Why Is My Puppy Breathing Fast?

What to do right now

Stop all play and move your puppy to a cool, quiet, shaded room. Look at the gums: healthy gums are pale pink, and AKC explains that gums turning dark red, blue or purple mean the dog is not getting enough oxygen. If you see that, or your puppy is gasping, too weak to stand, or collapses, go to an emergency vet now and call ahead from the car.

If the gums look normal, watch the breathing for a few minutes. AKC advises that if fast breathing stays up after a dog has rested, you should get to a veterinary clinic within 30 minutes. Do not give any medicine, human or otherwise, and do not force food or water. Tell the vet when it started, what your puppy was doing, and whether your puppy has eaten, had a fall, or been in the heat.

Signs that mean go now

Go to an emergency vet immediately if fast breathing comes with any of these: gums that are blue, purple, gray or very pale; breathing with obvious effort, such as the belly heaving, the neck stretched out or the mouth open at rest; a wet cough; collapse; seizures; or being too weak to stand or drink.

Also go straight away if your puppy is very small or very young and is drowsy, shaky, wobbly or unusually floppy. AKC lists rapid breathing among the signs of low blood sugar, which can be fatal if untreated, and says any suspected case needs a vet right away even if the puppy seems to recover. A body temperature of 104.5 degrees F or higher points to overheating, which is also an emergency.

How to count your puppy's breathing

Count while your puppy is asleep or resting quietly, not right after play. VCA Animal Hospitals explains how: each rise and fall of the chest is one breath, so count the breaths for 30 seconds and multiply by two. Write the numbers down for your vet.

VCA says that for adult dogs a normal resting rate is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute, and that a rate consistently above 30 is considered increased. AKC gives a normal resting range of 20 to 35 and calls 40 to 60 very concerning. Neither page gives a puppy-specific number, so treat these as a rough reference only and ask your vet what is normal for your puppy's age and breed.

Why a puppy may breathe fast

Normal causes are excitement, play, exercise and warm weather. AKC notes that this kind of fast breathing eases once the dog rests, drinks water and cools off. If your puppy settles within a short time and is otherwise bright, eating and acting like itself, that fits the pattern.

Worrying causes include low blood sugar, which AKC says is most common in very young or very small puppies, such as toy breeds and puppies under about 12 weeks, and in puppies that are newly acquired, stressed or carrying intestinal parasites. Pneumonia is another: AKC lists rapid breathing alongside a deep wet cough, fever, runny nose and lethargy, and says it can become life-threatening in young dogs. Heat-related illness is a third. Only an exam can tell these apart, which is why a puppy breathing fast at rest should be seen.

What the vet will check

Your vet will look at gum color, take your puppy's temperature, listen to the heart and lungs, and count the breathing rate. They may also check blood sugar or take chest X-rays. A puppy with trouble breathing is usually seen straight away, so say so on the phone.

Bring your breathing counts, a short video of the breathing if you can take one safely, and a note of anything your puppy might have eaten or chewed. For the adult-dog version of this page, see why is my dog breathing fast.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.