If your puppy seems to breathe rapidly as they sleep, you might feel a little concerned—but puppies may breathe very fast while sleeping for several reasons. As long as they have a regular breathing rate and you don’t notice any other unusual signs, they’re probably just fine.
In general, fast breathing during sleep may last anywhere from a few minutes to 10 minutes, says Dr. Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, a veterinarian with Senior Tail Waggers.
“If you’re concerned your pup’s breathing has been too rapid for too long, you can always wake them up to ensure their breathing settles,” she adds. “However, I wouldn’t make a habit of this, since they won’t appreciate it!”
Below, we’ll cover 10 explanations for your puppy’s fast breathing, including potential health concerns. We’ll also explain how to tell the difference between panting and fast breathing, and why this matters.
10 Reasons Why Puppies Might Breathe Fast While Sleeping
Puppies are smaller and have smaller lungs, so they naturally breathe much faster than adult dogs—both in general and while asleep,” Dr. Simon says. “A typical resting breathing rate for a pup is about 20-45 breaths a minute, while an adult breathes more like 12-30 times a minute.”
As puppies mature and grow, their lungs grow, too. This helps them take more oxygen with each breath, and their breathing rate will eventually begin to slow. Their breathing rate at 16 weeks old, for instance, will be slower than it was when they were only 8 weeks old!
Generally, underlying health problems rarely cause breathing issues during sleep, says Dr. Jennifer Sperry, DVM, veterinary advisor at Pets Plus Us. However, some dog breeds may have a higher risk of health problems that cause abnormal breathing.
“Brachycephalic dogs, like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, have a short nose and long soft palate that makes it difficult to breathe,” Dr. Sperry explains. “These dogs work harder to breathe—even when they’re sleeping—and are extremely susceptible to heat.”
If your pup has any unusual symptoms beyond fast breathing while sleeping, it’s always best to check in with your vet. They can help you find and address the cause.
1. They’re Dreaming During REM Sleep
Dogs experience REM sleep, just like people—and during REM sleep, your puppy may dream about any number of exciting, frightening, or stressful situations, says Dr. Sperry.
“Your dog’s sympathetic nervous system responds as if the situation is real, releasing epinephrine and norepinephrine into the blood,” she explains. “These chemical signals prepare your dog’s body for physical exertion—often called the ‘fight or flight response’—by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.”
Dr. Simon adds that puppies use lots of energy during REM sleep, meaning they breathe faster to take in more oxygen. She says both puppies and adult dogs often breathe rapidly as they go in and out of the dream stage of sleep. This happens multiple times during sleep, for a few minutes at a time.
You might also notice some of these motions from a sleeping puppy:
- Whimpering or barking
- Leg kicking or “fake running”
- Tense muscles
- Flickering eyelids
2. They Just Exercised a Lot
If you worked out right before a nap or bedtime, you’d likely breathe a little faster than usual when you got into bed, and the same goes for your pup.
If your puppy passed out in their bed after an intense playtime session, you may notice some rapid breathing for a few minutes. But this fast breathing shouldn’t last throughout their sleep, Dr. Sperry says. She adds that panting or fast breathing during sleep generally don’t relate to exercise earlier in the day.
If a puppy maintains a high respiratory rate throughout their sleep and also snores, snorts, chokes, or seems to require effort to breathe, Dr. Sperry recommends contacting a vet.
Tip: Use your phone to take a few short videos of your puppy’s breathing to illustrate the problem.
3. They’re Too Hot
Because dogs can’t cool themselves just by sweating, they rely on evaporation from their tongues, mouths, and respiratory passages to cool them down, Dr. Sperry explains.
Puppies aren’t as good at regulating their own temperature, Dr. Sperry adds, so it’s important to limit their time in hot (or cold) environments. In warm weather, you’ll want to take them on walks during the coolest part of the day, like early morning or evening.
If you notice your puppy panting or breathing fast at night, Dr. Sperry recommends:
- Removing blankets
- Turning down the heat (or turning up the AC)
- Using a fan to help them stay cool
Keeping their crate or bed out of direct sunlight and making sure the room maintains a moderate temperature. Placing bedding and blankets on one side of the crate so your pup has the option to move to a cooler area.
Puppies who are too hot may overheat. Signs of overheating include:
- Dehydration
- Excessive drooling
- High body temperature
- Vomiting
- Red gums
If you notice any of these signs, along with fast breathing, you’ll want to contact your vet right away.
4. They’re Anxious
Puppies are experiencing a vast new world for the first time. As they pass through the puppy stage, they experience many changes in their environments, health and emotional development, and lifestyle, says Dr. Sperry.
As a result, it’s natural for them to go through phases where they feel more tentative and fearful in the face of these new experiences. Dr. Sperry offers a few ways to help your puppy deal with fear and anxiety:
- Allow them to explore new people and situations at their own pace.
- Offer lots of reassurance and positive reinforcement.
- Set a reliable routine and stick to it.
- Provide a safe space, like a bed or crate, so they can retreat when overwhelmed.
Keep in mind that fast breathing and other anxiety-related symptoms shouldn’t extend into the sleep period, Dr. Sperry says.
