TL;DR
Panting is normal — it’s how dogs cool themselves, since they can’t sweat. But it can also signal pain, an underlying medical issue, or anxiety. Because the cause isn’t always obvious, the safest move is a veterinary exam to rule out pain first, followed by any needed diagnostics. And in summer heat — especially for flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds — panting can turn dangerous fast, so limit outdoor time and keep water, shade, and cool spaces available.
During an early July heatwave, temperatures climbed past 100 degrees in parts of Bucks County, putting air conditioners into overdrive, sending families to swimming pools, and leaving everyone in search of a little relief.
And our dogs? Well — they dealt with it the best they could, given the fact that they can’t just take off their coats whenever they please. When those summer temperatures soar, panting is something pet parents expect to see.
Sometimes, though, a panting dog doesn’t necessarily signify “hot under the collar.” Sometimes, the answer is more than skin deep. And it’s important to know the difference.
A Dog’s Way of Talking
Panting is one of the ways dogs communicate that something has changed — and the “something” can land almost anywhere.
“Panting can be pain. It can be stress. It can be thermal regulation,” says Dr. Erik Blumberg, DVM, CVA, with Doylestown Veterinary Hospital and Holistic Pet Care.
Most of the time, of course, it’s that last one.
“Dogs don’t sweat, so they pant,” Dr. Blumberg says. Without the sweat glands people rely on, panting is how a dog releases the excess heat that builds up from metabolism, exertion, or a hot day.
The tricky part is telling ordinary cooling apart from something that needs attention. Often there’s no single obvious trigger — just a pattern. Dr. Blumberg suggests watching for consistency: the same time of day, the same situation, the same change from your dog’s normal behavior.
Once owners notice a change or pattern, the next question is usually what it means — and increasingly, they’re turning to AI for answers.
“If something seems wrong with your pet, AI can be a useful place to gather information or help you think through questions — but it shouldn’t be the end of the conversation,” he says. “There are things we can learn from examining an animal that no AI tool can assess. If your pet is sick, changing, or you’re concerned, that’s when you need your veterinarian.”
We’re seeing more and more clients using AI to research their pets’ health, and that’s only going to increase. The goal isn’t to tell people not to use it. It’s to help them understand what it can and can’t do. AI can provide information and help owners ask better questions, but it can’t put its hands on your pet, perform an exam, or see the subtle things that may completely change a diagnosis. It should be a tool that supports veterinary care, not a substitute for it.
Rule Out Pain First
Before anything else, Dr. Blumberg wants to know whether a panting dog is hurting.
“You want to come see your vet, so you get an exam and make sure the panting is not being caused by pain,” he says. “You want to rule out pain before anything else.”
An exam also puts the change in context. Many pet owners may be bewildered when their dog, who had never panted during hotter days, is now huffing and puffing.
Dr. Blumberg notes that the possibilities are myriad. Maybe the dog has put on 20 pounds. Maybe it’s simply older and less conditioned than it was a few years ago. Or maybe it’s something that needs a closer look: an orthopedic issue, a cardiovascular concern, or something amiss in the abdomen.
A cough alongside the panting points toward the heart or lungs, he notes, while a murmur can mean the heart is working harder. Tenderness when the belly is palpated may signal something more serious.
If the exam doesn’t produce a clear answer, the next step is bloodwork.
“Look at organ function, cell count, thyroid, check their urine,” Dr. Blumberg says. Labs provide a way to catch problems — from thyroid imbalances to a hidden GI issue — that a physical exam alone might miss.
When It’s Anxiety
Once pain and medical causes are off the table, there’s the mental side to consider.
“Panting can be a way to handle anxiety and stress,” Dr. Blumberg says — often in dogs coping with separation or generalized anxiety. “A lot of times, they’re panting, but they’re also shivering.”
Sometimes the trigger is easy to spot.
“I’ve had dogs that would be panting and shaking in the corner every time we turned on the stove,” he recalls. A smoke detector, an unfamiliar noise, an everyday appliance — any of them can set off a fear response.
And sometimes it doesn’t add up on paper. “Why? Logically, does it make sense? Not always,” Dr. Blumberg says. Sometimes it’s simply an unfamiliar sound with fear attached to it.
When the trigger isn’t obvious, he again points to consistency as the clue — noticing when and where the panting tends to happen.
For anxiety-driven panting, Dr. Blumberg’s first recommendation is to make an appointment with a board-certified behaviorist. If that isn’t an option, he says, a veterinarian can discuss general anxiety medication and help sort out whether the issue is situational or something the dog faces daily.
When It Really Is the Heat
“If it’s NONE of those things,” Dr. Blumberg says, “maybe it’s just too hot out.”
And during summers like these, the heat deserves real respect — because a dog experiences it very differently than we do. Between their fur and their inability to sweat, the temperature they feel can be far higher than the number on the thermometer.
“You’ve got to imagine that temperature — bump it up by 10, 20, or 30 degrees… that’s probably what your dog is feeling,” he says. “They can get very sick very quickly.”
That’s why he sets firm limits when the heat index climbs. “With the heat index, recently — we’re talking 90+ days — your dog really should only be out 10 to 15 minutes, if that,” Dr. Blumberg says.
For flat-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds, the window is even smaller.
“If you have a brachycephalic dog, they should only be out less than five minutes, if that. A minute or two — just to do their business,” he says. Their anatomy simply doesn’t allow them to move air the way other dogs can.
When temperatures spike, a few simple provisions go a long way:
- Ensure the constant availability of water
- Provide pets with cool, ventilated spaces to relax
- Offer shaded places outdoors where pets can lie down, away from the sun
When in Doubt, See the Pros
At its heart, panting is a form of communication — your dog’s way of telling you something is not quite right. Sometimes the cause is as plain as a hot afternoon. Other times it takes an exam, imaging, or bloodwork to find the answer.
Either way, Dr. Blumberg’s guidance is the same: don’t wait to find out.
“If you really don’t know, you should still come in, regardless,” he says. Because dogs live and age faster than we do, problems tend to escalate on a compressed timeline. “Things change rapidly in a dog.”
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FAQs
Is it normal for my dog to pant?
Yes. Panting is how dogs regulate their temperature, since they can’t sweat the way we do. It’s normal after exercise, excitement, or on a warm day. What’s worth noting is panting that’s new, excessive, or doesn’t match the situation.
When should I worry about my dog’s panting?
If the panting is unexplained, persistent, or paired with other changes — coughing, low energy, shivering, or discomfort — it’s worth a veterinary visit. The first goal is always to rule out pain.
Can anxiety cause my dog to pant?
Yes. Stress and anxiety can trigger panting, often along with shivering. The trigger might be an obvious one, like a smoke detector or an unfamiliar noise, or something harder to pin down. A board-certified behaviorist or your veterinarian can help.
How long can my dog be outside in hot weather?
When the heat index climbs into the 90s, most dogs should be limited to about 10 to 15 minutes outdoors. Flat-faced breeds should be out for only a few minutes — just long enough to do their business.
Which dogs are most at risk in the heat?
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like pugs and French bulldogs are especially vulnerable, since their anatomy makes breathing harder. Overweight, older, and thick-coated dogs are also at greater risk.
