dog breathe very fast or hearing your dog pant constantly as a pet owner, especially after a walk or a play session.

On a hot day, your dog pants with anticipation for the tasty treat or toy you’re holding and breathes faster than usual to stay calm.

However, if your dog exhibits more signs than laboured breathing, it might be a sign of a more severe problem.

Dogs’ Rapid breathing may indicate heart failure, Cushing’s disease, or respiratory problems. Additionally, if your dog exhibits additional symptoms, such as a shift in gum colour, laboured breathing, or difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

What Causes Dogs to Breathe Very Fast?

One way to help your veterinarian find any problems is to count your pet’s breathing rate at home. If your dog’s breathing rate goes up when it’s at rest, it can be suffering from heart failure or other serious conditions.

Furthermore, the appropriate respiratory rate for all dogs is 15 to 30 breaths per minute. If your pet is otherwise healthy and sound, lower respiratory rates are possible and should not be a cause for concern.

However, a resting rate continuously greater than 30 breaths per minute is considered abnormal, and this irregularity indicates heart failure.

Exercise And Physical Activities Cause Dogs To Breathe Very Fast

Dogs usually breathe faster both during and after exercise. It is because as your dog exercises, their muscles work harder, their body uses more oxygen, and they release more carbon dioxide.

Your dog must breathe much more heavily to fulfil these extra demands. After most activities, your dog will pant to cool off; if it exercises frequently, it will cool off far faster than other dogs.

More breathing will occur during a strenuous workout than during a slow block walk. If your dog is drooling, panting more than usual, has red gums, starts vomiting, or loses consciousness, call an emergency veterinarian right away. These are all signs of heat stroke in dogs.

Emotional Triggers Often Cause Dogs To Breathe Very Fast

Dogs often start breathing quickly when they are emotional. Dogs typically pant when they are excited, especially when anticipating delicious food and treats or meeting new people. This type of shallow, rapid breathing is common and might be accompanied by whimpering.

On the other hand, stress panting is often harder and takes longer. If your dog begins to pant, observe their body language.

Do your dogs have wide eyes? Are they yawning, or are they averting their gaze? These are all signs of stress in dogs.

Finally, a dog breathing quickly can be because it feels ill, injured, or uneasy. Keep an eye out for any more indications that your dog might be sick, and contact your veterinarian immediately!

When Dogs Breathe Very Fast, It Is A Cooling Mechanism During Hot Weather

Dogs pant or breathe faster when they feel hot to allow air to pass over their tongue, causing moisture to evaporate. They do this to cool their tongue and decrease their body temperature.

Some breeds are more prone to overheating than others. Examples of such dogs include the English Bulldog, Pug, and Pekingese; they typically take longer periods to cool down when they are hot.

It’s critical to watch these breeds and take all the necessary precautions to prevent heatstroke while it’s hot outside.

When Dogs Breathe Very Fast, It Is Usually A Sign Of Chronic Illness

Rapid, difficult breathing may indicate the presence of a chronic illness in your pet. Many of the symptoms that humans with heart failure experience, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and intolerance to physical activity, are also present in dogs.

Similarly, Cushing’s disease can cause panting, thirst, and bloating in the abdomen. Lastly, several respiratory ailments, such as pneumonia and laryngeal paralysis, will cause your dog to pant.

Signs of Abnormal Breathing

While fast breathing can be normal, there are signs that indicate a potential health problem. Abnormal breathing includes labored or strained breaths, a color change in the gums or tongue, or a consistently high resting respiratory rate.

Abnormal Respiratory Conditions in Dogs

Dyspnea (Labored Breathing)

Dyspnea occurs when a dog struggles to breathe and may involve a hunched posture with extended elbows and noticeable chest movement.

This condition can stem from issues such as infections, trauma, hernias, or even heart failure. Some causes of dyspnea require urgent veterinary attention, especially if accompanied by pale gums or unresponsive behavior.

Tachypnea (Rapid, Shallow Breathing)

Tachypnea involves quick but shallow breaths, often without open-mouth panting. Common causes of tachypnea include low blood oxygen, lung clots, or anemia. If your dog breathes rapidly at rest without obvious reasons like heat or stress, seek veterinary guidance.

