Introduction
Panting is a crucial cooling mechanism for dogs that helps regulate their body temperature. When a dog pants, it rapidly breathes in short, quick breaths, allowing air to quickly flow in and out over the moist surfaces of the tongue, throat, and lungs. This rapid air movement allows evaporation to take place, which cools the blood before it circulates through the dog’s body. Panting allows dogs to cool down without expending energy on sweating like humans do. It is an essential part of how dogs control their body temperature.
Why Dogs Pant
Dogs pant to regulate their body temperature and cool themselves down (1). As dogs inhale, air passes over the moist surfaces of the tongue, nasal passages, and lungs, evaporating moisture. This evaporation has a cooling effect, which helps lower the dog’s body temperature. Panting is an effective means of thermoregulation because dogs have a relatively small amount of sweat glands compared to humans, and panting provides an alternative physiological mechanism to regulate temperature (2).
When a dog’s body temperature rises, either due to hot ambient temperatures, exercise, stress, or other factors, the dog’s respiratory rate increases and it begins to pant. The increased panting brings cool, moist air into the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. As this cool air is exhaled, the moisture evaporates, carrying away heat and cooling the blood that circulates through these respiratory surfaces. This cooled blood then circulates through the dog’s body and helps lower its core temperature.
Sources:
(1) https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-pant/
(2) https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/evr_dg_why_do_dogs_pant
Normal Panting
Light panting is normal for dogs as a way to cool down. As PetMD explains, “Panting allows dogs to cool off when they’re hot or engaged in vigorous exercise. As air moves quickly over the moist surfaces of the tongue, pharynx, and surfaces within the nasal cavities, evaporation of water occurs, which cools these surfaces and the blood circulating below.” When a dog pants lightly with its mouth open and tongue hanging out, this is a normal way for the dog to regulate its body temperature and cool down.
A dog’s panting will increase during hot weather or strenuous exercise as its body works harder to stay cool. The American Kennel Club notes that more rapid panting is normal when a dog is active or excited, and light panting can also be a common occurrence when the dog is resting or sleeping. As long as the panting matches the dog’s activity level and environment, rapid breathing through an open mouth is a normal part of how dogs cool themselves down.
Excessive Panting
While some panting is normal for dogs to cool themselves, panting for long periods may be a sign of distress or an underlying health condition. According to Barkley and Paws, excessive panting is prolonged, heavy breathing where your dog pants constantly without a break.
There are several potential causes for excessive panting in dogs:
- Heat stroke – Dogs cannot sweat like humans, so panting helps them regulate their body temperature. Panting from heat stroke may indicate your dog is overheated.
- Stress and anxiety – New environments, loud noises, travel, or other stressors can trigger anxious panting in dogs.
- Pain – Panting can be a sign your dog is in pain or discomfort.
- Heart conditions – Some heart problems like an enlarged heart can lead to excessive panting.
- Lung disease – Respiratory diseases may make it difficult for dogs to get enough oxygen, requiring them to pant more.
- Anemia – A lower red blood cell count reduces oxygen in the blood, potentially leading to excessive panting.
If your dog is panting far beyond their normal panting, especially if it occurs suddenly, contact your veterinarian to identify and treat the underlying cause.
How Panting Cools Dogs Down
Panting allows dogs to cool themselves through the evaporation of moisture from their tongues and upper respiratory tract. When dogs pant, they take quick, shallow breaths that allow air to quickly flow into the nose and mouth, across surfaces that are moist with saliva. As this air makes contact with the moist surfaces, the moisture evaporates. This evaporation requires heat energy to transition from a liquid to a gas, which cools the underlying moisture-covered surfaces.
The surfaces cooled by moisture evaporation include the tongue, mouth, and upper airways. The blood circulating through the extensive capillary beds in these areas picks up heat from the cooled surfaces. Once the blood is cooled, it circulates through the rest of the dog’s body and helps lower the overall body temperature. The cooled venous blood returning to the heart is then pumped to the lungs where it cools the inhaled air before the next pant. This cyclic process allows panting to serve as an effective evaporative cooling mechanism for dogs.
As explained in this Misfit Animals article, the evaporation of moisture from panting is a key mechanism for how dogs are able to cool themselves without sweating through their skin like humans do. By taking quick, shallow breaths, dogs essentially create an evaporation-based “radiator” inside their mouths and noses to cool down.
Factors Affecting Panting
There are several key factors that influence panting in dogs:
Temperature – Ambient air temperature is one of the main triggers for panting in dogs. As temperatures rise, dogs will pant more to facilitate evaporative cooling. Dogs begin panting when the temperature reaches about 60°F as their bodies start heating up. Panting increases as the mercury climbs to help dispel heat 1.
