Why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping? A lot of people ask this question so here is the answer of that. Puppies are tinier and their lungs are smaller, so they breathe quicker than adult dogs. Dr. Simon explains that puppies usually take about 20-45 breaths every minute when resting, while adults take around 12-30 breaths. As puppies get older, their lungs get bigger, letting them take in more air with each breath. This means their breathing slows down over time. For example, when a puppy is 16 weeks old, it breathes slower than when it was just 8 weeks old!
When you bring a new puppy home, it’s a happy time for everyone. You get to enjoy cuddles and playtime, and the kids have a new friend to play with. But sometimes, as a pet parent, you might get worried, especially if you notice your puppy breathing fast while they’re asleep.
It can be scary to hear your puppy breathing quickly while they’re resting, but it’s not always a sign of trouble. There are normal reasons why your puppy might breathe fast while sleeping, like if they were playing a lot before bedtime, if it’s warm where they’re sleeping, or even if they’re having dreams. However, if your puppy is breathing fast for other reasons, it’s important to talk to your vet.
Let’s explore why your puppy might be breathing fast while sleeping so you can understand what’s happening with your new furry family member.
What Is A Puppy’s Normal Respiratory Rate?
When puppies are resting, they typically breathe between 15 to 40 times in a minute. Smaller breeds usually breathe quicker than larger ones. Puppies breathe faster than adult dogs, who usually breathe between 10 to 30 times per minute.
To check if your puppy’s breathing is too fast, it’s important to understand what normal breathing is for them. When your puppy is healthy, take note of how many breaths they take in a minute when they’re resting or sleeping. This can help you spot any unusual changes.
10 Common Reasons For Fast Breathing In Puppies
Before we talk about why puppies breathe quickly or have trouble breathing, let’s first understand these main reasons that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping.
1. Puppies breathe fast from exercise
In school, we learn that when we breathe in, we take in oxygen, which goes into our blood and helps our cells stay alive. When we breathe out, we release carbon dioxide. Dogs breathe in a similar way.
When dogs are active, their cells need more oxygen for energy. So, they breathe faster to get rid of carbon dioxide and take in more oxygen. The harder their cells work, the more oxygen they need. Panting is a normal response to physical activity for dogs. However, this can be the reason that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping.
2. Nausea, pain, or injuries makes puppies pant excessively
Puppies often breathe quickly when they feel sick or when their stomachs are too full and they might throw up. Sometimes, before they vomit, they might drool a lot and act like they’re trying to throw up. This is why many puppies pant in cars – they can get motion sickness, just like kids.
If a puppy is in pain, they might breathe fast too. Usually, they’ll make a lot of noise when they’re hurt, like whimpering or crying, but sometimes it’s not obvious. Things like bruises inside their body or injuries to their lungs can make it hard for them to breathe.
If a puppy is bleeding inside their body, they might breathe really fast too. This happens because if they’re losing blood, they won’t have enough to carry oxygen to their cells. So, their breathing speeds up to try to get more oxygen to their cells.
3. Breathing to thermoregulate (cooldown)
Puppies have a hard time cooling down naturally. Actually, dogs in general aren’t very good at cooling off, so it’s important to know when it’s too hot for them.
Dogs can only sweat through their paws, not all over their bodies like people can.
When they pant, they send hot blood and moisture to their mouth and nose. This helps them release heat from their body, and they cool down by breathing in cooler air from outside. It’s super important to watch out for hot weather because dogs can get heat stroke, which can be deadly.
Also, if a dog gets too cold, they might breathe fast at first, but then their breathing slows down as they go into shock.
Puppies that have the hardest time with heat include:
- Dogs with big, heavy upper lips like mastiffs, because it’s hard for them to get enough air past their lips.
- Dogs with short noses, like pugs. Their short noses make it tough for them to cool down.
- Dogs with thick fur coats, like Malamutes.
- Dogs with dark or black fur that holds onto heat.
Newborn puppies can’t control their body temperature well in the first few weeks of life, so they’re at risk of getting too hot or too cold. So, we can say that it can be the reason that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping.
4. Breathing because of stress hormones
Another reason why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping is because of cortisone, also known as their stress hormone.
When a puppy sees or experiences something exciting, stressful, or scary, their brain releases cortisol into their body.
This makes their heart beat faster and their breathing speed up. It’s a simple way for their body to make sure they get enough oxygen in case they need to run away quickly. But sometimes, there’s too much cortisol in their body even when there’s no real danger. This can happen if a dog feels anxious or has a panic attack.
This is one reason why Chihuahuas shake a lot. Sometimes, these stress hormones are caused by physical pain that we can’t always see, like when a dog has period cramps.
5. Asthma & Allergic Reactions in puppies that affect breathing
Just like kids, puppies can have asthma or allergic reactions that make it hard for them to breathe. If a puppy has an allergy affecting their airways, they might gasp or take quick, short breaths.
When the airways start to swell because of an allergic reaction, they can start to close up. Also, the lungs might get filled with fluid and become swollen, which stops oxygen from getting into the blood vessels.
