Panting

Why do dogs pant?

Dogs mainly pant to cool themselves down. Unlike humans, dogs only have a few sweat glands on their paws and therefore cannot sweat through their skin. Instead, they use panting as a form of evaporative cooling, in which they breathe out warm air and breathe in cooler air. Moisture evaporates from the tongue and the mucous membranes in the mouth, which lowers the body temperature.

However, panting can also have other causes, such as

• Excitement: Dogs often pant when they are happy or playing. This shows that they are having fun and are ready for more action.
• Stress: Dogs also pant when they are nervous, anxious or stressed. This can occur, for example, with loud noises, strange people or animals or in new situations. Panting helps them to calm down and relax.
• Pain: Dogs sometimes pant when they are in pain or feel unwell. This can be a sign of injury, illness or poisoning. In this case, you should take your dog to the vet.
• Communication: Dogs also pant to communicate with other dogs or people. This can mean, for example, that they are being friendly, submissive or making a request to play.

When is panting normal in dogs?

Panting is normal in dogs as long as it remains within reasonable limits and shows no signs of overheating or illness. A normally panting dog has an open muzzle, a tongue that sticks out and rapid breathing. However, the breathing should not be too fast or too shallow and the dog should not be panting or coughing.

A normally panting dog should also be able to stop or reduce their panting when they have cooled down or the situation has eased. If your dog is still panting heavily after a short break, you should observe him and consult a vet if necessary.

When is panting a problem in dogs?

Panting can be a problem in dogs if it is excessive, persistent or unusual. This can indicate a serious illness or an emergency. Some signs include:

• Heavy panting: If your dog is panting very quickly and loudly, it may be a sign of overheating. This can be life-threatening, especially in high temperatures or high humidity. You should immediately move your dog to a cool place and offer him water. If he does not stop panting or shows other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or unconsciousness, you should take him to the vet.
• Irregular panting: If your dog is panting irregularly or jerkily, this may be a sign of a respiratory condition. This could be asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia, for example. You should take your dog to the vet to find out the cause and get treatment.
• Silent panting: If your dog is barely audibly panting, this may be a sign of cardiovascular disease. This could be heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia or a heart attack, for example. You should take your dog to the vet to find out the cause and get treatment.
• Blue panting: If your dog is panting blue or purple, this can be a sign of oxygen deprivation. This can be caused by shock, anemia or poisoning, for example. You should take your dog to the vet to find out the cause and get treatment.

How can you help your dog with panting?

Panting in dogs is usually normal and harmless, but you can still help your dog feel more comfortable. Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Make sure your dog hasplenty of water: your dog should always have access to fresh, clean water, especially when they are panting. This will help him to hydrate and cool down.
• Provide shade: Your dog should always have a shady place to rest, especially in warm weather. This will help him to avoid overheating.
• Provideventilation: Your dog should always get enough air, especially when he is panting. This will help him to breathe better and cool down. You should never leave your dog in a closed or hot car, not even for a short time!
• Provide rest: Your dog should always get enough sleep and rest, especially when he is panting. This helps him to regenerate and reduce stress.
• Provideplay: Your dog should always get enough exercise and fun, especially when he is panting. This helps him to stay fit and happy.