Why do dogs pant so much... especially in our weather? Have you ever wondered about this?

Dogs pant for many reasons. It is a cooling mechanism for their bodies. Panting can also be associated with fear, stress or even with some diseases.

• Respiratory disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Hematologic disorders
• Neurologic disorders

Panting is a healthy dog's primary method of cooling. This is an evaporative cooling process from the respiratory tract. When a dog pants, the rapid, shallow breathing provides increased airflow over moist surfaces in the upper respiratory tract. The increase in airflow causes an increase in evaporation from the upper respiratory tract. As a result, the dog's body is cooled.

At the onset of panting, the respiration rate increases rather suddenly from around 30-40 respirations per minute to around 300-400 respirations per minute.

Under a moderate heat load, a dog alternates between brief periods of panting at high frequencies and periods of normal slow respiration.

Panting may have little to no impact on the affected dog, especially in association with transient causes such as fear or stress.

On the other hand, panting may represent a more severe, even life-threatening illness; therefore, it should not be ignored. If panting persists or worsens, it should be addressed.

During warm weather, it is important to keep your dog cool and ensure that he is well hydrated. You can do this by providing plenty of fresh clean water at all times. If your dog goes outside during the day, you can also encourage him to drink by giving him a ice cubes as treats. It is healthy, very easy to make, and it will provide cool refreshment for your dog for many hours.

One last word of advice... It is always best to be on the side of safety. See your vet if you are worked about your dog's breathing.