Fast Breathing Dog in Sleep: Causes and Concerns

If you’ve noticed your dog breathing faster than usual while sleeping, it can be alarming. While it’s normal for dogs to breathe more quickly during sleep—especially during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep—there are instances when it could signal a health issue. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior can help you determine whether it’s a harmless quirk or something that requires medical attention.

What Causes Dogs to Breathe Shortly While Sleeping?

Shortness of breath while your dog sleeps can be caused by a variety of reasons, here are some common ones.

I. Physiological reasons

• Breed characteristics

Some breeds of dogs, such as Falcons, Pugs, and Pekingese, may sound short of breath while sleeping due to their flat faces, shorter nasal structure, and heavy breathing.

• Hot weather

In the summer or in a hot environment, dogs do not have sweat glands and dissipate heat mainly through the mouth and breathing. When sleeping, if the ambient temperature is high, the dog will speed up its breathing rate to dissipate heat.

• Dreaming

Dogs may experience shortness of breath when they dream while sleeping, especially if they dream of intense scenes or have nightmares. This is usually temporary and does not occur frequently.

• Obesity

Obese dogs have more body fat, which may compress the airways and cause shortness of breath while sleeping. Dietary adjustments and increased exercise are needed.

II. Pathological causes

• Respiratory diseases

Cold: Cold and flu will lead to an increase in nasal secretions, blocking the airways and causing shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as runny nose and cough.

Pneumonia: Pneumonia caused by bacterial or viral infections can lead to inflammation of the lungs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing and phlegm, which may be more pronounced during sleep.

Asthma: A chronic airway disease that flares up after exposure to allergens or irritants, resulting in shortness of breath and wheezing that requires nebulized inhalation medication.

Emphysema: Lung damage that causes shortness of breath, chest tightness and shortness of breath that worsens during sleep and requires bronchodilators or surgery.

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• Heart disease

Heart disease can lead to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, affecting respiratory function. Dogs may experience shortness of breath and shortness of breath while sleeping, requiring medical treatment.

• Other Diseases

Diseases such as hydrothorax, diabetes, and neurological abnormalities (head injuries or brain tumors) may also cause your dog to have shortness of breath while sleeping.

Related: Diabetes in Dogs​

• Foreign bodies in the respiratory tract

A foreign body entering the respiratory tract can cause shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by a violent cough and requires immediate attention.

III. Other Causes

• Strenuous exercise before bedtime

If your dog has a strenuous exercise before going to bed, it may lead to shortness of breath during sleep, which can be normalized after resting.

• Emotional factors

Dogs may experience shortness of breath when they are nervous, anxious, scared or excited and need to be calmed.

• Feeding problems

Overfeeding or improper feeding time before bedtime may cause shortness of breath when the dog is sleeping, it is recommended to adjust the feeding time and amount.

Can There Be Health Problems With Shortness of Breath While Dog Sleeps? 

Shortness of breath while your dog sleeps can be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are normal physiological phenomena, while others may indicate a health problem. Here are some ways to determine this.

I. Observe the breathing characteristics

• Breathing rate

Under normal circumstances, dogs breathe 10 - 30 times per minute. If the dog's respiratory rate is significantly higher than this range when sleeping, for example up to 40, 50 or even more breaths per minute, and continues for a period of time (e.g., more than 10 minutes), there may be a health problem.

• Depth of Breathing

Observe how much your dog's chest or abdomen rises and falls as he breathes. If the rise and fall is very dramatic, or if it seems like the breathing is shallow and labored, it may be a sign of a health problem. For example, when a dog has pneumonia, it may appear to be breathing shallowly and quickly.

• Breathing Rhythm

A normal breathing rhythm should be smooth and regular. If your dog is breathing rapidly and with an irregular rhythm, such as apnea and panting, there may be a health concern. Certain heart diseases may cause respiratory rhythm disorders in dogs.

II. Combining with other symptoms to judge

• Coughing

If the dog is short of breath accompanied by coughing, it may be a respiratory infection, tracheal collapse and other diseases. For example, when a dog has a cold, in addition to shortness of breath, there will be coughing, sneezing, runny nose and other symptoms.

• Abnormal body temperature

Measure your dog's body temperature, if it is elevated (normal temperature range is 38℃ - 39℃), it may be shortness of breath caused by infection or inflammation, such as pneumonia and Canine parvovirus infection.

• Mental state and appetite

Observe whether your dog's mental state is depressed and whether its appetite has decreased. If the dog has shortness of breath and is in poor spirits and does not want to eat, it may be a sign of ill health and requires further examination.

• Weight Changes

Sudden weight gain or loss may be associated with health problems. Obese dogs may experience shortness of breath due to fat pressing on the airways, while weight loss may be one of the symptoms of certain illnesses (e.g. diabetes, kidney failure, etc.) that may also affect breathing.

III. Consider the breed and age of the dog

• Breed characteristics

Certain breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs and other short-nosed breeds may have a relatively high respiratory rate due to their short nasal structure and heavy breathing. However, if this shortness of breath is more severe than usual, or if other abnormal symptoms are present, this also needs to be taken seriously.

• Age factor

Older dogs are more prone to health problems, such as heart disease and lung disease, which can lead to shortness of breath. If an older dog shows symptoms of shortness of breath, it is recommended to take it to the veterinarian in time for a thorough examination.

IV. Observe environmental factors

• Temperature effects

If the ambient temperature is too high, the dog may dissipate heat by speeding up its breathing. However, if the dog is still short of breath in a suitable temperature environment (e.g. indoor temperature of about 25℃), or the symptoms of shortness of breath do not improve after the temperature is lowered, there may be health problems.

