Why Does My Dog Pant So Much?

Panting in a dog is perfectly natural, as it helps them cool their body temperature. This is because dogs, like many other mammals, do not have sweat glands and so cannot perspire to reduce core temperature. Some owners can start to panic if they think a beloved pet is panting too much, as it might be a sign of illness. Chances are it is nothing serious, but if this symptom persists it may be a matter for a veterinarian.

  1. Heat

    • The vast majority of the time a dog will pant more because it is hot. It is perfectly natural for a dog to pant excessively at times, especially when the temperature rises quickly during the summer. This is due to the lack of sweat glands and wearing a fur coat all year round. Some dogs should be given a haircut when the weather gets hot to help keep them cool, and remember to give them plenty of fresh water.

    Stress

    • When a dog is stressed, it will pant more. As humans, we sweat when we are nervous as a natural reaction. Dogs do the same thing by panting. If you have just moved houses or there is something new in the home, the dog may feel stressed or threatened. Over time this will subside, as the dog gets used to everything.

    Obesity

    • Obese dogs will pant more due to the excess weight they are carrying around, again a lot like humans. Veterinarians will weigh pets during check ups and calculate their body mass index, which will give an indication of whether or not the pet should go on a diet.

    Worms and Illnesses

    • If a dog is panting a lot and it is none of the above problems, worms might be the culprit. Lung and heartworms are not uncommon in dogs and will give off feverish-type symptoms. Again this is not unlike humans who will perspire a lot when ill to remove toxins. If your pet starts to pant more after exercise, it could be a sign of a heart problem or simply old age. If excessive panting lasts for extended periods of time, it is worth taking them to the veterinarian.

    Dog Breeds

    • Some dog breeds are more prone to panting due to smaller nasal passages and windpipes. pugs, Pekingese, bulldogs and other dogs with "squashed" faces are likely to pant more than others.