By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Dogs pant to cool down. Unlike people, they do not sweat much through their skin, so open-mouth breathing and evaporating moisture from the tongue and airways is their main heat-loss system. After a walk, play, or a hot Australian afternoon, panting is expected. Heavy panting that appears without exercise, lasts longer than usual, or comes with other signs can point to pain, heat stress, heart or lung disease, Cushing's disease, anaemia, or anxiety.
Key takeaways
- Panting is how dogs cool themselves; it is normal after exercise or in warm weather.
- Heavy panting at rest, at night, or with pale gums, collapse, or a swollen belly needs urgent care.
- Heat stress is far more common than cold injury for most Australian dogs.
- Pain, heart disease, lung disease, Cushing's, and anxiety are common medical causes.
- Never leave a panting dog in a hot car or suntrap, and do not give human medicines.
What normal panting looks like
After exercise, excitement, or heat, most dogs pant with a wide mouth, bright pink tongue, and a rate that slows within 10 to 30 minutes once they rest in a cool place with water. Puppies and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs often pant more because their airways are narrower. That does not mean their panting is always safe. Flat-faced dogs overheat faster and struggle more in humidity.
Common causes of heavy panting
Heat and exertion
Hot weather, humid days, thick coats, overweight bodies, and poorly ventilated spaces all increase panting. Heat stress can progress to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Pain and discomfort
Dogs often pant when they hurt. Abdominal pain, injury, ear infections, pancreatitis, and post-surgery discomfort are common triggers. The dog may also be restless, reluctant to settle, or unwilling to be touched.
Heart and lung disease
Heart failure, heartworm disease, pneumonia, collapsing trachea, and airway obstruction can all cause heavy breathing or panting at rest. You may notice coughing, blue or pale gums, exercise intolerance, or a soft cough that worsens at night. Heartworm remains an important preventable disease in Australia.
Hormonal and metabolic disease
Cushing's disease (excess cortisol) often causes panting, increased thirst, a pot belly, and hair thinning. Fever, anaemia, and some toxin exposures can also drive rapid breathing.
Anxiety and stress
Thunderstorms, fireworks, travel, veterinary visits, and separation anxiety can produce heavy panting with pacing, whining, drooling, and clingy behaviour. See our guide on tips to calm a panting dog for practical settling ideas while you rule out medical causes.
When it is an emergency
Seek urgent veterinary care (or an emergency clinic) if your dog:
- Pants heavily at rest and cannot settle
- Has bright red, pale, blue, or grey gums
- Collapses, seems dizzy, or will not stand
- Has a swollen, hard, or painful belly (possible bloat)
- Vomits repeatedly, has diarrhoea with blood, or seems in severe pain
- Was in a hot car, sun, or enclosed space and is still panting hard after cooling attempts
- Has noisy breathing, choking sounds, or cannot catch their breath
For suspected heat stress, move the dog to shade or air-conditioning, offer cool (not ice-cold) water if they can swallow, wet the coat with cool water, and get to a vet promptly. Do not force water or cover them in ice.
How vets investigate heavy panting
Your vet will take a history (onset, heat exposure, exercise, medications, heartworm prevention) and examine gum colour, heart and lung sounds, temperature, and belly. Depending on findings, they may recommend blood tests, chest X-rays, heart ultrasound, blood pressure measurement, or oxygen support. Treatment targets the underlying cause. We do not list drug doses here; your vet will choose medicines and monitoring based on the diagnosis.
What you can do at home (while arranging care)
- Move your dog to a cool, quiet place with fresh water
- Check for obvious injury, swollen belly, or restricted collar
- Note gum colour, breathing effort, and whether they can walk
- Avoid walks in peak heat; prefer early morning or evening
- Keep heartworm, flea, and tick prevention up to date
- Do not give human painkillers, sedatives, or essential oils
FAQ
Is panting after a walk always normal?
Usually yes if it settles once the dog rests and cools. If panting continues for a long time, or the dog seems distressed, seek advice.
Why does my dog pant at night?
Night panting can be heat, pain, heart disease, Cushing's, or anxiety. Persistent night panting deserves a veterinary check.
Do dogs sweat?
Dogs have limited sweating mainly through paw pads. Panting is their primary cooling method.
Can anxiety alone cause heavy panting?
Yes, but rule out medical causes first, especially if panting is new or severe.
Talk with a vet
If your dog is panting heavily and you are unsure whether it is heat, pain, or something more serious, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you triage the signs and decide on next steps. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Heatstroke and hyperthermia in animals
- RSPCA Australia: Pets and hot weather
- Australian Veterinary Association: Heartworm prevention guidance for dogs
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
