Dogs, like humans, go through different sleep cycles and typically sleep 12 to 14 hours a day in shorter naps and longer rest periods.
During sleep, they may twitch, paddle their paws, or make soft noises — all normal behaviors as they move through light sleep and REM (dreaming) stages.
One thing that often worries dog owners is noticing their pet breathing rapidly while asleep. Rapid breathing during sleep can be completely normal, especially during dreaming, but it may also signal overheating, respiratory irritation, or underlying heart or lung issues.
Paying attention to how often it happens, whether breathing sounds strained, and how your dog breathes while awake can help you decide if veterinary care is needed.
Fast breathing while sleeping is fairly common in dogs, but understanding the difference between normal sleep patterns and potential warning signs is important.
In this article, we’ll explore why your dog may breathe quickly during sleep and when it’s time to be concerned.
Typical Reasons for Fast Breathing During Sleep
1) Dreaming
Just like humans, dogs experience REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This is the stage where dreams occur.
During REM sleep, which usually happens about 20 minutes into a dog’s sleep cycle, you might notice your pet’s eyes moving under their eyelids, and their breathing may become faster or irregular.
This is because their brain is very active during dreams, and their body responds to the dream scenarios they’re experiencing.
When dogs dream, they might relive exciting moments from their day or imagine chasing squirrels.
These dream activities can cause their breathing to speed up, just as it would if they were running or playing. It’s their body’s natural response to the mental stimulation of dreaming.
2) Temperature Regulation
Dogs don’t sweat like humans do. Instead, they regulate their body temperature mainly through panting.
Even during sleep, if a dog feels too warm, they might start breathing faster to cool down. This is especially common in warmer weather or if your dog sleeps in a hot room.
Several environmental factors can influence your dog’s breathing rate while sleeping:
- Room temperature: If it’s too warm, your dog may breathe faster to cool off.
- Blankets or bedding: Thick or heavy bedding can make your dog feel too hot.
- Recent exercise: If your dog had a lot of activity before sleeping, they might still be cooling down.
- Breed type: Some breeds, especially those with flat faces like Bulldogs or Pugs, tend to breathe faster naturally.
Understanding these usual reasons for fast breathing can help you determine whether your dog’s rapid breathing during sleep is just a natural occurrence or if it might be a sign of something more serious.
In many cases, rapid breathing during sleep is completely harmless and tied to normal REM dreaming or temperature regulation.
However, if fast breathing is frequent, unusually loud, or continues while your dog is awake, it may signal overheating, respiratory irritation, or an underlying heart or lung condition.
Monitoring patterns, including how your dog breathes during the day, can help determine whether veterinary evaluation is necessary.
Medical Reasons for Fast Breathing During Sleep
a) Respiratory Issues
Sometimes, a dog’s fast breathing during sleep can indicate respiratory problems. Allergies are one common cause.
Like people, dogs can be allergic to things in their environment, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods. These allergies can make it harder for them to breathe, even while sleeping.
Infections in the lungs or airways can also lead to rapid breathing. These might include conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis.
If your dog is breathing fast and also coughing or showing other signs of illness, it could be due to an infection.
b) Heart Problems
Heart issues can cause dogs to breathe faster, even when resting or sleeping. Congestive heart failure is a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood effectively. This can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing harder for the dog.
Other heart problems can also affect a dog’s breathing. These might include issues with heart valves or an irregular heartbeat.
If your dog is breathing fast while sleeping and seems tired or weak during the day, it could be a sign of a heart condition.
c) Pain or Discomfort
When dogs are in pain, they might breathe faster, even while sleeping. This can happen if they have an injury, like a sprain or a cut. The pain can make them uncomfortable and affect their breathing.
Older dogs often suffer from arthritis or joint pain. This ongoing discomfort can cause them to breathe faster while they sleep. Arthritis might cause your older dog’s rapid breathing and difficulties moving around during the day.
It’s important to remember that while these medical reasons are possible, they’re not always the cause of fast breathing during sleep.
However, if you’re concerned about your dog’s breathing, it’s always best to check with a vet to rule out serious health issues.
