Is It Normal for Puppies to Breathe Fast? Understanding the Signs

If your puppy is panting and hyperventilating, it can be an extremely alarming sight. It’s easy to start wondering if you need to be seriously worried about the health of your puppy. Unfortunately, it isn’t always clear whether fast breathing is normal breathing. Sometimes, it can be a sign of overexertion or even thermoregulation.

Sometimes, fast breathing signals your puppy is suffering from a medical condition. They may breathe quickly because they’re anemic and struggling to get the right amount of oxygen. In other cases, puppies have been known to breathe rapidly in response to severe pain. Determining the cause of rapid breathing is essential for keeping your puppy happy and healthy.

Is My Puppy Really Breathing Fast?

While it’s easy to start worrying that your puppy might be unwell when you see their fast breathing, it’s important to note that a puppy naturally breathes at a faster respiratory rate than an adult dog.

An adult dog tends to have 10 to 30 breaths per minute, while puppies can have as many as 15 to 40. If you notice that your puppy breathes slightly faster than adults, it’s probably nothing to worry about.

In other cases, if your puppy has a noticeable rapid breathing rate or seems to have difficulty breathing, it is worth considering if it might be a sign of an underlying issue. Sometimes, it may result from a bit of play or excitement.

It’s also worth considering if your dog might be predisposed to rapid breathing — for example, if you have a brachycephalic dog, like a Boston terrier or French bulldog, they are known to breathe differently. If your puppy is showing alarming signs, like flared nostrils and pale gums, you must visit the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Harmless Causes of Fast Breathing in Puppies

If you’ve confirmed that your puppy is breathing quickly but doesn’t seem to have any alarming symptoms, the next best thing you can do is consider why they might be breathing quickly. In most cases, it’s possible to rule out concerns about a bout of fast breathing by using the process of elimination. Here are some of the most common harmless signs to look out for.

Excitement

You’ve probably felt your heart rate spike when you had an amazing surprise. For puppies, it can often seem like every day comes with incredible surprises! As a result, it’s not uncommon to observe that your puppy seems to breathe quickly when they’re excited about something.

In fact, your puppy can even experience quick breathing while they sleep if they dream about something exciting. You may also notice signs like twitching and whimpering if your dog is dreaming.

Anxiety

Just like excitement can cause your puppy’s breathing rate to increase, anxiety can have the same effect. If you recently brought your puppy into your home, they may breathe quickly due to the stress and apprehension they feel from the unfamiliar environment.

As they adjust to the separation and grow more comfortable with their new family, puppies who exhibit symptoms like fast breathing from anxiety gradually seem to outgrow the issue.

Temperature

It’s never fun to be stuck outside on an exceedingly hot day. Because they rely on panting for thermoregulation, dogs often suffer from the effects of a hot day significantly more. Because puppies are young and aren’t as good at thermoregulating their bodies, they can develop issues like heat stroke. If your puppy seems to be breathing fast because they’re too hot, it’s essential to help them cool down as soon as possible.

Exercise

Lastly, exercise is one of the most common causes of fast breathing in puppies. Puppies have lots of energy, so it’s not uncommon to find them panting and recovering from their latest session of zooming around the house.

If you suspect your puppy might be breathing quickly because they exerted themselves, the best way to verify this is by checking in ten to fifteen minutes later and seeing if rest helped.

Dangerous Causes of Fast Breathing in Puppies to Watch For

While there are quite a few harmless causes of fast breathing in puppies, there are also a variety of painful conditions and diseases that can cause abnormal breathing or respiratory distress.

If you can’t determine the cause of your puppy’s fast breathing, consider whether it might be a sign of a serious illness and if your puppy might need veterinary attention. Here are some dangerous causes of fast breathing you should look out for.

Pain

While puppies do their best to hide their pain, it can quickly become evident if you notice symptoms like fast breathing and strange behavior. If you suspect your puppy might be breathing rapidly because they’re in pain, you should check for external wounds. If none are found, you may need the help of a veterinarian to look for possible causes of the pain.

Anemia

Your dog breathes to help their red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs and muscles within their body. If they don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen, they will need to breathe faster to compensate. This condition is known as anemia and is often accompanied by symptoms like low energy and pale gums. Providing dietary support and determining the cause of the anemia is essential.

Severe Dehydration

While red blood cells are essential for transporting oxygen to your puppy’s muscles and organs, it isn’t the only part of the blood that matters. Hydration is important, too. You should ensure your puppy has access to water at all times. Visiting the veterinarian is crucial if your puppy suffers from diarrhea or vomiting and develops fast breathing.

Respiratory Disease

One dangerous cause of fast breathing in puppies is a respiratory condition. Because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, puppies are prone to developing severe respiratory illnesses. The best way to prevent respiratory disease in your puppy is to keep up with their vaccinations.

Heart Disease

Just like anemia can harm the ability of your dog’s body to nourish its cells with oxygen, heart disease can often impact your puppy’s breathing as their body struggles to compensate. Unfortunately, heart disease in puppies is often caused by congenital defects, so it’s essential to attempt to catch the issue with regular veterinary checkups.

Diaphragmatic Hernia (PPDH)

Congenital heart defects aren’t the only medical condition that can impact a puppy’s breathing. Congenital abnormalities known as peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernias (PPDH) can cause a muscle known as the diaphragm to develop improperly. As a result, your puppy’s lungs may be compressed enough to cause an abnormal breathing problem.

When in Doubt, Rely on Veterinary Advice

There are many harmless causes of fast breathing in puppies, but unfortunately, many terrifying diseases can cause trouble breathing, too. If you notice that your puppy seems to have an increased respiratory rate and you aren’t sure why, seeking the help of a veterinarian is the best choice.

Whether you receive peace of mind or discover that your dog needs treatment for a medical or respiratory condition, when you work with a qualified veterinarian, you will know that your puppy’s health is in the right hands.