Why Does My Dog Gasp When Resting?

You see your dog panting after playing fetch. That’s normal! Panting is how dogs cool down.

But what if your dog is panting a lot while just resting? This could be a problem. Let’s talk about why your dog is panting while resting. And when you should call the vet.

Table of Contents

Panting: How Dogs Stay Cool?

Dogs don’t sweat like people do. They only sweat a little bit through their paws and noses. So to cool off, they pant!

When a dog pants, they breathe really fast. The moisture on their tongue cools down the air they breathe in. This helps lower their body temperature.

Too Much Panting

Panting too much could be a sign of a medical problem. It helps to know what’s normal for your dog. You can count their breaths per minute while they are resting. A healthy dog usually takes between 15 and 35 breaths per minute.

How to tell if your dog is panting too much:

Count how many breaths they take in one minute.
If it’s more than 40 breaths per minute, call the vet!
Is your dog panting when they should be relaxed? Like in a cool room? That could be a problem too.

**If you’re not sure, always call your vet. **

Reasons Why Dogs Pant Too Much While Resting?

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is very dangerous! It happens when a dog gets too hot and can’t cool down. Their body temperature gets way too high. Brachycephalic breeds are more likely to get heatstroke. These dogs have flat faces, like Boston Terriers, Boxers, and Pugs.

Never leave any dog in a hot car, even for a short time! Cars get hot really fast and can make dogs sick.

Signs of heatstroke:

Panting a lot
Glassy eyes
Weakness
Fast heartbeat
Drooling a lot
Seizures
Throwing up
Diarrhea
A temperature over 104 degrees

What to do if you think your dog has heatstroke:

Take your dog to a cool, shady place.
Put them in cool water or put cool, wet towels on their chest, neck, and head. Don’t use really cold water, though.
Let them lick ice cubes or drink small sips of cool water.
Take them to the vet right away!

Being Sick

Panting too much could mean your dog is sick. Some illnesses that can cause panting are:

Heart disease: Makes it hard to breathe. Congestive heart failure is a serious type of heart disease that can make dogs pant a lot. They might also cough, get tired easily, and their gums or tongue might look blue or purple.
Lung disease: Like pneumonia, lungworms, and lung cancer. These make it hard to breathe, so the dog pants to try and get more air.
Cushing’s disease: This is a problem with hormones. Dogs with Cushing’s disease might pant a lot, drink and pee a lot, always be hungry, lose fur, and have a big belly.
Respiratory disorders: These are problems with the lungs and airways. Laryngeal paralysis and kennel cough are examples of respiratory disorders. They can make it hard for the dog to breathe, so they pant.
Anemia: This is when the blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. Dogs with anemia can be tired and pant because they’re not getting enough oxygen.

If you think your dog is sick, take them to the vet.

Pain

Dogs can’t talk, so they show they’re in pain by acting differently. Panting can be a sign of pain!

Some reasons dogs might be in pain:

Arthritis: Makes their joints hurt.
Injuries: Like a broken bone or a cut.
Dental problems: A toothache can make dogs pant.
Ear infections: Hurt a lot!

Other signs that a dog might be in pain:

Can’t relax and keeps moving around
Doesn’t want to eat
Doesn’t want to lie down
Seems scared
Licks or bites the part that hurts
Their pupils get bigger

Take your dog to the vet if you think they’re in pain!

Anxiety

Dogs get anxious too! Anxiety can make them pant, especially if something is scaring them.

Things that make dogs anxious:

Loud noises: Like thunder or fireworks
Separation anxiety: Being alone makes them scared.
Changes in their routine: If things are different, it can make them nervous.
Car rides: Some dogs hate car rides!
New places and new people: Being in a new situation can be scary.

You might see these signs with anxiety panting:

Pacing back and forth
Whining
Shaking
Hiding
Chewing or scratching things
Drooling a lot
Yawning a lot
Showing the whites of their eyes (whale eye)
Tucking their tail
Ears back

Talk to your vet if your dog pants when they’re anxious. They can help you figure out:

What is making your dog anxious
How to help your dog when they’re anxious
Treatments like training or medicine

Other Reasons for Panting

Flat-Faced Breeds

Brachycephalic breeds have a harder time breathing because of their flat faces. These dogs might pant more than other dogs, even when resting.

Other Things That Can Cause Panting

Medicine: Some medicines can make dogs pant more.
Being overweight: Heavy dogs pant more because it’s harder for them to breathe.
Age: Older dogs might pant more because of health problems.

When to Call the Vet

Call the vet if your dog’s panting seems different than usual or if they have other symptoms.

Go to the vet right away if your dog:

Breathes really fast and loud, or it sounds different than their normal panting
Starts panting suddenly
Breathes with their mouth open, even when resting
Doesn’t want to drink, eat, or move
Their gums look pale, blue, or red
Drools a lot more than usual
Uses their stomach muscles to breathe

Be Your Dog’s Best Friend

You know your dog best! By learning why dogs pant, you can help keep them safe. If your dog’s breathing changes or they act differently, call your vet. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!