Why Is My Dog Breathing with Her Tongue Out During Her Sleep?

Dogs don't sweat, so they use panting as a method of cooling themselves down. They will also pant when nervous, stressed or excited, but this is usually when they are awake. If your dog is panting or breathing heavily with her tongue out during sleep, there is a variety of potential causes from simple aging to more serious health problems.

  1. Age

    • Some dogs naturally pant more as they get older and their lungs begin to change and become less flexible. If your dog is not spayed, increased panting and panting during sleep are signs that she is going through menopause. She benefit from use of a bronchodilator, which will make it easier for her to breathe. Talk about this possibility at your next vet appointment.

    Weight

    • If your dog is overweight she may develop respiratory problems that could cause her to pant heavier and at odd times like in cool weather or when she's sleeping. Panting indicates difficulty breathing, a condition common in overweight animals. Weight loss may help. You should also ask your vet to check her thyroid for any problems or disorders.

    Parasites, Disease and Allergies

    • Heartworms and other parasites that infect the heart and lungs can cause respiratory distress in dogs, which can manifest in excessive or unusual panting. Have your dog checked thoroughly by a vet, including an echocardiogram to check her heart for disease and parasites. Like humans, dogs can suffer from asthma, which will manifest as panting. Also like humans, dogs are prone to allergies, so if your dog develops sudden unexplained nighttime panting, consider any recent changes in her diet or environment -- she may be allergic to something.

    Other Symptoms

    • Serious health problems associated with panting in dogs also show themselves through other symptoms. If your dog is panting at night, coughing, has a decreased appetite or unexplained weight loss, it could be a symptom of parasites or even heart failure, particularly in older dogs. If she has no other symptoms and simply pants when she's not excited, hot or after exercise, have a vet check her out. If your vet can't pinpoint a problem, it may be nothing to worry about. Run a loud fan to cover the noise of her heavy breathing if it is disturbing you at night.