• Sleeping position

Observe whether your dog's sleeping position is normal. If the dog's body is twisted or pressing on the chest interfering with breathing, you can gently adjust the dog's posture. However, if the shortness of breath persists after adjusting the posture, further examination may be necessary.
If the cause of your dog's shortness of breath still cannot be determined after the above observations and judgments, or if your dog's symptoms continue to worsen, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian for professional diagnosis and treatment.

How to Relieve Rapid Breathing in Dogs?

Shortness of breath in dogs can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as heart disease, respiratory disease, environmental factors, strenuous exercise or emotional stress. Here are some ways to relieve your dog's shortness of breath.

I. Environmental Adjustment

• Temperature Adjustment

If the environment temperature is too high, the dog may dissipate heat by speeding up breathing. At this time, the dog should be moved to a cool and ventilated place, such as moving the dog from outdoor in direct sunlight to indoor where there is an air conditioner or fan, or finding a shaded place outdoors for the dog to rest. At the same time, plenty of fresh water can be provided to help the dog replenish the water lost through sweating (through the pads of the feet and tongue).

• Good Ventilation

Make sure the environment your dog is in is well-ventilated and free of excessive dust, fumes or odors. If the air in the room is not well ventilated, open the windows or use an air purifier to improve the air quality.

II. Rest and Observation

• Rest after exercise

If the dog is short of breath after strenuous exercise, you should let the dog stop and rest. Generally speaking, the dog's breathing will gradually return to normal after resting for a few minutes to ten minutes. During the rest period, you can provide the dog with a small amount of water, but do not let the dog drink a large amount of water at one time, so as not to cause vomiting.

• Observe the symptoms

Carefully observe whether your dog's shortness of breath is accompanied by other symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, depression, loss of appetite and weight loss. If these symptoms are present, further examination or treatment may be required.

III. Emergency Measures

• Keep the respiratory tract clear

Check your dog's mouth and nasal passages for foreign bodies. If a foreign body is found, it can be carefully removed with tweezers or fingers (if the foreign body is easy to remove). However, if the foreign body is in a deep location or difficult to remove, do not force the operation to avoid hurting the dog and contact your veterinarian immediately.

• Wet towel to cool down

When your dog is short of breath, you can prepare a warm wet towel to put on your dog's nose. The temperature and humidity of the wet towel can help reduce your dog's breathing difficulties and relieve tension, as well as cooling down the body.

• Oxygen intake (for severe cases)

If your dog's shortness of breath is very severe, or even symptoms such as open-mouth breathing, purple lips or loss of consciousness, contact your veterinarian or go to the vet immediately. While waiting for rescue, try to let the dog lie on its side and keep quiet to reduce oxygen consumption.

IV. Medication (to be used under the guidance of a veterinarian)

• Heart disease related medication

If the dog is diagnosed with shortness of breath caused by heart disease, the veterinarian may prescribe medications to improve heart function, such as diuretics (to help reduce the burden on the heart) and vasodilators (to improve blood circulation). For example, tachycardia can be given at a dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight twice a day to ease breathing.

• Drugs for Respiratory Diseases

For shortness of breath caused by respiratory diseases (e.g., pneumonia, asthma, etc.), medications such as antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, etc.), bronchodilators (e.g., aminophylline, etc.), and glucocorticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone acetate, etc.) may be used. For example, when your dog has a cold, he may be given cold flushes, antiviral granules, etc., or amoxicillin orally at a dose of 10 - 20 mg per kg of body weight, two to three times a day for a week.

• Chinese herbal medicine

Some Chinese medicine products can also be used to regulate your dog's shortness of breath, but the specific use of these products should be based on your veterinarian's advice.

V. Daily care and prevention

• Regular Physical Examination

It is recommended to take your dog for a comprehensive physical examination at least once a year to detect and deal with potential health problems such as heart disease and respiratory disease.

• Weight control

Obesity will increase the burden on the heart and respiratory system. Dogs' diet should be reasonably controlled to avoid overfeeding and to maintain the ideal weight of the dog.

• Moderate exercise

According to the dog's age, breed and health condition, develop a suitable exercise program to avoid over-exercise causing physical burden. For example, exercise intensity and time should be reduced appropriately for older dogs or dogs with a history of heart disease.

• Avoid irritants

Avoid exposing your dog to substances that may cause allergies or respiratory irritation, such as pollen, dust mites, perfume, smoke, insecticides, etc.

• Vaccination and deworming

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Vaccination and deworming should be carried out on time to prevent respiratory diseases caused by infections.

When to Be Concerned and What to Do

1. Signs to Watch For
   • If the fast breathing is accompanied by other symptoms such as pale gums, blue - tinged tongue or lips, excessive coughing, difficulty waking the dog, or if the dog seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Additionally, if the fast breathing persists for an extended period or occurs frequently during sleep, it is advisable to seek veterinary attention.
2. Steps to Take
   • First, ensure that the dog's sleeping environment is comfortable, cool, and well - ventilated. If you suspect overheating, move the dog to a cooler place. If the fast breathing is a new occurrence and not accompanied by other concerning symptoms, you can monitor the dog for a short period. However, if in doubt, it is always best to consult a veterinarian. The vet may perform a physical examination, run diagnostic tests such as X - rays, blood tests, or electrocardiograms to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, while fast breathing in a sleeping dog can often be a normal part of its sleep cycle or due to simple environmental factors, it is important to be aware of the potential health - related reasons. By observing your dog closely and being vigilant for any accompanying symptoms, you can ensure that your furry friend receives the necessary care and attention in a timely manner.