When to Be Concerned
Fast breathing during sleep isn’t always a reason to worry, but sometimes, it might signal a more serious problem. Knowing what signs to look out for can help you decide if your dog needs to see a vet.
Signs that fast breathing might be serious
i. Unusual Noises While Breathing
It could be a sign of trouble if you notice your dog making strange noises while breathing. These noises might sound like wheezing, whistling, or snoring (if your dog doesn’t usually snore). These sounds can mean your dog has difficulty getting air into its lungs.
ii. Changes in Behavior or Energy Levels
Changes in your dog’s behavior or energy levels can also be a red flag. If your normally active dog suddenly seems tired all the time, or if it doesn’t want to play or go for walks like it used to, it might be because it’s having trouble breathing. This could be related to the fast breathing you’ve noticed during sleep.
Other symptoms to watch for
1) Coughing or Gagging
Coughing or gagging, especially if it happens often, can indicate respiratory or heart problems. If your dog is coughing or sounds like it’s trying to clear its throat frequently, it’s worth getting checked out by a vet.
2) Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is another critical symptom to pay attention to. If your dog isn’t eating as much as usual or has stopped eating, it could be a sign that something is wrong. This is especially concerning if it happens along with fast breathing during sleep.
Remember, you know your dog best. Suppose something is wrong, or you’re worried about your dog’s breathing.
In that case, it’s always better to be safe and consult a veterinarian. They can help determine if there’s a problem and what to do about it.
What to Do If You’re Worried
If you’re concerned about your dog’s breathing, there are steps you can take to monitor the situation. Start by learning how to count your dog’s breaths per minute.
This is easy to do: watch your dog’s chest rise and fall while resting or sleeping. Count each breath (one rise and fall) for 30 seconds, then multiply that number by two to get the breaths per minute.
Most dogs have a regular breathing rate of 10 to 30 breaths per minute when resting. Puppies and small dogs can breathe faster.
Knowing what’s normal for your dog can help you spot when something’s off. Notice if your dog’s breathing rate is consistently higher than usual, especially when resting or sleeping.
It might be time to talk to a vet. This is particularly important if the fast breathing has been going on for over a day or two.
It’s also crucial to pay attention to any other symptoms that might appear along with the fast breathing. If your dog is coughing, seems unusually tired, isn’t eating well, or shows any signs of discomfort, these could be signs of a more serious problem.
In these cases, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. They can examine your dog and run tests to determine what’s causing the rapid breathing and how to treat it.
Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry about your pet’s health. If you’re worried about your dog’s breathing or any other aspect of its health, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for advice.
Warning signs that need a vet
Seek veterinary care if the rapid breathing is frequent, lasts for several minutes, or continues when your dog is awake.
Other warning signs include noisy or labored breathing, blue or pale gums, fainting/collapse, persistent coughing, wheezing, obvious exercise intolerance, loss of appetite, or sudden lethargy.
If you notice any of these, record a short video of the breathing episode, note when it happens and what the dog was doing, and contact your vet (or an emergency clinic if the dog is struggling to breathe).
Severe signs, pale/blue gums, collapse, or obvious respiratory distress, merit immediate emergency attention.
Conclusion
Fast breathing during sleep can happen for several reasons, and it’s important to remember what we’ve discussed. Some dogs might breathe quickly when dreaming or if they’re hot.
Sometimes, it could be due to anxiety or excitement. In other cases, fast breathing might indicate a health issue like heart problems or respiratory infections.
Keeping an eye on your dog’s overall health is crucial. Pay attention to how they act when awake, their energy levels, their appetite, and any changes in their behavior. These observations can give you valuable clues about your dog’s well-being.
Remember that you know your dog best, so you’re in a good position to notice when something seems off.
If you’re ever unsure about your dog’s breathing or health in general, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your veterinarian is there to answer your questions and address your concerns.
It’s always better to check things out early rather than wait until a small problem becomes big. Your dog relies on you to keep them healthy, so trust your instincts and seek professional advice when you’re in doubt.
Taking good care of your furry friend includes being proactive about their health and well-being.