Dogs’ panting is completely normal when they experience excitement, are feeling energetic or playful, and if it’s hot outside. But heavy or excessive panting is a sign of concern as it could mean that your dog is alarmingly overheated, having chronic medical issues, or has experienced something traumatizing to them.

It’s important to know the difference between regular panting and heavy panting to ensure your dog is not in any harm.

Causes and Treatment

Dogs usually pant when trying to cool off after being exposed to heat or intense exercise. Depending on your dog’s size, they will breathe and pant differently.

Heat Stroke or Poisoning

Heatstroke can happen in temperatures above 85 degrees in 15 minutes if your dog does not have adequate shading and hydration. Bigger dogs with thicker coats should be even more careful as they could have heatstroke much easier. Heatstroke signs will most likely be heavy panting, looking down or seemingly exhausted, drinking more water than normal, looking for shade or water, and having gums appearing bright red.

Dogs may also pant heavily if they’ve eaten something poisonous to them. If you suspect they’ve consumed something toxic, take them to the vet immediately.

Chronic Illness

Dogs can have illnesses that cause them to pant heavily indicating they have an issue or are in some sort of pain. This is why it is so important to take your pooch to the vet to make sure if there is an underlying issue.

Heart Failure

Dogs can face heart failure as the heart inadequately pumps blood out and the body becomes deprived of oxygen. This results in heavy panting as a natural response.

Cushing Syndrome

This is when dogs’ adrenal glands overproduce cortisol. Symptoms include heavy panting, excessive thirst and hunger, hair loss, and a bloated stomach.

Respiratory Disorders

Disorders like pneumonia, lung tumors, and laryngeal paralysis can cause heavy panting and increasing breathing as conditions worsen.

Injury or Pain

Dogs give us signs they’re injured or in pain by different variants like heavy panting, breathing, and whining.

Along with heavy panting, a dog’s pupils can be enlarged, have a reduced appetite, won’t lie down or won’t get up, restless pacing, whining with anxiety, or biting themselves. These are all signs that something is wrong and you need to visit a vet.

Extreme heavy panting can indicate many different issues, but it needs to be addressed immediately. Visit a veterinarian if you observe odd behavior in your pup especially in their panting and breathing.