Humidity – Humidity levels also impact panting. The higher the humidity, the harder it is for dogs to cool down through panting since evaporation happens more slowly. Dogs may pant excessively on humid days even when the temperature is not extremely high 2.
Exercise – Physical activity generates heat internally, so dogs will pant to cool off after exercise. The intensity and duration of exercise impacts how heavily and for how long dogs will pant afterwards. More strenuous, longer exercise leads to more intense panting. Panting from exercise may last from 10 minutes to a few hours depending on the dog’s fitness and other factors 3.
Stress – Anxiety, fear, nervousness and other emotions can also trigger panting in dogs. Stress panting may happen independently or in conjunction with excited panting. Dogs may pant excessively when stressed without other signs of heat or exercise 1.
How Long Dogs Pant
The duration of panting depends on the situation causing a dog to pant in the first place. If a dog is panting due to exercise or heat exposure, they will generally pant intensely for 10-20 minutes before their breathing and heart rate returns to normal. According to PetMD, “Just as a cool-down period after exercise is important for humans, dogs should be allowed the same luxury. Toward the end of the run, power walk for five to 10 minutes to gradually bring down your dog’s heart rate.”
Some key points on how long dogs pant:
- After exercise or play, dogs may pant heavily for 10-20 minutes as their body cools itself down (PetMD). The intensity of the panting will decrease during this cool down period.
- In hot weather, dogs may pant on and off over a longer period of time to maintain a normal body temperature. Panting may persist as long as the temperature remains hot (Kingsdale).
- If a dog is panting due to illness, injury or anxiety, the panting may come and go over hours or days until the underlying cause is resolved.
Excessive panting that lasts more than 10-20 minutes after exercise or persists when the dog is rested and cool may be a sign of an underlying medical issue. If panting seems excessive or does not resolve within a reasonable timeframe, it’s a good idea to contact your veterinarian.
When to Seek Help
While panting is a normal way for dogs to cool down, excessive or abnormal panting can be a sign of a medical issue that requires veterinary attention. According to Northeast Vet, you should contact your vet if your dog is panting for more than 1 hour without stopping.
Prolonged panting can be an indicator of heat stroke, respiratory distress, or other underlying conditions. Pale gums and excessive drooling are also causes for concern, as they can signal circulatory or nausea issues, respectively.
Some specific signs that panting has become excessive and help is needed include:
- Panting heavily even when resting
- Panting throughout the night
- Inability to catch their breath
- Panting accompanied by whining or restlessness
- Pale gums or blue/purple tongue
- Excessive drooling or thick saliva
If you observe any of these symptoms along with prolonged panting, contact an emergency vet right away. Timely treatment is essential for dogs showing signs of respiratory distress or heat stroke.
Tips to Help Overheated Dogs
If your dog is showing signs of overheating, it’s important to act quickly to help them cool down. Here are some tips to help an overheated dog:
Provide cool water – Allow your dog to drink small amounts of cool, fresh water. Don’t allow them to gulp large amounts quickly as this can cause vomiting or bloat.
Get to shade – Move your dog into a shaded or air-conditioned area to lower their body temperature.
Use cooling mats or vests – Special dog cooling mats or vests containing gel packs can help lower your dog’s core body temperature. Make sure gel packs are not freezing cold.
Wet the dog down – Use cool (not cold) water to wet your dog’s fur. Apply to the head, neck, feet and underarms. Don’t use very cold water as it can restrict bloodflow.
Allow rest – Let your dog rest quietly in a cooler area so their body can recover. Monitor them closely.
Offer ice cubes – Offer small ice cubes for your dog to lick which can help cool their mouth and tongue.
Visit a vet – If your dog’s condition is severe or they are unable to cool down, take them to a vet immediately.
Prevention is also important. On hot days, limit exercise to early morning/evening, provide shade, and never leave dogs in parked vehicles.
Summary
Panting is an important cooling mechanism that helps dogs regulate their body temperature on hot days or during physical exertion. When a dog pants, air passes rapidly over the moist surfaces of the tongue and mouth, helping evaporate moisture and dissipate heat. Panting allows dogs to cool down without expending energy on sweating like humans do. Most healthy dogs pant in a normal way to self-regulate, but excessive panting can be a sign of heatstroke or other medical conditions. If your dog seems to be panting excessively or uncontrollably, it’s important to provide water, shade, and rest. Seek veterinary care if the heavy panting persists, as heatstroke can be fatal. By understanding normal panting behavior in dogs and watching for signs of distress, dog owners can help keep their furry companions safe and healthy in hot weather.