REASONS WHY YOUR DOG IS PANTING

Is he too hot, ill, excited, fearful, in pain? Yes. It can be any of these reasons.   

Many doggie actions are just accepted by owners. These include big wet kisses, an excited bark (whenever the word “walk” is mentioned) and their pup’s mouth open with tongue hanging out, panting after playtime. Let’s focus on the panting…

According to PetMD.com, after Fido plays catch for a half hour, he’s both energized from playing and hot, especially during this humid summer season. Dogs pant for reasons spanning from excitement and exercise to stress and even illness.

Panting is a dog’s way of circulating air throughout their bodies in an effort to cool down. This process is similar to a human beginning to sweat; however due to most dogs fur/coat, they do not sweat through their skin, but through their tongue, ears and even their paw pads!

After intense play, it is perfectly normal for your pup to pant but if after a significant break from activity, they continue to pant heavily then this might be a sign of heatstroke. Moving to a cooler area or even indoors can remedy this! Also, don’t forget water for your dog as well as yourself when playing outdoors during hotter weather.

While panting for the most part is quite common with dogs of all ages, there are times when panting must be monitored in order to prevent dangerous complications. These complications include heatstroke, allergic reaction or illness.

Panting without any physical exercise can be a symptom of a more serious problem as well. Accompanied by vomiting, difficulty breathing and/or lethargy, a dog’s panting could indicate an ingestion of poison or an allergic reaction. It is important to monitor any changes in activity and to contact your local veterinarian if you believe your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms.