A panting puppy is frequently a good sign, especially after a good romp in the park or a rousing game of fetch, so have you ever wondered what it could mean? Is it a sign of your dog dreaming or something more sinister when your puppy is panting even though he hasn’t been exercising? What happens when your puppy is breathing quickly while they are sleeping?
The good news is that these episodes may be normal, but it’s crucial to be aware of the signs that could mean something is wrong. You definitely don’t want to disregard this significant symptom because rapid breathing can be an indication of lung or heart disease.
Read on to learn more about puppy breathing and when to take your puppy to the vet for this potential problem. So, how do you know when a puppy breathing quickly is normal or not?
Normal Causes
There are many common causes for your puppy’s rapid breathing. As mentioned above, the most likely reason is exercise. A puppy that has been running around all afternoon will need a lot of oxygen to fuel its energetic cells and a lot of CO2 to expel. Breathing fast will help correct this quickly.
The stress hormone cortisol is linked to anxiety, excitement, and stress. When it activates, the hormone—also known as the “fight-or-flight” hormone—increases the heart rate. Being a muscle, the heart requires oxygen to function. Tachypnoea results from a faster heartbeat as the lungs adjust to supply more oxygen to the heart. The reason for your puppy’s rapid breathing might be because they just got scared or excited. Additionally, cortisol is in charge of pain-related increased breathing rate. If your puppy sadly hurts themself, they may breathe faster.
Finally, the lungs’ secondary role in cooling the body down involves exhaling warm air and breathing in cooler air. As dogs only perspire through their feet and noses, the lungs play a crucial role in controlling body temperature. Exercise or the environment can cause heat to be produced secondarily; if your puppy is overheated, it will pant quickly to release some of that heat. Exercise puppies with caution on hot days because the two heat sources could overwhelm their cooling systems and cause heatstroke. Heatstroke can be fatal, especially in puppies, so you should always try to help them cool down if they are panting excessively. For the same reason, a fever brought on by an illness can result in rapid breathing.
Symptoms of Fast Breathing in Dogs
Although dogs typically pant after exercise or strenuous activity, if you notice any of the following, your dog may be having trouble breathing or in respiratory distress:
What does it mean if my puppy’s breathing rate is too high? Should I call a vet?
Several factors can trigger fast breathing during sleep. When trying to determine why your puppy’s breathing rate is increased, your veterinarian is your best resource, but these are some typical reasons.
FAQ
How fast is too fast breathing for puppy?
When at rest, a typical healthy pet should breathe between 15 and 35 times per minute. (Of course, while exercising, your pooch will naturally breathe faster). While your dog is sleeping, anything above 40 breaths per minute is regarded as abnormal and should be looked into.
Why is my dog breathing so fast while resting?
If your dog breathes more than 30 times per minute, you should definitely keep an eye on him because this is considered to be too fast. Tachypnea is the term for excessively rapid breathing while at rest, which can be a sign of the following illnesses: Fluid in the lungs.