Why is my dog panting at night?

Have you noticed that your dog is breathing heavier than usual, even while lying down and resting? In this blog, our Killen vets discuss heavy breathing and share the answer to a common question, 'Why is my dog panting and restless at night?'.

My Dog Pants at Night

If you believe that your dog pants excessively at night then it will help to know the difference between normal and abnormal breathing. On average a healthy dog will take between 15 to 35 breaths per minute when they are resting. (By nature your dog will breathe more heavily and pant when exercising). Therefore, anything more than 40 breaths a minute when your dog is at rest is considered to be abnormal and should be investigated.

However, it's essential to know that panting doesn't always point to an issue and that it's your furry friend's way of cooling themselves down, regulating their body temperature, and letting heat and water evaporate from their mouth tongue, and upper respiratory tract.

Unfortunately, dogs are unable to sweat like you or I. Instead, they turn to panting or breathing fast to help cool themselves down.

What are the signs of panting in dogs?

To tell if your dog is panting heavily, count your dog’s breaths for a minute while they are resting or sleeping. (You might also want to do this when you aren't worried, about determining your dog's normal respiratory rate). Anything under 30 breaths per minute is considered normal, anything above 35 may be a cause for concern and is worth contacting your vet over. Your vet will have a good understanding of your dog's normal respiratory rate from previous examinations.

Why is my dog restless and panting so much at night?

Brachycephalic dog breeds, breeds with short noses or squished faces, such as Boston terriers, boxers, and pugs, face a higher risk of developing breathing issues and should always be closely monitored by pet owners for signs of increased respiratory effort.

Short-nosed breeds aren't the only ones that can run into difficulties breathing normally. No matter which breed your dog is, heavy panting or fast breathing could be a sign that your pooch is suffering from an illness or injury that requires urgent veterinary care. A few potential causes of fast or heavy breathing in dogs include:

When is my dog's panting a concern?

If you see your dog excessively panting when they are resting, or breathing heavily when they are sleeping, they may be experiencing respiratory distress. If you see your pooch exhibiting any of the following signs the first thing you should do is call your vet immediately, they will inform you of the steps you should take until you reach the animal hospital.

• Heavy, fast breathing that’s louder or different sounding than normal panting
• Their panting starts suddenly
• Open-mouthed breathing while at rest
• Reluctance to drink, eat or move
• Pale, blue-tinged, or brick-red gums
• Out-of-character drooling
• Noticeably labored breathing (engaging stomach muscles to help breathe)

How is excessive panting in dogs diagnosed?

Your vet will conduct a complete physical examination of your dog to determine the cause of your dog's excessive panting such as a problem in the heart, circulatory system, lungs, airway, neck, head, or another area. The condition of your pup's overall health could also be causing the problem.

Your vet will need to know about any previous medical issues that your pooch has experienced and may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays to check the heart, lungs and abdomen for issues such as lung tumors or broken ribs.

The veterinarian will also watch your dog for any signs of anxiety, stress, or other psychological factors that could be causing the fast breathing.

What are the treatment options for dogs who pant excessively?

When it comes to heavy panting or breathing in dogs, the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Your vet might prescribe pain relief, intravenous fluids, or other medications to help restore your dog to good health. If your pup's heavy breathing is the result of anxiety or stress, your vet may recommend special training with a certified dog behaviorist.

Rest and oxygen therapy will likely be needed to start your dog along the road to healing. While most dogs will be well enough to be treated at home, in some severe cases hospitalization may be required to monitor the dog's breathing, and to treat the underlying health condition.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your dog breathing fast even while they are resting? Contact our vets in Killen immediately for urgent care.