Why is Your Dog Breathing Rapidly and Agitated?
Dogs panting and being restless, especially during nights, can be a cause for concern for pet owners. This condition can be attributed to several factors, ranging from anxiety and stress to medical conditions.
- Anxiety and Stress
Dogs often exhibit panting and restlessness due to anxiety, which can be triggered by various factors such as separation from their owners, loud noises, or past traumatic experiences. Symptomatically, this can manifest as panting, whining, yawning, and restlessness.
- Pain or Discomfort
Pain or discomfort can also lead to panting and restlessness. This could be due to an injury, arthritis, or other underlying health issues.
- Overheating
Although less common indoors at night, overheating can still occur, especially if the environment is hot or if the dog is in a confined space without adequate ventilation.
- Medical Conditions
Certain health conditions such as heart disease (e.g., dilated cardiomyopathy) or Cushing’s disease can cause excessive panting and restlessness.
- Nighttime Anxiety or Fears
Some dogs may experience anxiety or fear at night due to darkness, noises, or separation from their owners, leading to panting and restlessness.
To address these issues, it's important to identify the underlying cause and seek professional help if necessary. Ensuring a comfortable environment, providing reassurance, or consulting with a veterinarian or behavior specialist can be beneficial.
- Canine Cognitive Disorder
Symptoms of Canine Cognitive Disorder include disturbances in sleep/wake cycles and up-and-pacing around the house at night. Calming soft chew treats or hemp oil could help ease the symptoms of this disorder and give a dog a good night's rest.
- Anxiety-Reducing Measures
Treatments for a panting and restless dog may include anxiety-reducing wraps, behavior modification exercises, calming supplements, prescription medications, and hemp oil. Hemp oil contains cannabidiol (CBD), which has reported calming properties and is safe for dogs when purchased from a reputable source with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
- Older Dogs
In older dogs, cognitive issues like Canine Cognitive Disorder or "doggie dementia" can lead to panting and restlessness due to anxiety and confusion. A study found that dogs over 16 years old experienced the highest rates of Canine Cognitive Disorder, but symptoms can start in dogs as young as 10 years old.
- Other Factors
General fearfulness, noise sensitivity, and separation anxiety are common reasons for dogs to exhibit anxious behaviors. Overweight dogs are more prone to rapid breathing. Certain medications, including steroids, opioids, and thyroid medications, can cause increased panting in dogs.
It's crucial to remember that chronic anxiety can be detrimental to a dog's health and can even shorten their lifespan, so seeking treatment is important. If a dog is panting and restless, scheduling an appointment with a vet can help determine the cause and provide treatment options. Monitoring a dog's behavior to determine whether it is related to temperature or only happens during certain situations (like thunderstorms) may help explain why a dog won't stop panting.
Mental HealthDuring nights, some dogs may exhibit signs of anxiety and restlessness due to mental health issues, such as separation anxiety from their owners or fear of darkness and noises. These behaviors can manifest as continuous panting, whining, and pacing.
Science and Health-and-WellnessUnderstanding the root cause of a dog's nighttime anxiety is crucial for implementing effective treatment plans. Science and evidence-based practices, such as the use of anxiety-reducing measures like calming supplements or hemp oil, are worth exploring to promote a dog's health and well-being.
