If your dog is panting and constantly looking around—alert, unsettled, or even confused—it could be more than just curiosity. This behavior often signals anxiety, disorientation, or physical discomfort that your dog is struggling to communicate.
We outline the common causes of dog panting and looking around, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Panting and Looking Around — Why It Happens
Dogs may pant and look around when they feel anxious, disoriented, are in pain, or sense a threat or disturbance in their environment. It can reflect physical discomfort or neurological dysfunction—and sometimes both.
Common Causes of Dog Panting and Looking Around
Anxiety or Panic Attacks
Dogs with anxiety often exhibit hypervigilant behaviors like scanning their environment, panting, pacing, or looking around frantically.
Triggers can include loud noises, separation, changes in routine, or even subtle stressors like a new smell or sound.
The behavior may worsen at night or during storms.
Dogs may also tremble, hide, or bark excessively when anxious.
Treatment options include behavior modification, calming supplements, anxiety wraps, or prescription medication in severe cases.
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Dog Dementia)
Older dogs who pant and look around aimlessly may be showing signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).
They might appear confused, walk in circles, stare at walls, or become restless at night.
CCD is similar to Alzheimer’s in humans and progresses gradually.
Early signs can be managed with special diets, medications, and a consistent routine to reduce anxiety.
Vision or Hearing Loss
Sensory loss can cause dogs to become more reactive to their surroundings.
A dog who can’t hear or see well may pant from stress and look around trying to make sense of unfamiliar movements or sounds.
You may notice them being easily startled, avoiding dark areas, or hesitating before moving.
Gentle accommodations like night lights, verbal reassurance, or tactile cues can help reduce anxiety.
Read more: Dog Panting and Confused (What’s behind this behavior?)
Neurological Disorders
Panting and odd visual scanning behaviors can result from neurological issues.
These may include seizures (especially partial seizures), vestibular disease, or brain tumors.
Look for signs like head tilting, eye flicking, staggering, or collapsing.
Diagnostic tests like MRIs or neurological exams may be needed to identify the problem.
Early intervention can improve your dog’s comfort and prognosis.
Pain or Discomfort
Pain from arthritis, injury, or internal issues can make a dog pant and behave restlessly.
They may look around frequently, trying to avoid lying down or seeking a more comfortable position.
Pain might not always be obvious—watch for stiffness, limping, changes in posture, or sensitivity to touch.
A vet exam is essential to uncover hidden sources of pain and guide treatment.
Environmental Triggers
Some dogs are hypersensitive to environmental changes. A distant thunderclap, an unfamiliar smell, or vibrations in the house can trigger reactive behavior.
Dogs may pant, bark, pace, or visually scan the room in response.
While not always serious, chronic sensitivity may reflect a heightened stress response.
Desensitization and creating safe, predictable spaces can help reduce overreactivity.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting and Looking Around
Start by calming the environment—turn off loud sounds, dim the lights, and remove possible stress triggers.
Speak gently to your dog and avoid sudden movements.
Check for physical causes like injury, abdominal swelling, or signs of disorientation.
Record when and how the behavior occurs—especially if it seems to follow a pattern.
If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your vet for a full physical and neurological evaluation.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your dog:
Appears confused, disoriented, or restless for more than 30–60 minutes
Has trouble standing, walking, or seems to lose balance
Is elderly and showing signs of cognitive changes
Pants heavily and can’t seem to calm down
Has episodes of staring, head shaking, or unresponsiveness
Early detection of neurological or cognitive problems can make a significant difference in comfort and care.
Read more: Dog Panting and Shaking at Night (Is it anxiety or something serious?)
Key Takeaway
When your dog is panting and looking around anxiously, it’s a signal that something’s off—either mentally, emotionally, or physically.
Don’t dismiss these signs as random quirks. They’re often early warnings that deserve attention.
Observe carefully, reduce stressors, and involve your vet to get to the root of the issue and keep your dog feeling safe and well.