Seeing your dog panting and closing their eyes can be concerning, especially if it happens suddenly or seems unusual.
While panting alone can be normal after exercise or in hot weather, the combination of panting with eye-closing often suggests discomfort or another health-related issue.
We outline the common causes of panting and closing eyes in dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Dog Panting and Closing Eyes — Why It Happens
A dog that pants heavily while closing its eyes is often experiencing discomfort, pain, or fatigue. This behavior may be linked to overheating, stress, or eye irritation, but it can also signal more serious conditions such as illness, injury, or organ problems. Sometimes, dogs close their eyes to block out stimulation when they don’t feel well.
If panting is paired with restlessness, whining, or reluctance to move, it may point to an underlying medical issue that requires attention.
Dog Panting and Closing Eyes: Common Causes
Heat Stress or Overheating
One of the most common reasons a dog pants and squints or closes their eyes is heat stress. Dogs rely on panting to regulate body temperature, but if they overheat, they may appear exhausted and start shutting their eyes while trying to cool down.
Other signs include drooling, a red tongue, or weakness. If not addressed, overheating can quickly progress to heatstroke, which is life-threatening.
A dog that is panting heavily and closing their eyes in hot weather should always be monitored closely and given access to a cool environment.
Read more: Dog Panting and Licking Air (What it means)
Pain or Discomfort
Dogs often close their eyes when they’re uncomfortable, tired, or in pain. Panting can be a natural response to stress caused by discomfort.
For example, a dog with arthritis may pant due to joint pain and close its eyes when trying to rest. Abdominal pain, injury, or even dental discomfort can also trigger this combination of symptoms.
If your dog avoids activity, cries when touched, or seems restless, pain may be the underlying cause.
Eye Irritation or Infection
Sometimes the “closing eyes” part of this symptom comes directly from eye-related issues. Dogs may squint or shut their eyes due to conjunctivitis, scratches on the cornea, or dry eye.
When combined with panting, this can indicate both discomfort and stress. Redness, discharge, or pawing at the face are additional signs of an eye problem. Left untreated, eye conditions can worsen quickly and cause lasting damage.
Anxiety or Stress
Anxiety can cause panting even in cool environments, and some dogs close their eyes as part of a calming signal or attempt to withdraw from overstimulation.
Stress triggers include thunderstorms, loud noises, travel, or being left alone. Dogs may pace, whine, or tremble alongside the panting. While occasional stress isn’t unusual, persistent anxiety needs management to avoid affecting your dog’s wellbeing.
Heart or Respiratory Problems
Panting can signal difficulty with breathing or circulation. Heart disease, collapsed trachea, or lung conditions make dogs work harder to get enough oxygen. Closing the eyes during episodes may simply reflect fatigue or strain.
Other signs of heart or respiratory issues include coughing, reduced stamina, or bluish gums. If your dog pants heavily at rest and appears weak or distressed, these underlying health issues should be ruled out promptly.
Fatigue or Exhaustion
Sometimes the explanation is straightforward: your dog may simply be tired. After vigorous play or exercise, dogs pant to cool themselves down, and closing their eyes can just be a sign of needing rest.
While this is normal in healthy dogs, prolonged or extreme panting even after rest is not. If your dog seems unable to recover, this may indicate an underlying problem that requires veterinary attention.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting and Closing Their Eyes
If your dog begins panting and closing their eyes, start by evaluating the environment. Make sure they are not overheating by moving them into a cooler space with fresh water available.
If stress seems to be the trigger, create a calm, quiet area where your dog feels safe. Gentle reassurance and minimizing loud noises or chaotic activity can help.
Watch for signs of pain or discomfort. If your dog avoids movement, shows stiffness, or cries when touched, schedule a veterinary appointment. Never give human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs.
For possible eye issues, check for redness, discharge, or swelling. Keep your dog from rubbing the eye, and seek prompt veterinary care to prevent worsening.
If your dog’s symptoms are mild and improve with rest, it may not be urgent. But if panting is heavy, prolonged, or paired with signs of illness, calling your vet is the safest choice.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Panting and closing eyes can sometimes be mild, but certain warning signs mean your dog needs urgent veterinary attention.
If your dog is panting heavily, appears distressed, and doesn’t settle after rest, this may indicate pain, overheating, or a medical problem. Sudden collapse, weakness, or bluish gums require emergency care.
Any sign of abdominal swelling, repeated retching, or extreme restlessness should be treated as urgent, as these can signal bloat.
Ongoing eye closure, squinting, or discharge should also be checked quickly, since untreated eye problems can lead to vision loss.
If your dog is older, or has a history of heart or breathing problems, any unexplained panting and shutting eyes should be taken seriously and discussed with your vet as soon as possible.
Read more: Dog Panting and Mouth Watering (Causes and care tips)
Key Takeaway
A dog panting and closing its eyes is often signaling discomfort, whether from heat, pain, stress, or illness. While some causes are minor and resolve with rest or cooling, others can be more serious and require veterinary care.
As a pet owner, paying attention to these subtle cues can help you respond quickly and appropriately.
If your dog’s symptoms don’t improve, worsen, or are paired with additional warning signs, always seek veterinary advice.