Whether you’re our at the park throwing the ball around, taking a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood or just relaxing at home, you’ve probably noticed your dog panting at some point. Dogs pant and they pant for a variety of reasons. Most of the time it shouldn’t be cause for any concern, but sometimes you might want to take the panting a little more seriously. Why do dogs pant, you ask? We’ll explain it here.
#1 – Thermoregulation
Dogs don’t sweat like people do, so regulating their body temperature takes some extra work. Dogs do sweat through the pads of their feet, but panting is actually their most efficient way to cool down. Panting moves hot, moisture-filled air in and out of the body, essentially cooling it from the inside out.
#2 – Emotional Stress
Dogs will also pant because of emotional stress. You might find that your dog is in a situation they are uncomfortable with, such as your veterinarian’s office. While it might be quite cold in the exam room, it’s not uncommon to see your dog panting. This is because the panting helps calm your dog down. Stress will often cause your body temperature and if this is the same for dogs, it makes sense that they pant to cool off while stressed as well.
#3 – Physical Pain
Another reason your dog might pant when it’s not hot out is because of physical pain. Heart conditions, fevers, infections, respiratory problems and even adrenal gland issues can cause your dog to pant excessively. An injury will also cause panting. In fact, so many illnesses and injuries can cause a dog to pant, you’ll want to keep an eye on the behavior to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause.
Panting is a normal and beneficial behavior for dogs, but excessively panting is usually the sign of something more serious happening. Heatstroke, emotional stress and physical discomfort are all reasons dogs pant. Usually there is no cause for alarm, but do understand the reasons for panting and keep a close eye on your pup to make sure there aren’t any issues going unnoticed.