She also recommends moving your pup’s bed to a quieter, more secure area if they show other signs of stress, like yawning, pacing, or shivering.
5. They’re Dehydrated
Puppies need plenty of water, at least 40-60ml per kilogram of body weight each day. If they become dehydrated, you may notice these signs:
- Excessive panting
- Dry nose, eyes, and gums
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Dry mucous membranes
- Sunken eyes
Give plenty of water or ice cubes to help them rehydrate. If your pup shows several signs of dehydration and won’t drink, contact your vet right away.
6. They’re Injured or in Pain
Puppies have a higher risk of injury as they grow to adulthood.
If your puppy has an injury, you may notice some of these signs of pain:
- Changes in posture and stiff movements
- Changes in behaviour, like unusual lethargy, hiding, or whining
- Shaking or trembling
- Squinting
- Enlarged pupils
If your puppy shows signs of pain for more than a day or two, it’s always a good idea to contact your vet so they can find and treat the cause of the pain.
7. They Have a Respiratory Infection
Puppies have a higher risk of developing lung and respiratory conditions since their systems aren’t fully developed. Respiratory infections like kennel cough or pneumonia can be serious for young puppies.
Along with fast breathing (whether your puppy is awake or asleep), you might notice:
- Nose discharge (e.g. mucus, pus, blood)
- Coughing (dry or wet)
- Shallow breathing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
Make sure to give your puppy plenty of water to keep them hydrated. You can also add humidity to the air for easier breathing. Your vet can help diagnose and treat respiratory conditions.
8. They Have a Heart Problem
Experts believe heart problems, like congenital heart disease, are passed down from mother to pup. That said, these issues are very rare in puppies.
Signs of heart problems in dogs can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Fainting
- Accumulation of fluid in the lungs or abdomen
A vet can recommend the right medical or surgical treatments to help improve your dog’s quality of life.
9. They Have a Low Red Blood Cell Count (Anaemia)
There are multiple causes of anaemia in dogs, including toxins, trauma, infections, and diseases. These different causes can play a role in how long anaemia lasts and how severe it is
In addition to fast breathing, signs of anaemia in puppies can include:
- Blood loss
- Low blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Pale, pink gums
If you notice any of these signs in your puppy, your vet can offer more guidance with diagnosing and treating anaemia, or any other health concerns. They may, for example, recommend a complete blood count, blood and urine tests, and X-rays before recommending treatment.
10. They Have a Diaphragmatic Hernia
The diaphragm is a muscle that helps pull air into your puppy’s lungs. Trauma or genetics can cause a hernia to develop in the diaphragm, and the hernia can affect your puppy’s breathing.
Symptoms of a diaphragmatic hernia can include:
- Coughing
- Lack of appetite
- Decreased activity
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Collapse
A vet can diagnose a hernia with a physical exam and X-rays. From there, they may recommend surgery or another treatment, based on your puppy’s symptoms and condition.
Is My Puppy Breathing Fast Or Panting?
You can tell the difference between fast breathing and panting by checking your puppy’s mouth. If it’s open, they’re panting. If it’s closed, they’re breathing fast.
It’s not common for puppies to pant in their sleep, Dr. Simon says, though they may pant when overheated or anxious.
You can help by making sure they sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room and paying attention to any sources of stress in their environment, like new people or frightening sounds.
If you notice your puppy panting in their sleep, you may not need to take any immediate action. But if the panting seems excessive, goes on for a long time, or happens with other signs of distress, you may want to contact your vet for more guidance, says Dr. Michael Thompson, DVM, founder and leading veterinarian of Pets Food Safety.
When observing a panting puppy, Dr. Thompson recommends taking note of the pattern and duration of the panting and any accompanying behaviours or signs of discomfort.
You can then share this information with your vet to give them more context.
Checking How Fast Your Puppy Is Breathing While Asleep
To get a baseline breathing rate for your puppy, you can measure it while they’re in a comfortable, deep sleep.
To measure your pup’s breathing rate:
- Watch their chest move in and out as they breathe. The inhale and exhale count as one full breath.
- Set a timer for one full minute.
- Count how many breaths they take in that minute. A normal breathing rate for a puppy can fall anywhere between 15 and 40 breaths per minute.
- Repeat this process when your puppy sleeps to get a better idea of their baseline breathing rate.
If your puppy seems to be breathing unusually fast, you can check their breathing rate by counting their breaths again to check exactly how fast they’re breathing.
When Is A Puppy’s Fast Breathing An Emergency?
In some cases, a puppy’s fast breathing can point to a serious health concern.
Dr. Thompson shares a few emergency symptoms to pay attention to, including:
- Labored breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Pale gums
- Signs of extreme distress
If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet right away.
To help soothe your puppy, Dr. Thompson recommends making sure they’re in a comfortable, quiet environment that’s not too hot or cold. He also recommends providing a familiar blanket or toy to offer a sense of security.
Your vet will examine your puppy to check their overall health, and they may perform tests to help identify any underlying health issues, Dr. Thompson says. From there, they can recommend the right treatment for your pup.