Dealing With Your Dog Panting In Car: A Vet’s Take

It can be highly alarming for a dog owner when they notice their dog panting excessively in the car. While it’s common for dogs and other animals to become anxious during a car ride, panting can happen for various other reasons.

Treating excessive panting in the car starts with identifying why your dog is breathing so heavily. Overheating and anxiety are common causes of excessive panting, but this behavior can also occur due to disease. This article examines why car panting happens, when you should be concerned, and how you can help.

Why Is My Dog Panting In The Car?

Overheating

Dogs often pant in the car because they’re too hot. Cars quickly bake and become uncomfortably warm as they sit in the sun. With their thick fur and inability to sweat, dogs often struggle to cope in hot cars without the assistance of air conditioning.

Preventing heat stroke by helping your dog stay cool is essential. Running the air conditioner for several minutes before using the car on hot days will help keep your dog cool. If your car doesn’t have working air conditioning, ensure to crack the windows open as you drive.

Dog Anxiety

Due to travel anxiety, dogs are also prone to heavy panting during a car ride. It can be highly alarming for dogs to be confined in a new and unfamiliar place. The moving scenes outside the window, the car’s vibrations, and the road’s noises can all worsen the anxiety.

Fortunately, it is possible to reduce your dog’s car-related anxiety over time. The best way to reduce stress is to use treats and rewards to build a positive association with cars in your dog’s mind. Particularly anxious dogs can also benefit from certain types of medication, which should only be administered to your furry friend under a vet’s direction.

Excitement

Dogs often pant for extended periods because they’re excited or recovering from exercise. This is entirely normal to observe. If you believe your dog is getting tired too quickly from exercise, you may wish to ask your veterinarian about possible exercise intolerance.

Some dogs are prone to panting from exertion more than others. In particular, brachycephalic dogs with short noses are especially prone to panting. If your dog is overweight or otherwise unfit, you may also notice a reduced tolerance for exercise and excitement.

Car Sickness

Issues like dog car anxiety and overheating can heavily resemble motion or car sickness, accompanied by licking lips and drooling. Untreated car sickness can even become a cause of stress. You should consult a veterinarian about possible motion sickness if vomiting or diarrhea occurs.

Do I Need To Take My Panting Dog To The Vet?

Generally, panting dogs do not need to be taken to the veterinarian. Issues with the car can often be resolved by training your dog to associate positively with the vehicle and running the air conditioner when necessary. You should also consider medication where applicable.

In some cases, taking your panting dog to the vet is necessary. Panting can often be a symptom of a serious underlying disease. If you notice that your dog is displaying other concerning symptoms, you should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog continues to pant excessively without other symptoms, you should also consider making an appointment.

Respiratory distress can often resemble minor bouts of panting. You should monitor your dog for other symptoms to determine if the panting might indicate something more serious. Consider visiting the veterinarian if you notice the following symptoms.

• Blue gums
• Fainting
• Wheezing and coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Exercise intolerance

You should also look for signs that your dog might be experiencing pain. Labored breathing can sometimes indicate that your dog struggles to cope with an underlying condition. Here are some common symptoms of pain in dogs.

• Shaking and stiffness
• Flattened ears and low posture
• Grumpiness, aggression, or reluctance
• Unwilling to engage in regular activity
• Panting, crying, or whining
• Excessive licking or scratching

If you notice any other unusual symptoms, it is essential to consult a veterinarian. Hormonal conditions, side effects of medications, hypertension, and fevers are all among the conditions that can cause excessive panting.

How To Make Your Dog More Comfortable

Use The Air Conditioner To Keep Things Cool

Dogs can need help with handling the heat. They rely on panting and other behaviors to regulate their own body temperature. You can help your dog keep cool by turning the air conditioner on during a car ride. You can also crack the windows to allow in the fresh air.

Consider Aromatherapy

Many dog owners rely on Adaptil pheromone aromatherapy and scents like lavender and sandalwood to help their dogs feel comfortable during drives. Spraying these scents on the floorboard, seat, or carrier can help reduce travel anxiety and improve calmness.

Use Window Shades To Keep Cool And Comfortable

Windows are often a significant factor in why dogs pant in the car. Some dogs are overheated by the sunshine pouring through the windows. Other dogs become anxious when they see how quickly the unfamiliar landscapes and vehicles pass by. Window shades eliminate both sources of discomfort.

Consider Using A Carrier

If your dog is carrier-trained, they may consider the crate a safe and familiar place. This makes carriers vital in reducing travel anxiety and keeping your dog comfortable. Carriers can substantially reduce abnormal panting and stress for many dogs.

Use Behavioral Training To Reduce Anxiety

Dogs sometimes excessively pant while in the car because they’re anxious and haven’t had the opportunity to learn that a vehicle is a safe place. Offering treats to your dog during a drive and gradually increasing the distance you travel can quickly help your dog form a positive association with car rides.

Consider Using Medication To Treat Anxiety

Medication is one of the best solutions you can use if your dog’s excessive panting in the car is caused by anxiety. Medicines like clomipramine and dexmedetomidine can help your dog adapt to stressful situations, especially when combined with behavioral therapy. Again, these medications should only be administered to your dog under a vet’s direction.

Keeping Your Dog Happy And Stress-Free in the Car

Knowing why your dog is panting excessively during a car trip and figuring out how to help can be difficult. When you create positive associations with the car and focus on keeping your dog comfortable, you can often quickly end the abnormal breathing.

Incredible resources to help your canine best friend can also be found with the help of veterinarians.