Dogs pant to blow off heat, shake off excitement, or recover after a good zoomie session. That’s normal. But if the panting is nonstop, super intense, or comes with other weird symptoms, it can point to a bigger health issue. In those cases, loop in your vet—don’t wait it out.

Common reasons for panting

Cooling down

Dogs don’t sweat like we do. Panting is their built-in AC system to keep body temperature in a safe range—especially on hot days in places like Arizona, Texas, or Florida.

Exercise or excitement

After fetch, a long walk, or when something fun happens—new visitor, leash comes out—panting ramps up. It’s usually quick, shallow, and eases off once your pup settles.

Stress or anxiety

Storm rolling through, fireworks on the Fourth, a vet visit, or being left alone can all trigger “I’m stressed” panting. You may also see pacing, wide eyes, or whining along with it.

Medical conditions that can cause excessive panting

Pain

Dogs are pros at hiding pain. Heavy panting can be an early hint. Other clues: restlessness, reluctance to lie down, or not wanting to eat like usual.

Heatstroke

This is an emergency. Watch for raging panting, glassy eyes, wobbliness, drooling, vomiting, and a rapid heartbeat—common during heatwaves or after play in hot, humid weather. Get to a vet immediately.

Heart and lung disease

If the heart can’t move oxygenated blood well—or the lungs are compromised—your dog may breathe hard or pant at rest. Conditions like congestive heart failure or certain lung problems can show up this way.

Respiratory issues

Flat-faced breeds (think Pugs, Bulldogs) can struggle with airflow, which makes panting more intense. Older dogs may develop laryngeal paralysis, where the “voice box” doesn’t open properly, restricting air.

Cushing’s disease

Too much cortisol from the adrenal glands can cause heavy panting, big thirst and appetite, and that round “pot-belly” look. A vet can confirm with tests.

Medication side effects

Some meds—especially steroids like prednisone—can crank up panting. If you notice a change after starting a drug, call your vet before tweaking the dose.

Obesity

Extra weight makes everything harder, including breathing and cooling off. Overweight pups pant more with exercise or in warm weather.

When to see a vet

Seek immediate care if you notice any of the following:

• Panting that comes out of nowhere—no heat, no exercise, no obvious reason
• Gums that look pale, bluish, or unusually bright red
• Noisy, labored breathing or using belly muscles to breathe
• Signs of distress like weakness, collapse, confusion, or nonstop pacing
• Excess drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea alongside the panting

Why Is My Dog Panting Heavily?

Dogs pant to dump heat, burn off excitement, and recover after play—that’s normal. Heavy, nonstop panting is a different vibe and can signal overheating, a medical issue, or even a recent trauma. If your pup’s breathing feels off and you can’t pin down why, loop in your vet ASAP.

Why Dogs Pant Heavily: Common Causes and Treatments

Panting is a dog’s built-in cooling system. They don’t sweat like we do, so airflow over the tongue and lungs helps drop their temp—especially after fetch or on a sticky summer day in Florida or Texas. Most dogs breathe around 10–30 times per minute at rest; get a feel for your dog’s “normal” so changes pop out quickly.

Big reasons you’ll see heavier panting:

• Heat, exercise, excitement (normal stuff). After zoomies, a long walk, or meeting new people, panting gets fast and shallow, then settles once your dog chills out.
• Short-snout breeds. Boston terriers, bulldogs, and pugs have tighter airways, so they work harder to move air. They’ll pant more even with mild activity.

Medical reasons that need attention:

• Heatstroke or toxins. Sudden, raging panting without a clear reason is a red flag. If it’s hot and your dog looks wiped, think heatstroke. If you suspect they licked/ate something sketchy (yard chemicals, meds, wild mushrooms), that’s an emergency vet visit.
• Heart problems. Trouble moving oxygenated blood can show up as heavy breathing, coughing, or getting tired on short walks. Vets may use meds like diuretics or ACE inhibitors depending on the cause.
• Cushing’s syndrome. Too much cortisol from the adrenal glands = heavy panting, big thirst, big appetite, frequent peeing, hair thinning, and a round “pot-belly” look. Treatment ranges from meds to surgery.
• Respiratory issues. Laryngeal paralysis (voice box not opening well), pneumonia, or lung masses can all drive hard panting. Treatment depends on what’s going on and how advanced it is.