Watch out for these signs:
- Coughing
- Keeping their mouth wide open
- Gasping for air
- Making wheezing sounds
- Gums turning blue or white
- Suddenly feeling weak
If you see these signs, take your puppy to the vet right away because they could be going into shock. If you think your puppy is having an asthma attack, there’s a quick video that shows how to help them.
6. Congenital obstructive breathing issues in puppies
Another reason why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping is because of breathing problems in puppies, it is often happen because of issues with their airways, which can cause loud, noisy breathing. These problems can also lead to reverse sneezing, sleep apnea, and different kinds of breathing troubles.
Some of the most common problems affect certain breeds like Pugs, Cavalier King Charles, Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, and other dogs with short noses. One common issue is called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Puppies with this condition are born with various problems in their airways that cause breathing difficulties for their whole life.
Some defects, like laryngeal paralysis, usually affect older, larger dogs such as Great Danes. But puppies born with collapsing tracheas might have breathing problems early in life. Collapsing tracheas happen when the cartilage in the throat is weak and collapses. It’s more common in small breeds like Teacup Min Pins, but it can happen in any dog.
7. Infections & viruses that cause fast breathing in puppies
When it comes to puppies, we need to watch out for viruses that can make them sick and affect their breathing. Some infections and contagious diseases that can cause puppies to breathe quickly or heavily include:
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Heartworm
- Canine Distemper
- Influenza
- Canine Coronavirus
- Bronchitis
- Bronchopneumonia
- Lungworm
When puppies have these illnesses, you might notice them breathing really fast and shallow. They might also show other signs like feeling weak, having a fever, and not wanting to eat. These are serious illnesses that usually need treatment from a vet.
8. Heart disease and breathing issues in puppies
In older dogs, heart disease can cause coughing, fast and shallow breathing, gums turning blue, and other serious symptoms. Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is one of the deadliest heart conditions. The heart’s job is to pump blood to the lungs. If it can’t do this well, the dog has to breathe faster to get enough oxygen. Luckily, puppies are unlikely to have CHF.
However, they can have other heart problems such as:
- Patent ductus arteriosis
- Pulmonic stenosis
- Aortic stenosis
- Ventricular defects, and more.
A vet can usually detect a heart murmur with these issues. Most of these problems are present from birth, and some may need surgery to fix. Any disease that affects the heart’s function can also affect the airways because the lungs and the heart work closely together. So, if you notice your puppy coughing a lot, wheezing, or having trouble breathing, it’s important to have their heart checked by a vet. However, this can be the reason that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping.
9. Organ and abdominal swelling
Another reason that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping, is because there’s swelling or pressure in their belly. When an organ gets sick and swells up, it can push on the lungs, making it hard for the puppy to breathe well. Sometimes, organs from the belly can move up into the chest and press on the lungs, causing problems.
Also, the belly can swell up because of blockages, like something stuck in the intestines, fluid building up, or the intestines twisting. These are serious conditions that can be life-threatening, so it’s important to take swelling in the belly seriously.
10. Puppies who breathe faster when sleeping
If you’re worried because your 9-week-old puppy is breathing fast while sleeping and you’re searching for answers, don’t panic. When puppies are in the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep, they naturally breathe faster. You might also notice them making sounds or twitching as they dream. This is completely normal.
However, short-nosed puppies like Bulldogs might have conditions like sleep apnea, which can disrupt their breathing during sleep. In these cases, their airways might relax too much and cause a blockage. Sometimes, surgery might be needed to fix this problem. So, this can be the reason that why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my puppy breathing fast while resting?
If a puppy is breathing faster while sleeping but doesn’t seem sick or in trouble breathing, it’s usually because they’re in REM sleep, where they dream. During this time, their breathing becomes shallow, fast, and irregular. Some breeds, like Bulldogs, can also have sleep apnea, which affects their breathing during sleep.
Why is my puppy breathing so fast with his tongue out?
When your puppy is breathing fast with his tongue out, it might be because he’s trying to cool down. Dogs don’t sweat like humans, so they pant to release heat. This is especially common in hot weather or after exercise when they need to cool off quickly. Sometimes, puppies get excited or anxious, which can also make them pant rapidly. However, if your puppy’s fast breathing persists or if he shows other signs of distress, like weakness or coughing, it’s important to consult a vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
How to calm a dog’s breathing?
To calm a dog’s breathing, start by creating a calm environment with soothing sounds and dim lighting. Gentle petting and soft, reassuring words can help relax your dog. Encourage slow, deep breaths by taking slow, deep breaths yourself and guiding your dog to do the same. If your dog is anxious or stressed, try using calming techniques such as massage or aromatherapy with lavender essential oil. Providing a comfortable resting area with plenty of fresh air can also promote relaxation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Why is my puppy breathing so fast while sleeping? simply the answer is, it’s normal for puppies to breathe fast while sleeping, especially during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. However, it’s essential to monitor their breathing patterns and overall health for any signs of distress. Understanding the reasons behind their rapid breathing can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. If you notice persistent or concerning symptoms, consulting a veterinarian is crucial for ensuring your puppy’s well-being and happiness.
Read our blog on the topic of 10 Reasons Why Are Dogs Better Than Cats?