Dog Panting At Night: Why Is My Dog Panting At Night?

Panting can be a completely natural part of being a dog, similar to heavy breathing for human beings. However, it is important to keep an eye and an ear out for when your dog is panting. For example, if they seem to be breathing heavily after a good old exercise or in the middle of a hot day, that is usually normal. However, if they are panting excessively in the middle of the night and seem restless, that could be a different story. In these cases, when there is no apparent cause for the panting, it can be easy for an owner to become worried. So, let’s take a look at why dogs pant and when it can indicate a more serious issue.

Why Do Dogs Pant?

As mentioned above, dogs pant for a whole host of different reasons, both biological and reasons that can indicate a health issue. Therefore, we are going to run through all the key causes of canine panting:

1. To Cool Down

The most common reason for a dog to pant is that they need to cool down. Unlike human beings, dogs cannot sweat through their skin, largely down their thick fur coats. Therefore, their bodies must come up with different ways to cool down. While dogs can sweat through the bottom of their paws, this is not enough to cool down dramatically. That is where painting comes in. The panting process allows them to move hot air out of their mouths, replacing it with cool outside air, evaporating water off their tongue, in their mouth, and in their throat. The evaporation process cools the body down and helps to regulate the dog’s body temperature. Therefore, panting is by definition, a natural process.

Those who have a more challenging time staying cool, such as obese dogs and brachycephalics, will pant more often than their peers.

DVM Linda Simon

2. They’re Feeling Anxious Or Stressed

Dogs are also known to pant when they are stressed or feeling anxious.

This is usually called ‘behavioral panting’. You can often differentiate between natural (physiological) panting and behavioral panting by the series of symptoms that tend to come with the latter. These include whining, yawning, shaking, pacing, hiding, and licking lips. Common times to see this behavior are during fireworks night when dogs are afraid of the loud bangs or perhaps when your little buddy realizes it is time to go to the vet.

READ MORE: Dog Afraid of Loud Noises

3. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Now moving on to potential medical issues can be indicated by panting, with the first being Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome or BOAS. ^[2] Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome is common in Brachycephalic dog breeds, recognizing their flat faces and squashed noses. These breeds include pugs, boxers, and French bulldogs. Unfortunately, these types of dogs struggle with breathing problems due to their basic anatomy. Because of their flat faces and narrow upper respiratory tracts, they cannot breathe and pant as effectively as other breeds, making them more at risk of overheating.

Underlying issues such as a collapsed trachea and elongated soft palate mean that their air exchange is less efficient and they are more prone to developing low oxygen.

DVM Linda Simon

4. Pain

The unfortunate truth is that animals are very good at hiding pain, making it all the harder for us owners to spot it when we need to. However, panting can be a tell-tale sign that your dog is in pain if panting at inappropriate times. For example, if they are panting a lot for no apparent reason in the middle of the night, it could be because they are in pain and are having trouble getting to sleep as a result. This is especially common in geriatric dogs who have joint disease.

This is especially common in geriatric dogs who have joint disease.

DVM Linda Simon

5. Heatstroke

As we mentioned in the cooling down section, dogs pant to get fresh cool air into their bodies. This is especially true on a hot day. However, dogs are not machines and, like humans, they can suffer from heatstroke if they remain in warm situations for elongated periods. For example, when a dog is left outside with no source of shade or water. Or when a dog is locked inside a car on a hot day. When a dog is suffering from heatstroke, they will pant extremely heavily and may seem weaker. Other signs can include drooling, glazed eyes and wobbly walking. If these symptoms develop, you should move your dog into a cool location out of the sun as soon as possible and give them some water if needed.

A light, wet sheet can be placed over them. Transport your dog to a vet immediately for emergency care and keep them cool on the way by cranking up the A/C.

DVM Linda Simon

6. Respiratory Problems

Panting can also be down to general respiratory problems. The harder it is for the dog to breathe, the harder they will pant. Pneumonia is a key example of a respiratory problem in dogs that involves the inflammation of the lungs/lower respiratory tract. Causes can include viral infections, food aspiration, and parasites. The respiratory disease also tends to cause coughing, a fever, difficulty breathing, and/or lethargy.