Monitoring Your Dog’s Breathing Rate at Home

Counting your dog’s breaths per minute can be helpful for early detection of health issues. The average resting respiratory rate for dogs is between 15 to 30 breaths per minute.

A rate consistently above 30 breaths per minute, especially at rest, may indicate heart or respiratory problems. Monitoring breathing changes at home can aid your veterinarian in diagnosing and managing health issues promptly.

Prevention and What To Do When Your Dogs Breathes Very Fast

As soon as your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian:

• Your dog’s tongue and gums can be brilliant red, blue, purple, or white.
• The breathing is hard and continuous.
• They are breathing loudly (stridor)
• They typically exhale more than 30 breaths per minute.
• When other symptoms of illness, like fatigue or diarrhoea, appear, the breathing becomes rapid.

Because dogs pant to cool themselves, keeping your dog cool is one of the best ways to reduce respiratory distress. Ensure there is always plenty of fresh water, particularly after physical exertion.

When the weather is hot outside, watch for signs of heatstroke. If you can stop heatstroke, your dog won’t have to work as hard to cool down.

If your dog is breathing quickly from stress, try to remove them from the stressor. Give your dog calming techniques if you cannot take them out of the distressing situation.

My dog is stressed. How can I reduce my dog’s fast breathing?

Tips for Preventing Respiratory Distress in Dogs

Keeping your dog cool and hydrated is essential to avoid unnecessary respiratory distress. Here are a few steps you can take to promote easier breathing in your pet:

• Fresh Water Access: Ensure your dog always has access to clean, cool water.
• Shade and Cooling: During hot weather, provide shady spots and limit outdoor activities.
• Avoid Overexertion: Pay attention to exercise limits, particularly in brachycephalic breeds, which can easily overheat.
• Calming Techniques for Stress: If rapid breathing is due to stress, remove your dog from the stressor or offer calming support through gentle petting and soothing words.

Why Does My Dog Pant At Night But Not During The Day?

Your dog might pant at night but not during the day for various reasons. Because dogs are skilled at hiding their suffering, we frequently find out about it only after it occurs.

If your dog is in discomfort, they may pant at strange times, such as when they should be sleeping or relaxing in the middle of the night. A dog that frequently urinates at night can have a lot of nightmares.

Regretfully, dogs dream just like people do when they go to sleep. Finally, a senior dog suffering from dementia may experience anxiety or confusion at night. Reversing the sleep-wake cycle may result in breathing difficulties, pacing, and insomnia.

Why Do Dogs Breathe Very Fast – Why Do They Pant For No Reason?

Dogs typically pant for a reason, even if it’s not always evident. They might be overheated, under stress about something, or suffering discomfort that isn’t visible. Never ignore your dog’s behaviour; watch for other clues.

Do they appear pacing, lethargic, or perhaps protecting a particular body part? Even though it may seem benign, excessive panting is sometimes one of the first or only indications that your dog is sick.

How Do Dogs Show Pain Or Discomfort?

Since most dogs are pretty good at hiding their discomfort, any signs of it could be difficult to notice until it gets awful. Typically, a dog in pain may flatten its ears, quiver, and act strangely aggressive.

They might bite or lick a specific spot, avoid play and walks, pant excessively, or recoil at the touch. Their heart rate will also increase. Consult your veterinarian right away if your dog shows any signs of discomfort.

Why Do Dogs Breathe Very Fast – How Many Lungs Do They Have?

Like humans, dogs have one left lung and one right lung. The lungs comprise several lobes, even though we usually see them as a single sac.

There are two lobes in the left lung, and the cranial lobe of the left lung is partially divided into two halves. In comparison, the auxiliary, caudal, middle, and cranial lobes make up the four lobes of the right lung. It differs from an individual’s lungs! People’s left lung has two lobes, while their right has three.

About them, your dog is an authority. Therefore, if the breathing is quick, there might not be an apparent reason to be concerned. Panting could be a sign of an underlying medical issue such as heart failure, stress, or pain.

Conclusion

Knowing why dogs breathe fast, recognizing the signs of abnormal breathing, and understanding when to seek help can greatly improve your pet’s health outcomes.

While rapid breathing is often harmless, it can sometimes signal underlying issues like heart failure, stress, or chronic illness.

By monitoring breathing patterns and responding to warning signs, pet owners can ensure their dog’s health and comfort, creating a happier life for their loyal companions.