Has your Chow Chow been panting a lot lately? Have you been pondering a lot about it?
It can be a subject to worry about why your Chow Chow pant so much, and panting a lot is a sign that your dog has some severe health issues.
This article will discuss numerous reasons why your Chow Chow pant is so much and what you can do about your Chow Chow panting lot.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Chow Chow Pant So Much?
Panting in dogs is quite common; they pant to cool themselves from the excessive heat in their body, especially when they are hot, excited, or energetic. Chows breathe heavily because of having thick skin at the back of their mouth; heavy breathing can be one reason your Chow Chow is suffering from respiratory distress.
This breed has more chances of having stress while physical activity, excitement, fear, environmental changes, and heat. Panting vigorously puts pressure on their hearts. There could be many reasons why your Chow Chow is panting excessively. Dogs can’t tell us when they’re in pain; It’s our job to find the cause.
Pain
Pain is one of the common reasons why Chow Chow pants, although it is a matter of being alert. There could be various reasons your Chow Chow is experiencing pain; for example, while playing or exercising, they suddenly start to limp, which specifies that they are in severe pain.
Your dog may also be suffering from arthritis or pain from some old injury. Some other signs of pain in your dog are if they pants excessively during the day: restlessness, low appetite, biting or licking at the pain side, huge pupils, or anxiety. It may be your Chow Chow is in pain, and without delay, go to the veterinary care immediately.
Heatstroke
Chow Chow is one of the breeds that gets overheated easily, and panting helps them to cool themselves, but if excessive panting happens, their saliva becomes thick and sticky, and their tongue changes into bright red.
They may also feel weak, have trouble walking, have vomiting, diarrhea, dry nose, lowered eyes, dry gums, and have lethargy. It happens because their body is overheated or dehydrated.
Overexertion
Your Chow Chow can become excited while a physical activity like playing, running, or fetching; these heavy exercises can make them pant or breathe heavily, more like a human being having shortness of breath after exercising.
Your dog may slow down their run or lie down; it should be noted that they need a break from the current activity. And you should be careful, or overexertion may also lead to inflammation, pain, and discomfort by tearing or overstretching the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Heart And Respiratory Problems
Chow Chow’s are more prone to Pulmonic stenosis – a heart deficiency that usually causes respiratory problems, heavy breathing, and other health problems like lung tumors, heart failure, coughing, and choking while panting.
Heavy breathing is common in them because they are Brachycephalic and have respiratory issues. If you notice that your dog is at risk because of panting, make sure you check their gums. Your dog isn’t getting enough oxygen if it is pale white or blue. You must discover the reason for their excessive panting and resolve the fundamental issue by visiting veterinary care.
Environmental Changes
Being shifted from their comfort zone to an entirely new place or an unrevealed environment, your Chow Chow may feel a little stressed about it. A new home may cause discomfort as they are entirely unaware of the surroundings and are afraid of it. Panting in such conditions is standard.
Anxiety & Fear
Dogs often pant to communicate; they can’t tell us by words but panting may be one reason for anxiety and fear. It could be they are sad about their surroundings or worried about what’s going around them.
Noise or other types of disturbance can be why your dog is afraid, like the noise of thunder or firecrackers can make them pant a lot because they are anxious. So look around and try to keep your Chow Chow in a safe place away from all the loud noises.
Excitement
Chow Chow pants to cool themselves. Panting while they are excited about something is also common, like giving them treats, taking them for a walk, going outdoors, going to the park, or car rides, and even before their meal, they pant because they are excited about it.
It can be challenging to identify whether your Chow Chow is excited or in distress; you could inspect their body language at different times throughout the day with various activities and find out why they are panting.
Illness
There could be never-ending possibilities of illnesses in your Chow Chow that cause them to pant. For example, Chow Chow is Brachycephalic and has respiratory problems like heavy breathing and other health problems like lung tumors, tracheal collapse, heart failure, coughing and choking while panting, and obesity.
Things That You Can Do About Your Chow Chow Panting A Lot?
If you notice sudden heavy breathing in your Chow Chow or panting excessively, snoring, snorting, choking, coughing, rasping, or changing the voice, you should immediately visit your vet.
Provide Them With A Comfortable Environment
If you suspect panting a lot in your dog after moving into a new home or place, The new and unknown environment can cause your Chow Chow’s panting. And in this case, you should try to take extra care of your Chow Chow by providing them with a calm and comfortable environment.