7. Side Effects Of Certain Medications or an Allergic Reaction

Dogs can also have allergic reactions to certain medications or food. If you have recently started them out on medication or changed their diet and notice excessive panting, this could be why. Allergic reactions can make it hard for your dog to breathe, even accompanied by vomiting, hives, and lethargy.

If you suspect your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction, bring them to your vet right away.

DVM Linda Simon

READ MORE: Dogs Seasonal Allergies

8. Heart Problems

Dogs that are suffering from heart problems usually pant a lot even when they are not exercising or hot. This may also come alongside lethargy, exercise intolerance, and coughing.

When the heart is not pumping effectively, oxygen is not transported to cells as it should be and the body pants in an attempt to bring more oxygen in. Heart failure can result in fluid build-up in the lungs and liver and this will also affect respiratory function and increase panting.

DVM Linda Simon

9. Hormonal Disease

Cushing’s Disease, which occurs when there is too much cortisol in the body, can cause a dog to pant excessively. Symptoms may also include a potbelly, thinning hair/skin, weight gain, and increased thirst.

The painting is thought to be driven by the excess cortisol, the extra fat deposits in the chest as well as the enlarged liver pushing on the diaphragm.

The hormone changes after a bitch whelps can also result in temporary panting.

DVM Linda Simon

10. Anemia

Low levels of red blood cells mean not enough oxygen is being carried within the body. ^[1] This can be due to blood loss, blood cell destruction, or the body’s failure to produce red blood cells (e.g., with bone marrow disease).

You may also notice your dog is lethargic and has pale gums.

DVM Linda Simon

11. Obesity

Obesity and panting go hand in hand in dogs. Fat dogs are hotter due to the extra insulation, so don’t cope as well when the temperature rises.

DVM Linda Simon

If your dog is overweight, they will also find it harder to pump oxygen around their bloodstream and will, therefore, pant more than fit dogs. Fortunately, it is usually pretty easy to tell when your dog is overweight just by looking at them. However, if you suspect that this might be the case, talk to a vet and discuss the next steps before more serious issues set in. As long as you catch it early enough, you should be able to reverse the effects with a fitness plan and diet.

What is the Difference Between Normal And Abnormal Dog Panting

As panting can both indicate a dog’s natural cooling-off process and serious health problems, it becomes important to be able to tell the difference between normal and abnormal panting. The first key step comes in counting your dog’s breaths per minute before and after exercise to provide yourself with a normal guide/frame of reference. This way, you know that something may be wrong if your dog starts panting a lot more than normal. The average for dogs is 12 to 20 breaths per minute while at rest or asleep and anything above 35 while resting is abnormal.

If your pooch starts to abruptly pant and you think they may be too hot, take them to a cool area away from any heat or direct sunlight. Give them a few minutes to cool off and then check their breathing again. If they are still abnormally high, it is time to call a vet. Having said that, if your dog is displaying any other signs of heatstroke, do not wait the 30 minutes, get them to a vet immediately.

Abnormal panting entails:

• Excessive and/or strained breathing.
• Harsher or higher-pitched breathing than normal.
• There are signs of distress alongside the panting, such as pacing, drooling, restlessness, crying, vomiting, or anything else out of the ordinary.
• Your dog is showing signs of shutting down, shaking, or hiding.
• They are panting more than usual but it is not from heat or exercise.
• Your pup is panting at night when they are usually resting peacefully.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Panting And Anxious?

The first step should always be to remove the stressor when dealing with excessive panting, restlessness, and anxiety. If it is in your control, this could be heat, noise sensitivity, lack of water, etc. If it is not in your control, sit with them to calm them. However, do not pat or stroke your dog too much as this will only confirm the fear in their minds. If the problem comes from anxiety ^[3], try to find the cause and deal with it. If the issue does not go away, talk to a vet to find a solution, which could come in medication. You can also contact a dog behavioral specialist or trainer to help manage stress.

FAQs:

Article Sources:

1. Brooks, Wendy. “Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) in Dogs and Cats.” Veterinary Partner, 4 Mar. 2003, veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951868.
2. Meola, Stacy D. “Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.” ScienceDirect, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1938973613000548.
3. Scholz, Martina, and Clarissa von Reinhardt. Stress In Dogs — Learn How Dogs Show Stress and What You Can Do to Help. amazon.com/Stress-Dogs-Learn-dogs-stress-ebook/dp/B077ZGD6NZ.