How to Calm a Panting Dog: 3 Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

Pet owners know that panting is normal behavior for a dog. It is essentially like heavy breathing, which normal dogs will do if they’re winded from exercise. Dog panting also helps lower body temperature and stave off overheating and heatstroke. That’s why dogs pant so much on hot days. Abnormal panting, however, can indicate a problem. Consider some ways to address excessive panting and calm your dog down.

1. 1. Stay near the dog’s side. Dogs often pant due to anxiety, and having you close by can help keep them calm.
2. 2. Give the dog its own safe space. Sometimes the best way to treat anxious panting is to let the dog cool off in its own personal space. This can be a darkened room with a white noise machine running. It can also be the dog’s crate, which should contain blankets filled with familiar scents.
3. 3. Give the dog an anti-anxiety wrap. Applying these wraps is like swaddling a baby. They create the sensation of being safe and secure and may help an anxious dog.
4. 4. Offer your dog appeasing pheromones. Many dogs can be calmed by the smell of pheromones, particularly those released by female dogs when they are nursing their young. These pheromones are sold bottled in pet stores.
5. 5. Give your dog supplements. Consult with your veterinarian about supplements containing L-theanine, valerian, chamomile, and milk proteins. These can lower cortisol levels and overall stress.

Dogs experience normal panting on a daily basis, and this should not be cause for concern. Active dog breeds like Labrador retrievers notably pant as they run back and forth, and nearly all dog breeds pant as a way to cool down on hot days. Doctors of veterinary medicine have found other scenarios that may make dogs pant, and some of these are tied to pet health concerns:

1. 1. Fear of loud noises: Rumbling sounds and explosions, like those associated with thunderstorms and fireworks, can terrify a dog. Their instinct is often to run away, but if they are trapped in one place, they may begin panting with anxiety.
2. 2. Airway obstruction: Certain dog breeds have trouble breathing through their noses, and this can lead to panting. Dogs bred to have compact noses, like French bulldogs and pugs, particularly suffer from this issue.
3. 3. Separation anxiety: Dogs are naturally social creatures. When separated from you, even a healthy dog can experience an elevated heart rate and a surge of anxiety. These sometimes lead to heavy panting.
4. 4. Cushing’s disease: Cushing’s disease is a rare condition that mostly affects older dogs. It causes overproduction of cortisol, excessive appetite, increased urination, and lots of heavy panting. Consult a veterinarian for a diagnosis.
5. 5. Dilated cardiomyopathy: Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a health condition caused by the weakening of the heart muscle. One side effect of this condition is heavy panting. DCM can be managed with a proper diet, but if left untreated, it can lead to heart disease and even heart failure.
6. 6. Laryngeal paralysis: Laryngeal paralysis is a partial blocking of a dog’s airway. If you find yourself wondering, “Why is my dog panting so much?” and you have ruled out other causes, you may want to investigate this airway condition. In most cases, it can be treated with surgery.

Start your care for an anxious dog with proven techniques, like giving your pooch a safe, secure place (a crate or quiet room) or swaddling the dog in a specially-designed wrap. If none of the standard anti-anxiety methods are working, try escalating to the following strategies.

1. 1. Enlist a dog behaviorist. Behaviorists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of certain pet conditions, including anxiety. These professionals have the training to address some of the most persistent cases of canine anxiety.
2. 2. Visit the veterinarian. A veterinarian can monitor hormone levels in your dog to see if a chemical imbalance is leading to anxiety. They can also order X-rays to look for injuries or blockages that might be affecting your pet’s behavior.
3. 3. Take the long view on diet and exercise. While a diet and exercise regimen won’t help you address the panting, shaking dog that’s right in front of you, it can be an excellent long-term strategy for reducing overall anxiety. It can also lead to weight loss and a longer lifespan for your furry friend.

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