PET42 guide
Checking your dog’s breathing: breaths and warning signs
Count breaths when your dog is resting or asleep. Breathing effort, posture and gum colour matter alongside the respiratory rate.
Breathing can be easily observed at home when your dog is sleeping or lying quietly. Knowing your dog’s usual resting respiratory rate helps you recognise changes early. In addition to the number, effort of breathing, posture and gum colour are also crucial.
Dogs breathe significantly faster after exercise, excitement or warmth. This is initially normal. A breathing check only becomes meaningful when the dog is lying still or sleeping and is not panting.
Respiratory rate is only part of the observation. A dog can breathe with effort even while the respiratory rate appears normal. Conversely, increased frequency after an exciting dream may be harmless in the short term. That's why number, breathing depth, posture and behaviour always count together.
This is how you count the breaths
Wait until your dog is relaxed. Observe your dog’s chest or abdomen. One rise and fall together count as one breath.
You can count for 30 seconds and double the result. Alternatively, count 15 seconds and multiply by four. For irregular breathing, a full minute is more accurate.
What is important is:
- don't count directly after a game or walk,
- don't count while panting,
- do not wake or touch the dog,
- record several measurements on different days,
- If possible, always measure in a comparable situation.
Many healthy dogs rest at around 15 to 30 breaths per minute. Breed, size, age, room temperature and sleep phase can influence the value. Even more important than a single general range is your own dog's normal value.
When is an increased frequency noticeable?
A sustained resting rate above 40 breaths per minute is a reason to take a closer look and seek veterinary advice. Repeat the measurement when your dog is really calm. If the value remains elevated or continues to rise, it should be examined.
For dogs with heart or lung disease, the veterinary practice can set a personal limit. Then regular counting is often part of the monitoring the condition.
Fever, pain, anxiety, overheating, anaemia, and heart and lung diseases can accelerate breathing. The number alone does not reveal the cause.
Breathing effort matters more than the number alone
Breathing calmly occurs without any visible effort. The chest and abdomen move evenly. Nose breathing is quiet. The dog can lie comfortably and change positions.
Warning signs are:
- the abdomen visibly works with every breath,
- the nostrils move strongly,
- the dog stretches its neck and head forward,
- the elbows stick out to the sides,
- the dog cannot lie relaxed,
- breathing appears shallow, pressed or irregular,
- whistling, rattling or unusually loud noises,
- Open mouth breathing without heat or strain.
Particularly in short-nosed dogs, breathing noises are sometimes dismissed as typical of the breed. However, snoring, wheezing and limited exercise capacity can indicate significant breathing problems.
Gum colour as an emergency sign
Healthy gums are light pink in many dogs. Dark pigment spots can be normal. It is crucial that you know what your dog usually looks like.
Blue, grey, or purple gums can indicate severe oxygen deficiency. Noticeably pale gums, collapse or severe weakness are also emergency signs. In these situations, do not wait for a second measurement, but go to a veterinary clinic or emergency veterinary service immediately.
This is how you document a change
Note the time, resting frequency, posture and possible triggers. A short video from a distance is often helpful for the veterinary practice. Avoid bright flashes and do not crowd or disturb your dog.
If possible, answer:
- Since when has breathing changed?
- Was there heat, stress, an accident or a choking episode?
- Coughing, choking or nasal discharge?
- Does the dog eat and drink?
- Does it seem painful or unusually restless?
- Are there any known heart or lung diseases?
When to act immediately?
Any sustained laboured breathing is an emergency. This is particularly true in cases of open mouth breathing without strain, blue or grey mucous membranes, collapse, significant abdominal breathing or a frequency over 60 with visible exertion.
Keep the dog calm and cool. Avoid putting pressure on your dog’s neck and chest. If he is short of breath, do not give him food or force him to drink. Call the clinic on the way so the team can prepare.
Conclusion
A breathing check makes changes visible. Only count when your dog is resting and get to know your dog's personal normal value. Visible work of breathing or discoloured gums are more pressing than a single elevated number.
Advice tailored to your dog
Weight and fitness affect breathing
Excess weight can put a strain on your dog’s circulation, joints and breathing. The PET42 food check takes your dog's weight, activity, age and tolerance into account.
Questionnaire, checkout and feeding advice are provided in German.