Other Causes of Heavy Panting in Dogs

• Pain. Dogs hide pain like champs. Clues: restlessness, pacing, not settling, refusing stairs, skipping meals.
• Stress or anxiety. Thunder in Georgia, fireworks on the Fourth, vet days, or separation can flip on stress panting. You might also see wide eyes, lip licking, or whining.
• Med side effects. Steroids (like prednisone) and some other meds can crank up panting. Call your vet before changing doses.
• Extra weight. Overweight pups run hotter and tire faster, especially in humid states like Louisiana.
• Fever, anemia, or high altitude. Fevers and low red blood cells make dogs breathe harder; even healthy dogs pant more in the Colorado mountains.
• Pregnancy or nursing. More work for the body = more panting, but still keep an eye out for distress signs.

Heatstroke and Your Dog: Emergency Response

If your dog is overheated—think blazing panting, glassy eyes, wobbling, drooling, vomiting, or collapse—act fast:

1. Move now. Get to shade or AC immediately.
2. Cool smart. Wet the neck, armpits, and groin with cool (not ice-cold) water; place a fan nearby. You can gently dampen ears and paws, too.
3. Small sips. Offer cool water in small amounts. No force-drinking.
4. Check temp if you can. If you have a rectal thermometer, stop active cooling around 103°F (39.4°C) to avoid overcooling.
5. Head to the vet. Even if your dog perks up, internal damage is possible—get checked.

When to See a Vet

Call a vet or urgent care now if:

• Panting hits hard out of nowhere with no heat or exercise
• Gums look pale, blue, or bright cherry red
• Breathing is noisy, labored, or your dog is using belly muscles to pull in air
• You see weakness, collapse, confusion, or nonstop pacing
• There’s heavy drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea along with the panting

Book a prompt appointment if:

• Panting is new, worse than your dog’s normal, or happening at rest/night
• You notice coughing, exercise intolerance, weight changes, or a “pot-belly”
• You started a new medication and panting spiked
• Your short-snout pup struggles even in mild California weather or light activity

Injury & Pain

Dogs can’t say “ouch,” so we have to read the signs. Heavy, hard-to-catch-your-breath panting can be your first clue something hurts. Other red flags: big pupils, not wanting to eat, refusing to lie down, pacing like they can’t get comfy, acting anxious, or obsessively licking/chewing one spot.

Some pups will still wag or try to act normal—doesn’t mean they’re fine. Pain can be internal too (think getting clipped by a car with no obvious wound). If your gut says your dog’s hurting, don’t wait. Get a vet involved right away.

Medications

Certain meds can crank up panting. Steroids (like prednisone) are a common culprit. If the heavy panting started after a new prescription or dose change, call your vet before you tweak anything on your own.

Other Causes of Heavy Panting

• Eclampsia (milk fever). A dangerous drop in blood calcium in nursing moms can cause heavy breathing, tremors, and trouble standing. That’s an emergency.
• Allergies, infection, airway irritation. Inflamed airways can make breathing noisy or wheezy. Smoke, pollen, kennel cough—lots of things can set it off.
• Any unexplained change. If your dog suddenly shifts from their normal breathing to heavy panting, coughing, or wheezing—ring your vet.

Heatstroke: Emergency Response

Overheating is a true medical emergency and a top reason for scary panting—especially during heat waves in places like Arizona, Texas, or Florida.

What it can look like: wild panting, glassy eyes, weakness, drooling, a racing heart, vomiting or diarrhea, seizures, and a rectal temp over 104°F. If you can take a temp, stop active cooling once it’s back near 103°F.

What to do right now:

1. Get out of the heat. Move to AC or shade immediately.
2. Cool smart, not extreme. Use cool (not ice-cold) water—wet the chest, neck, armpits, and groin, or soak the coat with cool water and use a fan. Avoid blasting with a yard hose—on hot days that water can come out scalding.
3. Offer small sips. Cool water in small amounts or ice cubes to lick. Don’t force it.
4. See a vet ASAP. Start cooling, then head straight in. Even if your dog perks up, internal damage is still possible.

Prevention basics: Never leave a dog in a parked car, even “just for a minute.” At home, make sure there’s shade, fresh water, and a way inside during peak heat.

When to See a Vet

Panting after play, excitement, or warm weather is normal. Call your vet immediately if:

• The panting hits out of the blue with no exercise or heat
• You think your dog is in pain
• The panting is constant, intense, or worse than their usual
• Tongue or gums look blue, purple, or white (not getting enough oxygen)