If dogs breathe heavily or even start to wheeze, this can indicate existing allergies, poisoning or asthma. In some cases, the breathing problems are also due to anemia, heat stroke, bronchitis or heart failure.
Doctors refer to this as “dyspnea”. This is the technical term for when the dog finds it difficult to breathe and therefore struggles with shortness of breath and shortness of breath.
During physical exertion, rapid and heavy breathing is completely normal for dogs. Because here the body needs more oxygen.
When resting, healthy dogs usually breathe in and out between 10 and 35 times. The average here is 24 breaths per minute. [1]
To check your breathing rate, all you need is a stopwatch, a pen and a piece of paper. Then you just have to keep a tally sheet for a minute.
Before you go to the vet, it is helpful to know the following 2 technical terms. Because these can help diagnose the cause:
- Hyperpnea = Increased tidal volume when the dog breathes in and out very deeply.
- Tachypnea = Increased breathing rate when the dog breathes quickly.
Young and small dogs tend to breathe faster, but not really heavier. If your dog suddenly breathes quickly while sleeping, it is usually due to dreams.
In addition, being overweight can also be responsible for heavy breathing. Because here the additional fatty tissue restricts the function of the lungs and the respiratory tract. [2]
Then let's take a closer look at the most common causes:
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#1 Bronchitis
When you breathe, air travels to the lungs via the lower respiratory tract (“bronchi”). However, if these airways become inflamed, doctors also speak of “bronchitis”.
In individual cases, such inflammation can also become chronic. This is the case if it lasts longer than 2 months. The most common causes include:
- bacteria
- Blood-sucking parasites
- Allergies
- Viruses
- Inhalation of irritants [3]
The most common occurrence here is a regular and strong cough. However, the exact symptoms depend on the cause. Typical signs here are:
- Rattling noise when breathing
- Gagging and vomiting
- Dog is breathing heavily
- Rapid exhaustion
- Constant whining
- Loud and wheezing breathing
- Lack of drive and energy [4]
The treatment depends on the cause and the degree of severity. Antibiotics are usually used for bacterial infections.
Antihistamines can help with allergies and, depending on the type, special medications are usually used for parasites. The vet can help here.
Due to the inflammation, dogs with bronchitis have poor air quality, breathe more heavily and appear unusually lethargic. In addition, affected four-legged friends cough very often, become exhausted quickly and often have coughing attacks in combination with constant gagging.
#2 Allergies
According to statistics, up to one in five dogs struggle with allergies. They are triggered by so-called “allergens”. [5] Typical examples are here:
- Cleaning products and soap
- Insecticides and chemicals
- Cigarette smoke and perfumes
- Grasses and pollen
- Certain foods [6]
The onset of symptoms can often provide conclusions about the possible cause. Allergic reactions after eating usually indicate food allergies, for example.
In the case of contact dermatitis, the symptoms only occur where there has been direct contact. In addition to difficult breathing, there are usually other symptoms:
- Sudden diarrhea
- Swelling and redness
- Constant sneezing
- Irregular or rapid breathing
- Nose constantly running
- Nausea and vomiting [7]
If you have acute breathing problems, antihistamines can bring about improvement. In the long term, however, it is important to avoid the underlying allergens.
To find out what your dog is allergic to, an allergy test can help. You can do this at the vet or from the comfort of your own home using a test kit.
Alternatively, such a free food check can also help to get individual food recommendations and free food samples.
Allergic reactions can narrow the airways and lead to breathing problems. Allergies can usually be recognized by the dog suddenly vomiting, swelling, breathing heavily and generally breathing very loudly.
#3 Poisoning
Unfortunately, you always read in the news that people are setting out poison bait with razor blades and nails. Absolutely terrible thing.
In most cases, however, dog owners unintentionally poison their four-legged friends themselves. Because many beginners think that all ordinary foods are also suitable for dogs.
However, for reasons that are still unclear, this is not the case. On the contrary! Many foods in your daily diet can be fatal to dogs. This includes:
- Onions and garlic
- yeast and hops
- Avocados and macadamia nuts
- Cocoa and chocolate
- Alcohol and sugar alcohol
- Grapes and raisins [8]
You can usually recognize food poisoning by diarrhea, vomiting, sudden wheezing, excessive drooling and heavy breathing.
