Dog Panting at Night 2025: What’s Normal & When to Worry 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Your dog seems fine during the day—but as soon as the lights go off, they start panting, pacing, or acting restless. Night-time panting can be normal—or it can signal pain, anxiety, or an underlying medical issue.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Here’s what causes dogs to pant at night, when it’s a concern, and what you can do to help them (and yourself) sleep better.

🌙 When Panting at Night Is Normal

• After heavy exercise in the evening
• In warm or humid indoor environments
• Short-term excitement (new visitor, bedtime play)

🚩 When It Might Be a Problem

• Persistent panting for several nights in a row
• Panting paired with pacing, whining, or hiding
• Older dogs who suddenly start night panting
• Panting that isn’t explained by heat or exertion

🔍 Causes of Night-Time Panting

1. Anxiety or Stress

• Separation anxiety when you go to bed
• Storms, fireworks, or nighttime noises
• Changes in the environment, like moving or traveling

2. Pain or Discomfort

• Arthritis (especially in senior dogs)
• Abdominal pain, dental issues, or hidden injuries

3. Heart or Lung Disease

• Difficulty breathing when lying down
• May be accompanied by coughing or exercise intolerance

4. Cognitive Dysfunction (Doggy Dementia)

• Seen in older dogs with disrupted sleep-wake cycles
• Pacing, panting, whining, or seeming “lost” at night

5. Hormonal Conditions

• Cushing’s disease (common in middle-aged to senior dogs)
• Symptoms include panting, hunger, thirst, and a pot-belly appearance

🛠️ What You Can Try at Home

• Cool down the sleeping area (fan, AC, raised cooling bed)
• Provide a consistent nighttime routine
• Use calming aids (Adaptil diffuser, thunder shirt, calming music)
• Gently check for signs of pain when handling legs, belly, mouth

💊 When to See a Vet

• Panting is frequent, worsening, or paired with other symptoms (vomiting, weight loss, weakness)
• Your dog has never panted at night before
• You're unsure whether it's anxiety or a medical issue

🧪 What a Vet Might Check

• Full physical exam with focus on joints, heart, and lungs
• Bloodwork (check for pain markers, cortisol levels, organ function)
• X-rays for arthritis, heart, or lung problems

🔗 Helpful Tools from Ask A Vet

• Explorer Harness – Helps manage older dogs with arthritis during bedtime walks
• Ask A Vet – Track night-time panting patterns, upload videos, and get expert advice

📋 Summary Excerpt

Dogs who pant at night may be anxious, hot, or in pain. A vet explains how to tell the difference and what you can do to help them sleep better and breathe easier.

❓ FAQs

• Q: Why is my dog panting at night but not during the day?
  A: Could be due to anxiety, pain when lying down, or disrupted sleep. If it’s new, get it checked.
• Q: Should I give my dog water when they pant at night?
  A: Yes, ensure access to cool water. But excessive thirst may also be a symptom to monitor.
• Q: Can I give my dog calming treats or melatonin?
  A: Some calming supplements can help, but always ask your vet first for safe dosing and brand recommendations.