Why Is My Puppy Breathing Fast During Sleep?

Something no one tells you about getting a new puppy, especially one that you’ve been super excited about is the “puppy blues.” This is when even the most experienced dog owner may be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious. You may be worrying about all kinds of things, including your puppy breathing rapidly when sleeping. But what does fast breathing during nap time for a pup mean? Let’s look at what’s normal and hopefully put your mind at ease if you notice your new furball breathing heavily while sleeping.

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Content:

1. Is It Normal for My Puppy to Breathe Fast While Sleeping
2. Why Is My Puppy Breathing So Fast While Sleeping
3. Conclusion

Is It Normal for My Puppy to Breathe Fast While Sleeping

The good news is that 99% of the time, puppies breathing rapidly when asleep is completely normal. Puppies typically breathe 15-40 breaths per minute while resting, and this rate can increase during sleep, especially during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase and it can be even more rapid the smaller the pup is. During REM sleep, puppies may also twitch and make sounds, which can be a bit alarming if you're not expecting it.

To help ease your concerns, you can use tools like the Petcube Cam to monitor your puppy’s breathing patterns even when you're not in the same room. This can provide you with peace of mind and help you keep a closer eye on any potential issues.

In short, puppies breathe faster than adult dogs and when they are dreaming. Sometimes, it is also a sign that they are getting too hot, since they can’t pant when they are sleeping.

A Reddit user shared their experience: "The first week my pup was home, I was googling everything and I felt so silly googling ‘is it bad if my puppy breathes really fast’ lol. After a couple days, I figured out that it’s usually because she’s too hot, even with the AC and her fan on. I started giving her an ice pack and she loves sleeping on it. I just make sure to secure it well in a shirt and check for any bite marks."

Why Is My Puppy Breathing So Fast While Sleeping

The usual reason that puppy’s breath so fast while sleeping is just that they have tiny lungs and a fast metabolism, so their respiratory system works faster than an adult dog’s. During REM sleep, a puppy may breathe faster, twitch, and vocalize. This is all a natural part of dreaming about something exciting or scary.

The next reason is thermoregulation, or how they regulate their body temperature. If puppies have a lot of fur and they’re sleeping in a warm area, they may start breathing faster to cool down. Finding a cooler spot for them to lie down, or even giving them an ice-pack wrapped in a towel can help them sleep more comfortably. This is especially a good option for a puppy with dense fur like a Husky, who lives in a very warm or humid climate.

Finally, another reason may be stress, anxiety, boredom, or excitement. Just like with humans, intense emotions can disturb a young dog’s rest. Instead of sleeping soundly and deeply, they may be having nightmares or struggling to settle.

Address whether your puppy has any anxiety or stress in their little life that is disturbing their sleep, or if they need more playtime, appropriate exercise, and training to help them settle into a deep sleep. High-energy breeds, like a Border Collie or Belgian Malinois, may be more restless during nap time if they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation when they are awake.

When to Worry

Now, sometimes rapid breathing when a puppy is asleep can be a sign of respiratory distress and an underlying problem. When puppies show signs like shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or a very fast heart rate, it is called “hypoxemia”, and it could be very serious. There are many reasons for hypoxemia, including:

• Nausea
• Pain or extreme stress
• Overexertion and heatstroke
• Viruses and bacterial infections
• Lung disease
• Internal parasites
• Sleep apnea (common in short-nosed breeds like Pugs who may have breathing issues due to the shape of their face)
• Allergic reactions or reactions to certain medications
• Poisoning

In one study, Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, writes that, “Quickly identifying the problem and providing the right treatment are crucial in handling breathing emergencies.”

If you don’t think your puppy's breathing is normal, check for the following:

• Are they still breathing fast even when they are awake and calm?
• Do they seem to have trouble breathing (gasping, frequent sneezing, raspy breath, wheezing, coughing, etc.) and do they have any other signs of being in distress?
• Check their gums. Pale or blue gums can indicate a lack of oxygen. Dry or sticky gums mean your puppy may be dehydrated. Very red gums can mean they are overheating.
• Is there any discharge from their eyes or nose?
• Do they have a fever (ask your vet to show how to take your puppy’s temperature or feel their ears for any unusual heat).
• Are there any other symptoms, such as being lethargic, refusing to eat, or vomiting?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions it may be an emergency. The Petcube Emergency Fund can offer you immediate access to an online vet 24/7 for immediate guidance and will also cover up to $3000 in emergency expenses. So make sure you’re covered in case your puppy’s breathing is a real emergency.

Conclusion

Watching your puppy’s rib cage rising and falling rapidly when they are sleeping can worry new pet parents. But remember, puppy’s have smaller lungs and fast little metabolisms, so they naturally breathe more rapidly than a human or adult dog. Chances are, they are just in REM sleep or they may be a little hot. However, if you notice the same problem when they are awake, it’s time to investigate and check them out for underlying issues.