In addition to the above foods, dogs also often swallow cleaning products, toxic plants, rat poison, foreign feces, drugs or medication out of curiosity.
These can also be responsible for the poisoning. The problem? Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause. Typical signs here are:
- Restless behavior
- Lack of motivation
- Unusually rapid breathing
- Trembling at rest
- Loss of appetite
- Heavy panting [9]
Severe poisoning can even lead to liver and kidney failure or even be fatal. If you suspect anything, I recommend contacting the emergency veterinary service immediately.
Various poisonings can cause breathing problems in dogs and manifest themselves as rapid, loud or heavy breathing. In most cases, common foods are responsible. As a precaution, you should consult your veterinarian.
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#4 Brachycephalic syndrome
If your dog breathes quickly or even wheezes with his mouth closed, it is usually because his nostrils are genetically too narrow.
This occurs most frequently in the so-called “brachycephalic dog breeds”. This includes all four-legged friends with a short snout due to their breeding:
- pug
- German boxer
- Pekingese
- English bulldog
- Shih Tzu
- Boston terriers
- French bulldog
- Chihuahuas [10]
These dogs naturally have an elongated palate and narrow nostrils, which means less air and oxygen reaches the lungs when they breathe in and out.
In principle, developmental disorders can also be responsible for this, so that breathing is quite laborious and loud due to developmental reasons.
These breathing problems are so common that they are also known as “brachycephalic syndrome”. It is particularly noticeable during physical activity and heat. [11]
In serious cases, the nostrils can be surgically widened. Only your vet can answer whether this is really necessary.
Dogs with brachycephalic syndrome cannot breathe enough air due to their narrowed nostrils. They therefore breathe in and out significantly faster and more heavily in order to meet their oxygen needs. Four-legged friends with a flat face are particularly affected.
#5 Heart failure
The heart primarily serves as a pump in the body to transport oxygen-rich blood to all of the dog's vital organs.
However, if this pump is too weak, doctors speak of “heart failure”. As a result, the organs are inadequately supplied. [12]
This also affects, among other things, the lungs, which are responsible for absorbing oxygen. However, heavy breathing is one of many possible symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Dog tires quickly
- Constant panting
- Rapid and rattling breathing
- Pale colored gums
- Frequent coughing
- swelling of the abdomen [13]
In most cases, a blood test, an ultrasound scan and an EKG are sufficient to diagnose the cause. Treatment then depends on the cause.
If your age or genetics are responsible, medication is usually prescribed. However, there is no cure for this.
Dogs with heart failure can no longer adequately supply their lungs and other organs with blood. Among other things, this leads to affected four-legged friends becoming exhausted very quickly, breathing heavily and generally appearing very listless.
#6 Anxiety and stress
Chronic stress or severe fear in dogs causes the stress hormones “adrenaline” and “cortisol” to be released in the body.
These hormones not only ensure that the dog is always on alert, but also influence the four-legged friend's breathing. Typical symptoms here are:
- Head turned away
- Avoiding eye contact
- Rapid and heavy breathing
- Ears laid back
- Lowered muzzle
- Retracted tail
- Restless behavior
- Physical tremors [14]
Loneliness, loud noises, violence in upbringing and a lack of socialization are among the most common causes.
In older dogs over 8 years old, dementia can also be involved. Because the decrease in brain performance and memory is accompanied by severe anxiety.
The first step should be to identify the possible cause. If you know the trigger, you can either remove it or get your dog used to it. [15]
Severe fear or chronic stress influence dogs' breathing on a hormonal level. Affected dogs usually have their tails tucked in, their ears folded back, breathing with difficulty, behaving restlessly and often begin to tremble.
#7 Anemia
If you take a closer look at dog blood under the microscope, you'll see that almost 50% of it consists of solid components.
Blood cells make up the largest part of this. However, if there are too few red blood cells available, then doctors speak of “anemia”.
Their primary task is to supply the entire body and especially the organs with oxygen. The heavy breathing here is just an attempt to maintain the process.
When you breathe in deeper, more oxygen reaches your lungs. Other typical symptoms include:
- Lack of motivation
- Dog refuses food
- Rapid exhaustion
- Dog sleeps a lot
- Pale gums
- Constant tiredness[