Depending on their age, a dog usually breathes between 14 and 20 times per minute. If the four-legged friend starts panting, However, this frequency increases many times over. Unfortunately, this phenomenon often occurs when you don't expect it, namely in the evening just before you go to bed.
Why is that? And what can you do about it? You can find it in the following article The 14 most common causes of panting in the evening in the dog. Furthermore I give you 6 tips, which can help you solve the problem and make life more pleasant for your four-legged friend.
14 common causes for dog panting in the evening
1. Too high room temperature
If the dog is panting in the evening and there are no other abnormalities, this may be the reason Room temperature too high is. This is often not just on hot summer days the case: Even in winter, a well-warmed apartment is important – especially with Underfloor heating – sometimes too much for the four-legged friend.
Dogs hardly sweat and instead try to regulate their heat balance through breathing: they drink water and pant heavily, the liquid then evaporates in the body, which causes the body temperature to drop.
Tips for Dealing with Dogs Suffering from Heat Stroke. Source: Animalia Animal Protection / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk-2YJCGCNQ .
2. The four-legged friend has Fear or is nervous
Another common reason for panting is Fear or nervousness: When the dog picks up something, the heart rate and breathing rate increase. Accordingly, the four-legged friend needs more trains to supply his body with oxygen.
If there are strong moments of shock, this ends in panting. Acute anxiety is often triggered by an event, such as a loud bang. triggered. But it is also possible that something is permanently scary to the animal, for example a shadow that it cannot identify.
Nervousness can also be genetic. The body's reaction often occurs in the evening, as the dog then has more time to deal with the impressions of the day. The approaching darkness also causes more frequent anxiety.
Anxiety disorders in dogs
Many four-legged friends also suffer from constant anxiety. Most of the time these are caused by bad experiences. According to a study, especially
- Noise sensitivity
- General anxiety disorders and
- Separation anxiety
widespread.
Source: Tira et.al.: Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioral variation in canine anxiety. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 16 (2016), 36-44.
3. More constant stress
Is closely related to anxiety disorders chronic stress. However, this is not caused by a specific event, but is present all the time.
There are many reasons for this: Lack of sleep can be responsible, but too much hustle and bustle, noise or strenuous activities such as driving are also typical factors.
If the dog is overloaded in this way, the brain stops Stress hormones like adrenaline free. The four-legged friend is then constantly under electricity, which also influences the breathing rate.
4. The dog belongs to someone brachycephalic breed to
Your four-legged friend is more likely to have one short snout? Then he belongs to a group that is also known as experts “brachycephalic breed”. This phenomenon is genetically determined; affected animals have been specifically bred for this characteristic over generations – for practical or aesthetic reasons.
Known breeds that are affected include:
- American, English & French Bulldogs
- Boston terriers
- boxer
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Chihuahuas
- Lhasa Apsoss
- Maltese
- Pugs
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzus and
- Miniature Pinscher.
Source: Small animal practice at the park, Rheinfelden.
Brachycephalic dog breeds are increasingly being criticized because: highly overbred representatives May have breathing problems: Their nostrils are often too small, so they need more breaths to get enough oxygen. This is why these animals often experience rattling and heavy panting.
But this does not affect all representatives of these breeds: There are also brachycephalic types that can live with almost no restrictions. Nevertheless, you can occasionally observe heavy panting, especially in the evening after the day's activities.
5. Heavy expenditure
For many dog owners, the evening is the perfect moment to take their four-legged friend for a long walk: people then have time, the animals benefit because they can do their “business” again and use up energy.
But sometimes that can be too much of a good thing: Should the dog relax at the end of the day spend heavily and, for example, if he has run around a lot, then he is understandably quite exhausted when he comes home.
The pulse then increases, which means the animal has to breathe more often: panting is then the logical consequence.
6. Digestive problems
Occasionally there are too Digestive problems Cause of panting. This is particularly the case at the end of the day when the dog is served dinner comparatively late.
Then it could be complications, for example Feed intolerance act. A certain ingredient then causes an allergic reaction, which the body responds to, for example, with the release of stress hormones and an increased breathing rate.
Also Constipations are often associated with similar problems. Frequent other symptoms This cause includes, among other things, diarrhea, vomiting and pain in the abdomen, which lead to the four-legged friend being kept in a protective position.
