What to do if a dog is panting a lot?
Vena Rodriguez
2025-07-09 23:42:02
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If you see your dog panting, it can be useful to think about the situation to see if there’s an obvious reason why. By asking yourself whether it’s a warm day, if they’ve recently exercised or whether they’re likely to be feeling anxious, you may be able find the underlying cause and provide them with the correct care. During hot or humid days, always take extra care to prevent overheating, such as avoiding exercising your pooch during the hottest parts of the day, and never leaving them in a hot car or areas of the house that might heat up quickly, such as porches or conservatories. If you see your dog panting, try taking the following steps: Stop exercise, Provide them with a drink of fresh, clean water, Give them the time and space to calm and cool down. If your dog is showing the following symptoms, give first aid and contact your vet immediately: Fast, shallow breathing, Panting with their tongue curling upwards, Not wanting to move/low energy, Stretching out their neck.
Caroline Kihn
2025-07-02 00:20:41
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If you’re worried your dog is panting because they are too hot and want to cool him down, check out our vet’s tips on how to keep your dog cool. If your dog seems to be struggling to get his breath or there is a change in the colour of his tongue or gums call your vet immediately or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency service. You should always call your vet if you’re worried about your dog’s health. Panting can be considered abnormal, and a potential emergency, if it starts suddenly and for no reason, won’t stop, is accompanied by shaking or restlessness, or involves a change in the colour of your dog’s tongue or gums from pink to bluish, white or purple.
Lavonne Larkin
2025-06-22 00:52:55
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If your dog is panting because they are hot, that is a perfectly normal way for your pet to cool themselves off. Panting works by convection, heat from your dog's body is absorbed by the water on your pet's tongue, as your pet pants the air leaving your pet's body evaporates the water which releases the heat as a gas. To tell if your dog is panting heavily, count your dog’s breaths for a minute while they are resting or sleeping, anything under 30 breaths per minute is considered normal, anything above 35 may be a cause for concern and is worth contacting your vet over. If you see your dog excessively panting when they are resting, or breathing heavily when they are sleeping, they may be experiencing respiratory distress. If you see your pooch exhibiting any of the following signs the first thing you should do is call your vet immediately, they will inform you of the steps you should take until you reach the animal hospital. Rest and oxygen therapy will likely be needed to start your dog along the road to healing. Your vet might prescribe pain relief, intravenous fluids, or other medications to help restore your dog to good health. If your pup's heavy breathing is the result of anxiety or stress, your vet may recommend special training with a certified dog behaviorist.
Lance Reinger
2025-06-21 22:59:25
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If you suspect heatstroke, first move your dog inside or to a shady spot. Submerge your dog in cool water or apply cold towels to your dog’s chest, neck, and head. Don’t spray your dog with a yard hose -- on hot days the water inside a hose can reach near boiling temperatures. Give your dog cool, not cold, water. Or give them ice cubes to lick. After you’ve started cooling your dog down, take your dog to the vet immediately. If you can’t find any obvious reason for a sudden change in your dog’s breathing, take them to a veterinarian immediately. No matter what kind of breathing your dog usually has, any unexplained change -- whether heavy panting, coughing, or wheezing -- always rates a call to your vet. Call your vet immediately if any of the following applies: Your dog’s panting starts suddenly. You think your dog may be in pain. The panting is constant and intense. Your dog’s tongue or gums appear blue, purple, or white -- a sign your pet isn’t getting enough oxygen.
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