Why Is My Dog Panting At Night?

We all know that dogs pant all the time or at least every single day. But, why is my dog panting at night? There are a few explanations for why this happens. Some are not dangerous and they are perfectly normal. Others are dangerous and need professional help. Below we are going to explain both types and see the most common reasons and explanations.

Why Is My Dog Panting At Night?

Reasons that are not dangerous to your pet

Why is my dog panting at night? Let’s start with reasons that are ordinary, far from dangerous, and that affect most dogs at some time. If your dog is panting due to one of these reasons, there is no need to worry about it.

• Their anatomy

Some dog breeds such as pugs, boxers, and more will pant throughout the night due to the shape of their airways. Their anatomy causes obstructions which creates panting. You don’t have to do anything about it.

• He is cooling down

Most dogs will pant the entire night if they are too warm. They have thick fur and panting is used to decrease the body temperature. The tongue out of the mouth allows water to evaporate much faster and decrease the temperature.

• Old dog

Old dogs will pant more frequently. Their body is changing and one of those changes that may appear is panting. There are countless examples here and there are a lot of additional explanations but usually, older dogs pant more than younger ones.

Dangerous reasons why your dog pants the entire night

These are dangerous reasons why your pet has been panting the entire night. There are a few of them and each one is severe in its own way. You will have to take him to a vet and get professional help. All you have to do is to notice the panting as soon as possible.

• Cushing’s disease

This disease is caused by increased cortisol hormone that is produced by adrenal glands. One of the symptoms is panting. It lasts the entire day and night. Hair and skin deviations, increased thirst and increased body weight can be other symptoms to notice in this case. 

• Heatstroke

Yes, dogs who are having a heatstroke will pant all day and the entire night. This can happen when the temperature is high in the summer. You should look for other signs that your dog will show. Red tongue, increased heart rate, glazing eyes, and also increased thirst are the most common.

• Allergy

Yes, dogs can suffer from an allergic reaction and it is more common than you may believe. Increased panting that doesn’t stop will be one of the symptoms. Also keep in mind that pollen, grass, flowers and so much more can cause allergies in your dog. Always check for tick bites around the neck. If there are some, they can clog the airways and it is an extremely dangerous issue. 

• Heart problems

Heart issues can cause panting in dogs. Your pet will also show weakness that lasts all the time and be tired throughout the day. There is no need in adding that this is one of the most severe reasons here and that it needs immediate help from a vet. If treated as soon as the disorder appears, most of the treatments are fairly successful and effective. 

• Due to pain

Your dog can pant all the time when pain is present. Keep in consideration that dogs are born in the wild and they don’t like to show the pain that easily. He may be able to hide the pain for some time but not as long. Panting and various noises your dog makes can be symptoms here. There is no need in telling you that you should take him to a vet immediately. Any type of pain can cause panting. Even a small wound can cause panting so you need to look at the details and a wider picture. 

• Issues with the respiratory tract

Pneumonia or countless other respiratory tract issues can cause panting. These will usually be followed by other symptoms such as fever, weakness, inflammation, and others. If you see any of these, call your vet immediately. Some of these diseases are far more common during the winter while others can occur at any part of the year. 

• Too much weight

One of the modern and common issues that affect many dogs these days is obesity. Dogs who suffer from too much weight will pant all the time. Obesity can cause other health issues and complications such as heart diseases, arthritis, and many more diseases and disorders. As you may know, your pet does need a lot of physical activity and he needs a healthy diet. This is important due to so many reasons and at the end of the day, your pet will have a much healthier and longer lifespan. 

• Anxiety

Dogs can pant due to stress and anxiety as well. There are countless reasons and explanations in this scenario. For instance, your pet may pant due to the fact you have moved to a new home. A new owner is a huge stress as well. Dogs who are scared will pant all the time. Dogs who are too excited can pant also but this doesn’t have to be caused by stress or some massive change in their life. Just because something doesn’t affect you, it doesn’t mean it won’t affect your dog. Stress, if it lasts a long time, can cause all kinds of health-related issues. 

The final word 

Why is my dog panting at night? As you were able to see, there are a lot of explanations and reasons why your dog does this. You should start with simple things like giving some water to a dog, making the temperature in the room lower and trying to calm him down. If nothing works and your dog pants still, make sure to take him to a vet. He can diagnose any health-related issues and prescribe a proper treatment. If you start soon, most of the treatments are very effective.

Also, you can read my other articles:

• How To Boil Chicken For Dogs Like A Pro.
• Shaving German Shepherd: The Worst Thing You Can Do.
• Why Are Chihuahuas So Aggressive?