Panting accompanied by a fast heart rate in dogs can signal an underlying health concern that shouldn’t be ignored.
While dogs naturally pant to regulate body temperature and respond to excitement, pairing this with an accelerated heartbeat may indicate a medical condition that requires attention.
We outline the common causes of a dog panting with a fast heart rate, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Panting and Fast Heart Rate — Why It Happens
A dog’s heart rate naturally increases during exercise, excitement, or hot weather, but persistent panting with a rapid heartbeat can be more serious. This combination may reflect cardiovascular strain, respiratory challenges, pain, fever, or other systemic illnesses.
Dog Panting and Fast Heart Rate: Common Causes
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the most common causes of panting and a fast heart rate in dogs. When the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, oxygen delivery to tissues is reduced.
Panting occurs as the dog tries to intake more oxygen, while the heart speeds up to compensate for decreased circulation.
Other signs of heart disease include coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, fainting, or fluid buildup in the abdomen and lungs.
Heart disease is particularly serious because prolonged strain on the heart can lead to heart failure, making early veterinary diagnosis and treatment essential.
Read more: Dog Panting and Fever (Here’s why)
Respiratory Issues
Conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or collapsing trachea can elevate both heart rate and breathing.
When a dog struggles to get enough oxygen, panting intensifies, and the heart beats faster to circulate oxygenated blood more efficiently.
You may notice coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing while lying down, or bluish gums. Respiratory issues can deteriorate quickly without intervention, and a veterinarian may need to prescribe medication or provide supplemental oxygen to stabilize the dog.
Pain or Anxiety
Severe pain or high stress levels can trigger panting and an increased heart rate in dogs.
Pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing stress hormones that elevate heart rate and respiratory rate.
Signs may include restlessness, whining, hiding, or favoring a body part. Anxiety-driven panting and tachycardia (fast heart rate) should not be overlooked, as they may mask an underlying injury, illness, or behavioral issue that requires attention.
Fever or Infection
When a dog has a fever due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, the heart beats faster, and panting increases to regulate body temperature. Fever raises metabolic activity, prompting the cardiovascular system to work harder to support the immune response.
Other symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, or shivering. Prompt veterinary evaluation is critical to determine the source of infection and administer appropriate treatments like antibiotics or supportive care.
Heatstroke
Overheating can rapidly cause panting and a dangerously fast heart rate. Dogs exposed to high temperatures, direct sunlight, or poorly ventilated spaces may struggle to cool themselves efficiently.
The heart pumps faster to maintain circulation while the dog pants excessively to release heat.
Signs include drooling, bright red gums, confusion, collapse, or vomiting. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate cooling measures and urgent veterinary care, as prolonged overheating can lead to organ failure or death.
Endocrine Disorders
Hormonal imbalances, such as hyperthyroidism or Cushing’s disease, can accelerate a dog’s metabolism and increase heart rate.
Dogs with endocrine disorders may pant more and show additional symptoms like increased thirst and urination, weight changes, hair loss, or changes in appetite.
Diagnosis requires blood tests and sometimes imaging, and treatment usually involves medication to regulate hormone levels.
Left untreated, endocrine issues can worsen cardiovascular strain and metabolic complications, making veterinary intervention crucial.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting and Has a Fast Heart Rate
Move your dog to a cool, comfortable area to help lower stress and body temperature. Ensure good airflow, shade, and a quiet environment to keep the dog calm.
Offer small amounts of water if your dog is able to drink. Avoid forcing water, which could lead to choking or vomiting, especially if your dog is anxious or nauseated.
Take your dog’s temperature if possible. Normal dog temperature ranges from 101°F to 102.5°F. Elevated temperatures alongside panting and a fast heart rate may indicate fever or heat-related illness.
Monitor your dog closely for other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, or changes in gum color. Documenting these signs helps your veterinarian diagnose the underlying issue more quickly.
Limit physical activity until the heart rate returns to normal and your dog has been evaluated. Encourage rest, and avoid exposing your dog to extreme temperatures or stressful situations.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Immediate veterinary attention is necessary if your dog’s heart rate remains elevated at rest, panting is severe, or your dog appears weak, dizzy, or unresponsive.
Seek prompt care if panting and a fast heart rate are accompanied by bluish gums, fainting, coughing, vomiting, or severe lethargy.
Dogs with pre-existing heart, lung, or endocrine conditions should be evaluated as soon as these symptoms appear. Even mild increases in heart rate with panting should not be ignored, as underlying health issues can escalate quickly without treatment.
Read more: Dog Panting and Heart Murmur (Explained)
Key Takeaway
Panting and a fast heart rate in dogs can result from heart or respiratory disease, fever, pain, anxiety, heatstroke, or endocrine disorders. While occasional panting with mild exertion is normal, persistent or severe symptoms warrant careful attention.
You can help by keeping your dog cool, offering water, monitoring their heart rate and additional symptoms, and reducing stress.
Prompt veterinary care ensures proper diagnosis and treatment, protecting your dog from complications and improving comfort.
Recognizing early warning signs and understanding potential causes allows dog owners to respond quickly, safeguard their pets’ health, and maintain overall well-being.