Why do dogs pant is a frequently asked question with more than one simple answer. Dogs can pant for all sorts of reasons, from emotions to physical activity.
Why Do Dogs Pant
Unlike humans with sweat glands all over to cool you down, a dog only has sweat glands on their paw pads. Because of this, they pant as a way to help cool their body down. Panting serves as a way to increase airflow, which cools and evaporates the moisture and humidity in their nose and mouth, helping keep them cool. Because they are using their own moisture to help cool down, make sure they have access to plenty of water.
Reason Why Dogs Pant
Dogs pant for a lot of different reasons, and not all of them are just because they’re hot or they’ve been playing too much.
Activity
Dogs often pant during and after exercise and activities as a way to stay cool and increase their oxygen intake.
Excitement
When dogs are excited, they tend to pant. This can be from seeing you, from meeting a new person or animal, or being presented with a treat or favorite activity, such as a walk.
They’re Hot
The most commonly known source of dogs panting is just because they’re hot. Dogs outside in warm weather will often pant, even if they’re just sitting there, as a way to keep cool and help regulate their body heat.
Heatstroke – They’re Too Hot
When dogs are hot, they can become too hot and cause them to overheat or even suffer from heatstroke. If your dog is panting heavily in the heat, they can easily become too dehydrated. Make sure they have ample water available, and be sure to bring them inside, or at least move them to the shade.
Stress
Just like dogs can pant when they’re excited, they may also pant as a response to being stressed. If you notice your dog looks wide-eyed or afraid while panting, this is a good sign that they are stressed at that moment.
Medication
Some medications your dog may be prescribed can cause panting as a side effect. Make sure you are aware of all side effects from any medications your dog is taking and monitor them for side effects or allergic reactions.
Pain
Dogs will not always vocalize that they’re in pain and may simply try to tough it out. This can lead to them becoming physically strained and panting from exertion. If you notice this in your dog and can identify a source of pain or an area your dog is guarding or licking excessively, you can take your dog to the vet to figure out how to help them.
How to Identify Abnormal Panting
Healthy dogs don’t tend to pant without something to prompt them to do so, such as heat, excitement, activity, or stress. When you notice your dog panting at strange or unwarranted times, you may need to pay more attention to them.
Are There Other Signs Something is Wrong?
If you notice other signs and symptoms that something is wrong while your dog is panting, you should probably make a call or visit your vet to treat any issues.
Identify and Rule Out Reasons for Normal Panting
If you find your dog panting at odd times, such as when they’re sleeping or just lounging around, rule out factors such as heat or stress. If your dog is still panting after you’ve ruled out all possible reasons, you may need to call your vet.
Listen for Sound Changes in Your Dog’s Panting
Some dog breeds are prone to conditions that prevent them from properly cooling themselves down while panting. If your dog has an issue, you may notice a change in tone in your dog’s panting that may sound abrasive.
Call Your Vet if Unsure
If at any time you’re unsure of what your dog is doing and why, you can always call your vet and ask for advice.
You might find yourself asking why do dogs pant, and the answer is more than just because they’re hot. Dogs can pant to express their emotions or as a side effect of pain or medication, as well as just being warm.
