Wondering ‘Why is my dog panting at night?’ If you’ve noticed that it’s getting closer to bedtime and your dog has a persistent pant, it’s definitely something you can’t ignore. While nighttime panting is a pretty common behaviour, there are some instances where panting can be a sign that something is wrong.
Here at Green Pantry, we truly care about the health and happiness of all dogs. That’s why you can find 100% natural dry dog food and fresh dog food recipes, all made to target specific health functions and provide them with the dietary nutrients they need.
In this blog, we’ll dive into nighttime panting and tell you when you should feel concerned and home remedies you can try to make your dog feel much more comfortable.
Why is my dog panting at night?
Panting in dogs is actually a normal behaviour and an effective way for your dog to regulate their body temperature. However, while the odd pant throughout a hot day or after a walk is quite common, panting at night can be a whole different matter, especially if there is no obvious reason for your dog to feel distressed.
QUICK CHECK: If you notice your dog has any of the following symptoms alongside their excessive panting, it could be time to contact your vet:
- Pale, blue, or bright red gums
- Heavy drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Restlessness or retching
- Glazed eyes, confusion, or sudden weakness
What causes nighttime panting?
What makes owners most concerned might be the timing. If your dog is panting in the day, you can pin it down to the weather, their levels of activity, or whether you’ve had visitors around. However, your dog panting at night, especially when it’s a bit cooler, might make you feel a bit worried.
Here are some common causes of panting:
- Stress or anxiety – This can especially be triggered by loud thunderstorms or firework scares. Or, if you’ve been out for the night, your dog might feel some separation anxiety.
- Environmental issues – By this, we mean things like the weather or their sleep environment. As evenings get colder, having the central heating or fire on can be hugely beneficial to your dog’s sleep. Dogs who suffer from allergies might also have more broken sleep.
- Pain or discomfort – Unfortunately, panting might be a symptom of something more sinister, such as arthritis in dogs or an underlying injury.
- Doggy dementia – Dogs who are affected by dementia can often have disrupted sleep and might be panting out of restlessness.
- Cushing’s disease – Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, which is when excess cortisol is being produced, causing your dog to pant more, especially at night.
When is panting a cause for concern?
While the odd pant every now and then is completely normal canine behaviour, too much panting can leave owners feeling baffled. If your dog’s panting is excessive and is accompanied by pacing, scratching, or other uncommon behaviours, it could be time to seek professional advice.
If you’re particularly worried about symptoms of heatstroke, you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Your vet will be able to give them a thorough examination and determine what exactly is the cause of your dog’s panting.
How to keep your dog calm at nighttime
However, if your dog’s nighttime panting isn’t too much of a cause for concern, they might simply need a better evening routine. Similar to stopping your dog from barking at night, there are a few home remedies you can try to keep your dog cool and calm in the evening.
Here’s what we’d recommend:
- Keep your dog’s environment cool and comfortable. Always have a bowl of water for them, and hard wooden floors are great cool spaces (just make sure you supply a blanket in case they become uncomfy)
- Ensure they have a quiet space to retreat to – whether it’s a cosy corner or a comfy chair, away from everyday chaos!
- Maintain a calming bedtime routine. Try to take them out for a wee at the same time every night as an indicator that it’s nearly bedtime.
- See if natural dog supplements might help. You can shop our calming supplement below.
- Avoid overfeeding them before bedtime. A full tummy might leave them feeling sick or uncomfortable.
Keep cool, calm, and collected with natural recipes
Did you know that here at Green Pantry, we’ve created naturally calming dog food? We understand that seeing dogs in distress is not nice for pet owners, and our aim is to combat stress and anxiety through natural nutrition.
Our dogs’ guts and their nervous systems are more linked than you might think. That’s why our recipes might help to soothe nighttime anxiety and help your dog to enjoy a more peaceful, pant-free night’s sleep.
For a healthy, happy dog, it has to be Green Pantry
So, next time you notice your dog panting at night, try the tips and tricks we’ve suggested above. And, if no home remedies are working or your dog is still panting, make sure that your vet is the first point of call!
At Green Pantry, we’ve been making delicious and highly nutritious recipes for nearly 15 years. You can see exactly what’s in the pantry and feel reassured that everything going into your dog’s bowl is 100% natural and looks exactly as it would in your pantry before cooking.
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