Also, one of the things that Chow Chow dogs cannot tolerate the heat at all. Their thick skin helps to protect them in winter but is a horrible disaster during summer. So never leave your Chow Chow outdoors during hot summer days.
If they are outside, always ensure they are in a shady and cool surroundings and have enough fresh water to drink whenever they want.
Good Nutrition
See to it that your Chow Chow is eating healthy food in the correct quantity; that will help you stop the excess panting of your dog.
And this will boost your dog’s immune system and give them the strength to fight against different diseases. Good nutrition will stop them from becoming obese, and your Chow will always stay fit and in shape.
Exercise
Exercising is a body activity that enhances and maintains physical fitness; it is performed for many reasons, to improve strength, develop muscles and the cardiovascular system, weight loss or maintenance, better health, etc.
And as humans exercises, dogs also need to exercise for at least an hour or two. You should daily take them for a walk and play with them.
Be More Friendly
Dogs are compassionate beings, they only need love and affection as an animal, and as a dog owner, you should always be friendly and loving to your dog. If your Chow pants excessively, you can talk to them with a soft, calm, and comforting voice.
Loud noises can make them panic, and they may pant a lot; for example, during a thunderstorm, they get anxious and starts panting a lot; you can keep them away from loud noises, turn off some lights, put on some soft music, and stay with them.
Talk To Your Vet
You may have noticed that there could be various reasons why your Chow Chow is panting a lot.
Observing and thinking of possible reasons why your Chow is panting so much will be very time-consuming. I suggest you visit your vet as soon as possible, and the vet will be able to tell you the correct solution to your dog’s problem. It will save your dog time, effort, and discomfort.
How To Know Your Chow Chow Panting Is Normal Or Excessive?
Chow Chow dogs pants when exhausted after physical activity, hot, afraid, nervous, or excited. Panting in dogs is very common in many situations, but sometimes panting excessively may be a serious matter to worry about. If you have checked with your vet and had no problem, then it’s okay.
Normal Panting
Dogs have sweat glands in their paws and ears, which doesn’t help them sweat it out to cool themselves, so they pant instead. The intake of breath through their respiratory tract evaporates the moisture.
Panting helps cool them down and maintain an average body temperature, which is considered an essential body function. Without it, dogs would easily get overheated and have no way to control it. Some examples of normal panting are after or during exercising when it is hot outside when they are excited about something.
Excessive Panting
Excessive or abnormal panting can be observed if you spend more time with your dog; it will be much easier to detect if it’s normal or extreme. Excessive panting sounds heavier and raspy than usual. As a Brachycephalic breed, Chow Chow has a short nasal passage that limits airflow and causes panting.
Obese and overweight dogs also face breathing problems due to having a fat neck that presses against their airways.
It is suggested to notice their average level of panting during regular exercises. Heavy panting is considered excessive or abnormal panting. Panting could be a warning sign that something is severe; they shouldn’t gasp while resting in an air-conditioned room.
Some examples of excessive panting are when the dog is resting or relaxing, it is not hot, the panting is more intense, the panting sounds raspy or heavier, and the dog is lazy. If you notice the following signs, immediate veterinary attention is required.
FAQ
Why Is My Chow Chow Breathing Heavily While Sleeping?
If you observe that your Chow Chow is breathing heavily while sleeping or resting, it could be that they are experiencing some respiratory distress because of insufficient oxygen. Some signs of it are bright red or pale blue gums or labored breathing. I suggest you immediately contact your vet.
Why Is My Chow Chow Breathing So Fast?
Some Chow Chow breathes heavily due to excess skin at the back of their mouth/throat. They stress easier during exercise, excitement, and heat. See your vet immediately if your Chow’s panting appears labored.
Why Does My Dog Pant So Much For No Reason?
Most dogs pants when they are excited, stressed, or exhausted after some physical activity. Worrying or having some fear or anxiety about it can also be one of the reasons your dog is panting so much; for example, the noise of thunder, fireworks, vet visits, and other stressful events can make them pant excessively.
Conclusion
Assume that you notice your Chow Chow is panting a lot. Consulting your veterinarian is the solution for it; your vet will errorless identify your Chow and tell you accurately what you should do that will help your dog recover faster.