7. Cardiovascular problems
If your dog is panting just before going to bed, it can also be one Cardiovascular disease be behind it. This is often the case Heart muscle problems or about malfunctioning Heart valves.
Heart problems can be congenital, but sometimes they are acquired throughout life. The blood circulation is slowed down, which increases the breathing rate. In advanced cases, even minor efforts become difficult and the dog then begins to pant.
This is particularly noticeable when there is actually no reason for it – many dog owners therefore only notice panting when the animal should actually be calming down. A strong cough often occurs at night – also as “Cough of the heart” known – added.
8. Respiratory tract infections & other diseases
If your four-legged friend is panting heavily in the evening, it could also be that he is simply sick. This is often initially harmless respiratory tract infection, So it's a cold.
When the dog's immune system fights these, the pulse and breathing rate increase. It is also quite possible that the nose is blocked. In order to still receive oxygen, The animals then breathe more through their mouths. An increased body temperature also contributes to panting.
Similar symptoms can also occur with other viral diseases and bacterial infections.
Other signs of a cold in dogs:
- Sniffles
- Increased body temperature
- Cough
- Calmer behavior, dog sleeps a lot.
9. Injuries & Pains
Is your darling significantly calmer than usual in the evening, but is panting a lot? Then you should too Pain as a possible cause consider. When the dog is suffering, the breathing rate automatically increases due to the stress hormones.
Pain can come from chronic suffering – e.g. joint diseases – are caused, but also by one acute injury originate. If your four-legged friend is affected, he will try not to move less than necessary. Posturing and limping can also be observed.
Dogs instinctively try not to let it show when they are in pain. You should definitely take a closer look at the animal if it is panting heavily in the evening.
10. Allergies
At a allergy The body plays a trick on the dog: substances that are actually harmless are then classified as harmful and cause one Overreaction of the immune system.
The number of possible allergens is almost infinite. These are often environmental influences such as pollen or plants, but chemical substances such as cleaning products are also possible. More and more four-legged friends are also being diagnosed with food allergies – which are congenital, as opposed to intolerances.
As the body is put on alert, heart and breathing rate increases. If the dog is exposed to the allergen in the evening – e.g. through food, an incompatible toy or a dog bed that is unsuitable for the four-legged friend – he may then begin to pant regularly.
Other possible signs of allergies
- Itching, frequent scratching
- Excessive licking of paws & flanks
- Skin inflammations
- Ear infections
- Hair loss
- Vomiting & Diarrhea
- swelling in the skin (hives)
- Swelling in the face
- Tremble.
Source: Dr. Christian Dimitriadis, veterinarian with Dr. SAM.
11. Hormonal disorders
Our four-legged friends can also stay here Disturbances of the hormonal balance suffer.
The best-known endocrinological diseases that affect four-legged friends are:
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), metabolism slows down
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), the metabolism is much too fast
- diabetes
- Cushing's syndrome (the adrenal glands release too much cortisone) and
- Addison's disease (autoimmune disease in which the adrenal glands are destroyed and hormone secretion is disrupted).
Affected animals often have either far too much or far too little energy: If the former is the case, the dog will often overexert itself and pant accordingly at the end of the day. In other cases, the dog is so tired that even simple activities completely exhaust him.
12. Symptoms of poisoning
The four-legged friend is suddenly panting heavily without any history or other factors playing a role? Then you should act immediately, because it could be that your four-legged friend poisoned became.
Unfortunately there is countless toxic substances, which can be fatal for dogs: Many supposedly harmless foods such as certain types of fruit and vegetables, spices or even chocolate have a toxic effect.
Are particularly treacherous poison bait, which are designed for pest control. These have a time-delayed effect, so that several days can pass between admission and the first symptoms.
If a dog is poisoned, the body reacts with defensive reactions: Among other things, the pulse and breathing increase sharply, which then leads to panting. Severe digestive problems such as (bloody) vomiting and diarrhea, apathetic behavior up to unconsciousness, wheezing, choking and high fever are also typical symptoms.
Not every poisoning leads to immediate death, but it always does Danger to life: So you have to take your four-legged friend Take him to a vet immediately – even at night if necessary.
13. anemia
At a anemia The dog lacks red blood cells, which makes oxygen transfer in the blood more difficult. The animals then instinctively try to…