Is Your Dog Breathing Heavily? What Wheezing, Panting, and Raspy Breathing May Mean
Key takeaways:
Signs of labored breathing in dogs include noisy breathing, coughing, wheezing, and unusually heavy panting.
Heavy breathing can be caused by an issue in any part of your dog’s respiratory system.
Always call your vet if you suspect your dog is having difficulty breathing to rule out life-threatening issues.
Table of contents
If you’ve ever watched a dog recovering from a game of chase, you’ve likely seen them panting and breathing heavily. This is pretty normal after a lot of exercise. But sometimes heavy breathing, panting, and wheezing can be signs your dog has respiratory distress — symptoms related to breathing problems.
Learn more about the sounds associated with canine respiratory distress, causes of canine breathing difficulties, and signs to watch for in your dog.
Why is my dog breathing heavily and panting so much?
The respiratory system consists of the lungs, windpipe (trachea), throat, nose, and mouth. Its essential function is to deliver oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Like in humans, oxygen is essential to your dog’s well-being. When there’s a problem in any part of the respiratory system, your dog can have difficulty breathing.
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There are several kinds of dog breathing problems that you may see in your pup. Here are five.
1. Labored breathing
Labored breathing — or shortness of breath — occurs when a dog has to work extremely hard to breathe in, breathe out, or both. Ongoing labored breathing in dogs can stop them from getting enough oxygen.
Several illnesses can cause your dog to breathe heavily. A few of them are diseases of the:
Nose
Throat
Windpipe
Diaphragm
Lungs
In older dogs, labored breathing may be caused by fluid in the lungs or chest cavity. This may be related to lung or heart disease.
An injury or trauma to the windpipe or chest can also cause labored breathing. A foreign object — such as a small toy or food — can block your dog’s nose, mouth, or windpipe. This can also cause breathing problems.
2. Unusually rapid breathing
Unusually rapid breathing, particularly if your dog is breathing fast while resting, can be brought on by:
Stress
Fear
Heat
Pain
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Many times, you can help your dog calm down or cool off at home to slow their breathing. But rapid breathing can progress to labored breathing. Always take rapid breathing seriously.
Other causes of unusually rapid breathing can include:
Bronchitis
Fluid in the lungs
Low red blood cells
Low blood oxygen levels
Blood clots
3. Panting
Some panting can be normal for dogs, especially in the heat. It helps them cool down and regulate their body temperature. If your dog has been out in warm conditions or just exercised and the panting lasts for a short time, there is no reason for concern. This process is known as thermoregulation.
But if your dog starts panting a lot, it could mean a more serious problem. It’s time to be concerned when:
Your dog is panting but not overly warm
Your dog’s panting sounds louder or harsher than normal
Your dog is using more effort than usual while panting
Your dog is shaking, pacing, or restless while panting
Your dog’s breathing becomes very shallow or fast
Your dog is panting while resting
Excessive panting may be a symptom of several conditions. It can be a sign that a dog is overheated. During the summer months, overheating and heatstroke can occur within minutes.
Certain heart or lung diseases can also cause abnormal panting. For example, excessive panting is one of the symptoms of a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Cushing’s disease can also cause dogs to pant excessively. Cushing’s disease causes your dog’s body to produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol.
4. Raspy breathing
Raspy breathing is often a symptom of laryngeal paralysis. This condition occurs when the nerve that controls the larynx or voicebox stops working properly. It’s most common in older, large-breed dogs.
Laryngeal paralysis can start off mild and progress into a medical emergency. That’s why it’s important to have a vet check your dog if their breathing sounds raspy.
5. Wheezing
Wheezing is usually seen with coughing and panting. But wheezing or coughing can occur or get worse at night or when your dog is lying down.
Wheezing may be a symptom of heart disease or congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure can cause fluid to build up in a dog’s lungs, especially at night or when they’re lying down for an extended period.
Signs of breathing trouble and respiratory distress in dogs
There are a number of signs that your dog is having trouble breathing.
Breathing rate
To monitor breathing issues, look at your dog’s breathing rate and breathing effort.
The respiratory or breathing rate is the number of breaths your pet takes in a minute. Check this when your dog is resting. A dog’s average breathing rate while at rest is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute. You can measure this with a stopwatch by counting how many breaths your dog takes.
Breathing effort is the amount of chest wall motion used for each breath. In other words, look for how much your dog’s chest goes up and down when they’re breathing.
Noisy breathing sounds
One of the most obvious signs a dog is having trouble is noisy breathing. This can happen when air passes through a narrowed throat or larynx (the upper part of the windpipe). This causes resistance and can make it hard to breathe.
In particular, listen for stridor breathing noises in dogs. Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound. Wheezing is the whistling sound that occurs when something blocks the normal flow of air in and out of the airway. It sounds like a human having an asthma attack, and the sound is usually more obvious when the dog exhales.
Stridor signals a serious breathing issue in your dog and should be treated as an emergency.
Additional symptoms
In addition, watch for any of the following signs of breathing trouble:
Distress
Collapse
Pale, gray, or bluish gums
Weak pulse on the inside of your dog’s thighs
Standing in an unusual position to relieve pain or breathe more easily
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately or bring your dog to the closest emergency animal hospital.
What can you do to help your dog breathe easier?
The most crucial step is to see your vet right away. Treatment for your canine companion’s breathing difficulty will depend on your veterinarian’s diagnosis. Your vet will do a physical examination and may order a blood test, X-rays, or other lab tests.
If your dog is prescribed medication, give it as prescribed and schedule all follow-up visits. As they recover, you may need to reduce your dog’s activity level. Your vet will help you understand your dog’s treatment plan as well as what to expect.
Meanwhile, here are a few things you can do at home to make your dog more comfortable:
Keep your dog out of heat and humidity.
Use air conditioning or open windows to circulate air and create a cool environment.
Reduce excitement.
Reduce exercise or exercise at a slower pace.
Never force your dog to exercise if they do not feel comfortable.
The bottom line
A disease in any part of your dog’s respiratory system can cause breathing problems. Dog breathing problems can range from common allergies to severe heart or lung disease. If you notice issues like excessive panting, coughing, or wheezing, your first step is to have your canine companion checked out by your vet. Your vet can determine the underlying cause of the problem and suggest treatment.
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References
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Cohen, A. (n.d.). Laryngeal paralysis. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Center.
Englar, R. E. (2019). Stertor and stridor. Common Clinical Presentations in Dogs and Cats.
Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals. (n.d.). Difficulty breathing (dyspnea). Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Hunter, T., et al. (n.d.). Congestive heart failure in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals.
Kuehn, N. F. (2020). Introduction to lung and airway disorders of dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Sharp, C. R. (2015). Approach to respiratory distress in dogs and cats. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Stern, S. D. C., et al. (2014). Wheezing and stridor. Symptoms to Diagnose: An Evidence-Based Guide.
Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. (n.d.). Measuring your pet’s breathing rate.
Tonozzi, C. C. (2021). The respiratory system in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Truss Vet. (2024). Recognizing and addressing breathing issues in dogs: a guide for pet owners.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Treating Cushing’s disease in dogs.
