You may notice your dog taking short, quick breaths after exercising or when they are feeling hot. When there is no apparent reason why your dog is taking short, quick breaths, you need to take a few minutes and assess your dog’s overall condition. Pay close attention to how long your dog has been taking short, quick breaths and also any other abnormal behavior that your dog may be exhibiting to determine if an emergency trip to your veterinary clinic is necessary. 

If your dog has just been out running and playing and then comes in breathing fast, you should allow your dog time to calm down and monitor their breathing. If your dog has just been startled or surprised, you may notice a change in their breathing. Watch them to make sure that their breathing goes back to normal. Normal breathing rate for dogs is generally between 12 and 20 times per minute.

Possible causes of your dog taking short, quick breaths include:

When your dog’s heart is failing to pump enough blood to their organs, especially the lungs, it can cause less oxygen to circulate through the organs and lead your dog to breathe faster. You may notice that your dog has more difficulty breathing when they are lying down rather than when they are sitting up. You will be able to tell if your dog is lacking oxygen by looking at their gums or inside the lower eyelid, both should be pink. If the gums or inner eyelid have a bluish tint, your dog is lacking oxygen. 

When your dog is in pain you will notice them breathing much faster than normal. Dogs will generally hide pain, but they cannot hide the fact that they take short, quick breaths when feeling pain. Check your dog closely for any areas on their body that may be painful. Have your veterinarian perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your dog’s pain.

Just like with humans, dogs can suffer from allergies of all kinds. When your dog is allergic to something, they may gasp for air or take short, quick breaths. A serious allergic reaction, such as anaphylactic shock, can cause extreme swelling of the air passages and cause your dog to have difficulty getting oxygen. 

Respiratory infection, including pneumonia, can cause your dog to not be able to breathe and pull in enough oxygen into their lungs. You may also notice your dog suffering from coughing, sneezing, lethargy, fever and/or eye and nasal discharge. 

Dogs that are exposed to high temperatures can suffer from heat stroke. Your dog will try to regulate their breathing by taking short, quick breaths. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke take them to your veterinarian immediately. 

Most people do not realize that their dog can suffer from asthma just like humans. Asthma in dogs is caused by an environmental irritant and causes your dog to cough, wheeze and breathe by taking short, quick breaths. Sometimes they will breathe with their mouths open. You will need to get your dog to your veterinarian immediately.

When your dog’s breathing is in question, do not wait to take your dog to see your veterinarian. Many conditions that cause your dog to experience difficulty breathing can be life threatening if not treated quickly. Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other signs that your dog is experiencing. 

Your veterinarian will observe your dog’s breathing and perform a physical examination. They will be looking for any potential causes of pain that may be causing your dog to take short, quick breaths. Other diagnostic tests will be ordered to look for infections, heart conditions, allergies or any other possible cause of your dog’s altered breathing. 

Once your veterinarian has determined the cause of why your dog is taking short, quick breaths, they will discuss a treatment plan. When necessary, they will also prescribe medications. Be sure to follow dosing instructions as written for your dog.

While it may be difficult to prevent certain conditions, there are others that you can alter your dog’s environment and help them avoid certain allergens. If your dog has been diagnosed with allergies, remove any allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. Dogs that suffer from asthma will need to have a clean environment and avoid certain things such as fresh cut grass. 

Keep a close watch on your dog if you think you notice your dog’s breathing is altered. If their breathing does not regulate within a few minutes, their breathing worsens or there are other signs present do not wait, seek veterinary attention immediately.

The cost to treat your dog will vary depending on their diagnosis. Dogs that suffer from asthma or allergies can be treated effectively for around $400. Heart conditions can be treated for $800 to $8000 depending on the severity of the condition. Respiratory infections and pneumonia can cost between $350 and $6000.