Why is my pregnant dog breathing heavy?: Taking a closer look

Last updated on February 5th, 2025 at 03:52 am

Oh no. Why is my pregnant dog breathing heavy?”

Are you a future fur-gramma? Do you get scared when you see your pregnant dog getting more and more anxious around strangers and other animals?

First of all, congratulations. I’m sure you and your dog are going to get through this. Pregnancy in dogs can be stressful to the pet and the owner. Don’t worry, you got this. 

Today, let’s talk about some of the changes that female dogs undergo during pregnancy. When it comes to breathing, you may notice that your pregnant dog is not breathing like she used to. Should you be worried?

Let’s find out. 

Affiliate Disclaimer: Pet Content Solutions is a proud partner of the Amazon Services LLC Associates and other pet businesses. Therefore, this blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Funds go to chimken, veggies, and toys for my dogs Kuya and Bunso. Please read the disclaimer for more info.

Why is my pregnant dog panting and breathing heavily?

There are many reasons why your pregnant dog is panting and breathing heavily. Some of these reasons are: 

  1. Your pregnant dog is trying to cool down
  2. Weight gain
  3. Your dog is about to give birth
  4. Eclampsia
  5. Heart disease
  6. Lung disease

1. Your pregnant dog is trying to cool down

Heavy breathing is common in pregnant dogs for the same reason as other dogs would. Since dogs don’t have sweat glands to release the heat from their bodies, they need to cool down in a different way, thus the panting. 

Panting allows for the evaporation of excess moisture which helps cool down their bodies. Therefore, a pregnant dog may be panting simply because she’s feeling hot. But, if her rectal temperature drops to 99 degrees or lower, that means she’s about to give birth. 

2. Weight gain

Weight gain during pregnancy can contribute to heavy breathing in dogs. As an expectant mother’s body undergoes changes to accommodate growing puppies, the added weight can put extra pressure on her diaphragm and lungs. This can result in increased effort during breathing, leading to heavier respiration.

Therefore, it’s essential to monitor your pregnant dog’s weight closely and ensure she maintains a healthy balance to alleviate strain on her respiratory system.

3. Your dog is about to give birth

If you notice that your pregnant dog is panting, restless, and moving around a lot, it’s showtime! Your dog is showing warning signs that she’s about to give birth.

This can be very stressful, especially for first-time moms. You can’t imagine how painful abdominal contractions are. Therefore, you need to be sure to keep her comfortable while she’s in labor. At the same time, give her space for privacy so she can perform the final stages of her labor. 

4. Eclampsia

Let’s say your dog has given birth successfully. Everything went smoothly, and the puppies are healthy and thriving. A few days later, you noticed mommy dog still panting, disoriented, and having seizures.

These are signs of eclampsia. Eclampsia is a life-threatening illness caused by extremely low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) in the body. This occurs 1-3 weeks after giving birth as the demand for milk increases.

Eclampsia is caused by poor nutrition, milk production, and disease of the parathyroid glands. Although life-threatening, eclampsia can be treated by giving calcium solution intravenously, under close supervision by the vet.

5. Heart disease

Congestive heart failure can complicate a dog’s pregnancy journey. If undiagnosed prior to her condition, seek advice from the vet.

A vet can determine whether your dog is healthy enough to continue with the pregnancy. Otherwise, the vet may recommend terminating the pregnancy to save your dog’s life. 

6. Lung disease

Unfortunately, pregnant dogs are prone to lung diseases like pneumonia. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. There are three common kinds of pneumonia:

It’s possible that lung diseases can be acquired while the dog is pregnant. So if your dog is showing symptoms like coughing, and wheezing (noisy breathing), seek medical advice from your vet. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my pregnant dog is panting?

Panting or rapid breathing is a perfectly normal behavior for dogs, especially during the summer. Chances are, your dog is experiencing high body temperature and needs to cool down. All you have to do is keep her away from direct sunlight and find a cooler spot for resting. 

You can also soak a clean towel in ice-cold water and wipe your dog’s face and body to help lower her temperature. 

But if your gut tells you there’s something wrong, call your vet immediately. Heavy panting can be caused by different health conditions like heart problems, lung disease, or she’s about to give birth. Your vet will need to examine your dog to determine what is causing her to pant.

Does panting mean a dog is in labor?

The gestation period or nesting period ranges from 58-68 days. Panting is one of the common signs that a dog is in labor. Other signs of labor include restlessness, digging or dragging blankets in her whelping box, or having vaginal discharge. 

What preparation should be made before dog labor?

A dog momma needs a safe, comfortable place to stay while she is giving birth. She will need a crate or whelping box to give birth in, and a clean, dry, quiet area to rest afterward. Puppies also need food and water during this time.

How long does the initial stage of dog labor take?

It varies quite a bit between dogs. Usually, it’s somewhere between six and twelve hours.

Why do dogs pant when they give birth?

The birthing process can be stressful to the dog, thus the panting or heavier breathing. Other reasons include abdominal pain caused by strong contractions. 

But if you suspect underlying conditions that cause panting in dogs, consult your vet immediately.

My pregnant dog is panting but she isn’t in labor. What do I need to do?

If your dog is panting but doesn’t seem to be in labor, it may just be because she is very hot. She may also be worried about something, or she may have an underlying condition, such as heart or kidney problems. If she seems unwell, you should call your vet immediately.

What are the first signs of a dog going into labor?

You may notice your pregnant dog acting differently when she’s about to go into labor. Some of these behaviors are:

1. Excessive panting

2. Restlessness

3. Nesting behavior

4. Abdominal pain caused by uterine contractions

5. Vaginal discharge

Stages of canine pregnancy: gestation period, birth, and weaning.

The first stage of labor begins when the cervix begins to soften and dilate. During this period, the bitch will begin to feel cramps and may experience a small amount of vaginal discharge.

The second stage of labor begins when there is an increase in uterine contractions and the bitch feels pressure in her pelvis. At this point, she will start to push and deliver the puppies.

If you notice your dog is straining for 30 minutes and nothing comes out, call your vet immediately. If it’s been 2 hours since the last puppy came out, even if there’s no straining, you’ll need to break the amniotic sac.

If you can see the puppy coming back with its tail, you’ll need to deliver it right away. If you can see that the puppy is breached, call your vet.

Can a dog die in childbirth?

Yes, there are many reasons why a dog can possibly die from childbirth. 

  1. Blood clotting
  2. If one of the puppies remains inside the mother (unborn puppy)
  3. The placenta has not come out of her body 24-48 hours after delivery
  4. The dog hasn’t recovered her strength fully (weakness or lethargy)
  5. Increased blood pressure (heart failure)
  6. Low blood calcium levels (eclampsia)

If your dog doesn’t look like she’s slowly recovering days after birth, this calls for a medical emergency. Call your vet as soon as possible. 

Final thoughts

Panting or heavy breathing is perfectly normal for dogs, even the ones that are pregnant. This is their way of stabilizing their body temperature to prevent heatstroke, especially during the summer. 

But if your pregnant dog is showing other signs of breathing difficulties like wheezing, nasal discharge, or weakness, it is always best to consult the vet. 

References

Learn more