Why is my dog panting?
Panting is a dog’s cooling system, so panting after a walk, in warm weather or when excited is completely normal. Panting that happens at rest, in a cool room, at night, or that does not settle is not — and heatstroke is the version that kills dogs every summer in this country.
Usually not urgent
This is common and often manageable at home — but see a vet if it persists, gets worse, or comes with other changes.
Heatstroke — the emergency
Heavy, frantic panting with drooling, bright red gums, wobbliness, vomiting or collapse in a hot environment is an emergency. Begin cooling immediately and ring a vet while you do it.
Current veterinary advice is to cool first and travel second: pour or spray cool water over the dog, keep air moving over them, and do not wrap them in wet towels, which trap heat. Cold water is not dangerous in this situation — the priority is bringing the temperature down fast.
Dogs die in cars, but they also die on walks in ordinary British summer weather. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, thick-coated dogs, puppies and older dogs are all at higher risk, and exercise is the more common trigger than parked cars.
When ordinary panting is not ordinary
Panting at rest in a cool room, panting through the night, or panting that starts and does not stop, is worth a vet appointment.
Panting is also a pain signal. A dog who is panting alongside restlessness, pacing, an inability to settle, or a hunched posture may be uncomfortable rather than hot.
It can be anxiety — fireworks, a car journey, a vet visit — in which case it comes with pacing, clinginess, drooling and a tucked tail, and it stops when the trigger does.
Some medications, notably steroids, increase panting. So do several medical conditions, including hormonal problems and heart or lung disease. New, unexplained panting in an older dog deserves a check.
Reducing the risk
Walk early or late in hot weather, and use the back of your hand on the pavement — if it is too hot for you to hold there comfortably, it is too hot for paws.
Water should be easy to get to, and some dogs drink noticeably more when it is fresh and moving. Shade and a cool surface to lie on matter more than most owners expect.
Never leave a dog in a parked car, and be as careful about conservatories, caravans and hot rooms, which are the same trap with a different name.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Ice-Silk Cooling Dog Bed with Bolster Edge
A breathable ice-silk cooling bed with a soft bolster edge and a cool-touch centre panel that helps your dog stay comfortable through warm weather. No need to freeze or refrigerate, it cools naturally on contact.
From£12.99
L-Shaped Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
A supportive L-shaped sofa bed with a raised bolster back and side for your dog to rest their head. The thick padded base cushions joints, and the soft rose-velvet cover is removable and washable for easy care.
From£44.99
Plush Checkered Dog Car Back Seat Bed
A quilted checkered car bed that turns the back seat into one flat, cosy platform for your dog.
From£11.99
Stainless Steel Pet Travel Water Bottle
A compact 304 stainless steel travel bottle with a leak-resistant cap and wrist strap for walks.
From£14.99
Common questions
- How much panting is normal for a dog?
- Panting after exercise, in warm weather or when excited is normal and settles within a reasonable time. Panting at rest, in a cool room or through the night is not, and is worth a vet visit.
- What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
- Heavy frantic panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbliness, vomiting or collapse in a hot environment. Start cooling immediately with cool water and ring a vet while you do it.
- Should I put wet towels on an overheating dog?
- No — towels trap heat against the body. Pour or spray cool water over the dog and keep air moving over them, and get to a vet.
- Can panting mean my dog is in pain?
- Yes. Panting alongside restlessness, pacing, an inability to settle or a hunched posture can indicate pain rather than heat, and is worth a same-day call.
- Why does my dog pant at night?
- Night-time panting in a cool room is not normal and can indicate pain, anxiety or an underlying condition. It is worth an appointment, particularly in an older dog.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.