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What to do if your dog is breathing fast? Is it an emergency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My Dog is breathing really fast and his a King Charles Cavalier. What should we do?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura E. McRae

Veterinary Technician

Published on February 23rd, 2015

I recommend that you have your dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

A dog at rest takes about 10 to 30 breaths per minutes. Breathing at a faster rate may indicate fever, pain, anxiety, or a problem with the lungs or chest. Rapid, labored breathing is indicative of congestive heart failure and/or lung disease, shock, heat stroke, dehydration, and ketoacidosis associated with diabetes, kidney failure, and some tyes of poisonings.

28Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on March 20th, 2019
Dogs can breathe quickly for a number of different reasons, including normal changes in their stress or anxiety level, or more concerning problems, such as heart failure, pain, lung disease or others. While at rest, dogs should take between 15-25 breaths per minute. If Chubbie is breathing much faster than this or is having difficulty breathing (gasping, difficulty laying down comfortably, breathing with the neck extended), I recommend taking her to an emergency veterinarian immediately for evaluation. If her respiratory rate is normal, she is not exerting extra effort to breathe, and you are still worried by the morning, it would still be worth taking her to the vet for an exam to be sure that she's okay. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Chubbie!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 27th, 2019
Hello,

I'd recommend taking Marley to his veterinarian to be seen. Breathing faster than normal could indicate disease or an anatomical abnormality of the respiratory or cardiac systems. Your vet can guide you best after a physical exam.
I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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