Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Dogs pant for various reasons, most of which are not cause for alarm.
When your dog’s panting changes significantly or they show other signs of distress, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order.
Taking care of your dog to the best of your ability includes paying attention to their dental health.
Dogs have funny behavioral habits. When they’re happy, they wag their tails. When sad, they may assume a posture that places their head close to the floor. One dog habit that can also seem funny is panting. We expect our dogs to pant when hot or out of breath, but some dogs seem to pant incessantly.
The panting mechanism has multiple purposes in dogs. We’ll discuss them and also talk about when panting is problematic. We’ll also talk about one reason a dog may pant that is unexpected. Spoiler alert: it’s tooth pain.
We’ll discuss the importance of dog dental care and how panting may be symptomatic of underlying oral health issues.
Dogs pant primarily as a means to regulate their body temperatures. Dogs do sweat, but they don’t sweat like humans. Instead of all-over body sweating, dogs have sweat glands in their paws to cool them down. They do have sweat glands in the body, but they are used primarily for communicating with other dogs.
When dogs are overheated, they pant to inhale, humidify, and exhale air. This process allows water to evaporate from your dog’s nose and lungs, and cool the body from the inside out.
The hotter the dog, the heavier the panting. On summer days, a short walk can result in panting during and after the walk. In winter, the panting may not be as noticeable. Although regulation of body temperature is the primary purpose of panting, panting has other purposes, too.
Dogs pant rapidly when excited. If you’ve ever noticed your dog pawing at the door before their walk, they may also pant rapidly, wag their tail, and whine. Some dogs do this before each meal or before they receive a treat.
Panting due to excitement is normal and natural; it usually stops as soon as the expected reward or activity begins or has been completed.
Anxiety can be hard to diagnose in a dog. Sometimes, it is mistaken for excitement. Dogs that pant when they are anxious usually display other symptoms of anxiety that are unlike the body language cues you’ll see when they are excited (like tail wagging).
If you see these behaviors in your dog along with panting, try to find the source of their anxiety and remove it, or remove your dog from the situation.
Some medications can cause a dog to pant. Steroids, for instance, can cause a dog to pant while they are lying down. Some allergy medications a dog may be prescribed for skin conditions can also lead to panting. These side effects usually go away on their own, but if your dog cannot stop panting, speak to their veterinarian about treatment options.
It’s unusual, but some underlying medical conditions can lead to panting. Cushing’s Disease can cause panting in dogs, and pneumonia can cause both panting and labored breathing. If you are unaware of an underlying medical condition and your dog’s breathing is shallow, labored, or otherwise unusual, contact their veterinarian immediately.
Dogs that have short snouts, like pugs, bulldogs, or boxers, may pant more than other dogs. These breeds, known as brachycephalic breeds, are prone to breathing problems and disorders and often pant more frequently than other breeds.
It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s panting, especially in warm summer months. Excessive panting could mean that your dog is having a heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Dogs that are in danger of heatstroke will display symptoms like:
If you suspect your dog is having a heatstroke, get them to a cool place and offer water immediately. Contact their veterinarian and discuss further steps. They will likely need emergency care to ensure they are properly hydrated and cooled. Left untreated, heatstroke can be fatal to dogs.
Panting can be a symptom of dog discomfort. When your dog is in pain, they may pant as a means of self-soothing.
Dogs who are nauseous may also pant. If you can’t explain any other reasons for their panting, it could be that your dog is in serious discomfort. A trip to the veterinarian for a head-to-tail assessment can help determine if your dog’s panting is related to pain.
One type of pain that often goes overlooked is tooth pain. A dog who has a sore tooth or sore gums may pant, paw at their mouth, and refuse food or water.
Unfortunately, tooth decay and gum disease in dogs are extremely common, affecting 80% of dogs over the age of three. Most of these dog owners are unaware that their dog’s oral health is in decline.
It’s not something many dog parents think about frequently. Sure, your dog’s breath is often not-so-pleasant, but most pet parents just accept malodor as normal. In reality, bad dog breath is a symptom of an underlying oral health issue.
Oral hygiene is extremely important for dogs. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to systemic illness and even organ failure. Heart, liver, and kidney disease have all been linked to untreated gum disease. Not to mention, dental pain can make your dog feel terrible.
If you’ve been neglecting your dog’s teeth, there’s no better time to start caring for them. Taking care of your dog’s teeth is easy when you follow these three simple steps.
Brushing your dog’s teeth once per day is ideal. You’ll need a dog-safe toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush. Human toothpaste is made to be expelled, making it a no-go for dogs, who can’t effectively spit out the toothpaste.
Start by brushing your dog’s front teeth and move around to the back teeth as they become more comfortable with the process. Incentivizing the tooth-brushing routine with praise and treats can help them adjust to the activity more easily.
Tooth brushing is an important habit to start early. When your dog reaches six to eight weeks of age, you can go ahead and start brushing those sharp little puppy teeth.
Just like you need your teeth cleaned twice per year, your dog also needs a yearly cleaning. Some dogs will only need a single cleaning each year, while other breeds that are prone to dental issues may need to have their teeth cleaned more frequently.
Talk to your veterinarian about how frequently your dog’s teeth need to be cleaned, and be sure to keep those appointments to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Dental treats and chews are designed to reward your dog and support their oral health. Not all dental treats are created equally.
Yummy Combs® dental treats are the only dental treats that are research-backed and proven to eliminate hardened tartar along your dog’s gumline. Less tartar means less chance of developing decay and disease and even fresher, more neutral breath.
Yummy Combs are designed to floss and scrub 360 degrees of your dog’s teeth, ensuring proper cleaning of all teeth. The thin walls and wide design deter gulping to keep your dog safe. Select ingredients help Yummy Combs dissolve quickly in your dog’s gut to reduce the risk of blockages in the digestive tract.
While it’s important to reduce your dog’s kibble intake when offering treats, this can lead to gaps in their diet, especially if the treats you offer have no nutritional value. Yummy Combs are formulated with 45 whole food ingredients and are made up of 44% chicken protein to help your dog thrive.
Your dog thinks they’re getting a delicious treat, and you’ll get peace of mind knowing you’re supporting their oral health and their tummies.
Panting is a normal process for dogs, but if your dog’s panting is persistent or has recently changed, it’s a good idea to look for other symptoms to determine an underlying cause. If a sore tooth is to blame, a check-up is in order. After they get their tooth fixed, take steps to keep their oral health in tip-top shape at home.
Yummy Combs are a great solution for keeping your dog’s mouth healthy.
Sources:
My Dog Won’t Stop Panting: 8 Reasons & Solutions | The Vets
Heatstroke in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments | American Kennel Club
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
Updates, coupons, deals, and more!
Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
Type anything...
We use cookies to provide you the best possible experience on our website. You consent to the usage of cookies by continuing to view our website. See our Privacy Notice for more information.
