Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my dog breathing heavily and fast, even when resting?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Brittany | Male | neutered | 2 years and 6 months old | 35.27 lbs

I'm slightly worried about my dog because he tends to breathe heavily and fast quiet often. After a walk it takes him about an hour to calm down and recently he's been breathing heavily a lot more frequently. He could be lying on the floor completely calm and then out of nowhere start breathing like he's been running for hours.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 5th, 2017

Hi there. Your description of Jackie is disturbing. Labored breathing is abnormal at rest in a normal setting. My recommendation is to take him in to the vet-the will perform a physical exam and more than likely recommend x rays to check his heart and lungs
for signs of disease. In a young dog such as yours, anxiety can also play a role. I hope this helps. My best to you and Jax.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on August 26th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think that if he just had his annual examination and everything was fine, this is more likely to be something more benign like due to anxiety or really in some cases dogs appear to be having difficulty breathing when it is just the way they breathe regularly. Unless this is continuous or he is showing other signs of respiratory distress such as coughing or lethargy, I would not be concerned. Good luck and have a great day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog breathes fast and heavy when resting, should I be worried?

52 breaths per minute is considered tachypneic and points to some breathing problem such as an upper respiratory or pulmonary congestion or a heart condition. The fact that this is even worse when she is resting is also pointing to a possible heart condition. I suggest you schedule an exam with your veterinarian for an exam.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog breathing fast and heavy, and what should I do?

I'm so sorry to hear that! Please get him in to see a vet. Your vet will probably recommend a chest X-ray to get a better idea of what is going on. In a 9 year old chihuahua some possible causes include heart failure, pneumonia, or cancer. If he seems labored in his breathing, do not delay, please take him to the vet right away.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Should I worry if my 4-month-old puppy breathes heavily at rest?

The increased respiratory rate could be from him dissipating heat but it could also be pathological. I cannot tell you for sure just based on your description. I suggest you take a video of him breathing heavy at rest and then take him in to your vet for an examination. Show the vet the video and see what they think. The vet will take that video combined with their examination findings and let you know if it seems like his breathing is normal or abnormal. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog breathing heavily and restless, but not tired?

Oh dear, poor Totie! Changes in breathing and restlessness are concerning signs, particularly in a relatively young puppy. These signs could indicate congenital heart disease, infectious diseases, pneumonia, among a variety of other conditions. At this point, I recommend urgently taking Totie to her vet for an exam. She may also need to have chest x-rays performed to try to get to the bottom of this issue so that the best course of treatment can be started. I hope that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my 6-month-old puppy breathing heavily while resting?

If this breathing heavy is only occurring when Tater is resting, it could be that he is dreaming and his breathing is changing in response to the dreams. Dogs dream and they can show behaviors such as barking, leg movement, and breathing changes in response to their dreams. Given that he is fine otherwise, I would monitor him for now, but certainly it's okay to have him seen by a vet just in case to make sure everything is ok health wish with him :-)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is my rescue puppy's fast, heavy breathing during sleep normal?

I would recommend that you have Rousey checked out by a vet. Breathing that quickly is not normal. While sleeping, she should breathe less than 20 times in a minute. Increased respiratory rate at night could indicate heart or lung disease, anemia, or pneumonia. If she has fractured ribs, she could benefit from pain medications. She should probably also be checked for intestinal parasites, which are easily picked up while hanging out on the streets.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share