Why Is My Dog Panting at Rest or at Night?

By Dr Duncan Houston

If your dog is panting while everyone else is settling for the night, first ask whether they are comfortable. Unexplained panting at rest is not something to dismiss as a personality trait.

Quick Answer

Heat, stress, pain, medication effects and medical disease can all cause panting at rest. A new or persistent pattern should be discussed with your vet, especially with restlessness, coughing, thirst or reduced activity. Breathing effort, collapse, pale or blue gums or an inability to settle comfortably requires emergency care.

What can cause it?

• Environment: a warm room, thick bedding or recent exercise may delay cooling.
• Fear or arousal: noise, unfamiliar surroundings or separation can trigger panting.
• Pain: joint, back or abdominal discomfort may be worse when trying to lie down.
• Medication or hormonal disease: some treatments and conditions can increase panting or thirst.
• Heart, lung or airway problems: these can impair comfortable breathing and need assessment.

An older dog may also have cognitive changes, but confusion and night waking still deserve a medical review. Several causes can occur together.

Choose the next step

Useful observations

1. Record when panting begins and how long it lasts.
2. Note medicines, dose changes, room temperature and recent activity.
3. Watch how easily the dog lies down, rises and walks.
4. Record appetite, drinking, urination and coughing.
5. If your vet recommends it, count quiet sleeping breaths between episodes. Do not count panting as a resting respiratory rate.

When is this an emergency?

Abdominal effort with each breath, neck stretching, inability to lie down, abnormal gum colour or collapse needs immediate care. A swollen belly with repeated unsuccessful retching is also an emergency. Keep your dog calm during transport and do not force food, water or medication.

Common mistakes

• Assuming every night-time episode is anxiety.
• Stopping steroids or another prescribed medicine abruptly.
• Giving human painkillers or sedatives.
• Using a normal-looking nose or tail wag to dismiss illness.

Supporting better nights

Provide a comfortable cool resting area and a predictable routine. Manage diagnosed pain or anxiety with your vet and use suitable daytime exercise and enrichment. Environmental changes can help comfort but should not replace assessment of recurrent signs.

Frequently asked questions

Could it be Cushing's disease?

It is one possibility when other signs fit, but panting alone cannot diagnose it.

What if my dog takes steroids?

Report the pattern to the prescribing vet. They can review treatment safely.

Can I wait until the morning?

Not with respiratory effort, collapse or other emergency signs. Call a clinic if uncertain about a new persistent episode.

A short record of the pattern can guide the investigation, but a struggling dog needs help before documentation.

Further reading

• Cornell: respiratory distress
• VCA: signs of pain
• VCA: home breathing-rate evaluation

For more practical guidance on caring for your dog, explore ASK A VET™. If your dog needs urgent treatment, contact your veterinary clinic directly.