A dog panting excessively and shaking while sleeping can be alarming to witness, especially when your pup is supposed to be at rest. These symptoms may point to anything from vivid dreaming or anxiety to more serious health conditions affecting the nervous system or internal organs.
We outline the common causes of a dog panting excessively and shaking while sleeping, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Panting Excessively and Shaking While Sleeping — Why It Happens
When a dog is panting excessively and shaking while sleeping, it may be experiencing a vivid dream or nightmare, which can cause involuntary movements and rapid breathing. However, these signs can also indicate pain, fever, respiratory distress, low blood sugar, or an underlying neurological issue such as a seizure.
If the behavior is frequent, prolonged, or paired with other symptoms like disorientation when awake or changes in appetite, it’s important to consult a veterinarian
Dog Panting Excessively and Shaking While Sleeping: Common Causes
REM Sleep Behavior and Dreaming
Dogs, like humans, go through REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep where dreaming occurs. During this stage, it’s normal for dogs to twitch, paddle their legs, whimper, or breathe rapidly.
Panting and shaking may accompany intense dreams or simulated movement.
Owners might worry their dog is in distress, but gentle, infrequent shaking during sleep — especially if your dog wakes easily and acts normal afterward — is likely harmless.
If the panting is prolonged, noisy, or your dog doesn’t rouse easily, it could indicate something more concerning than dreaming.
Anxiety or Nighttime Panic
Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety or nighttime fear, particularly when sleeping alone or after a stressful day. Anxiety can persist even during sleep.
Panting is a physical sign of stress, and shaking can accompany emotional agitation or fear-based reactions, even during dreams.
If your dog seems restless, frequently changes sleeping positions, or wakes up panting and trembling, anxiety could be contributing to these episodes.
Noise sensitivity, changes in environment, or traumatic events can also spark sleep-time anxiety.
Read more: Dog Panting Excessively (Here’s why)
Pain or Discomfort
Underlying pain — whether from arthritis, abdominal distress, or injury — can cause dogs to pant and shake, even while asleep.
Panting is the body’s way of coping with discomfort, and shaking may signal muscle tension or a nervous system reaction to pain.
You might also notice your dog waking suddenly, licking certain areas, groaning, or showing reluctance to lie down or shift positions.
Pain-related sleep disturbances can occur more frequently in older dogs or those recovering from injury or surgery.
Fever or Infection
A rise in body temperature due to fever or systemic infection can cause panting and trembling, including during sleep when the body is at rest.
If your dog seems unusually warm, lethargic, or develops nasal discharge, vomiting, or diarrhea, infection may be to blame.
The immune system’s response can heighten at night, and fevers may spike while the body is in recovery mode, making sleep-related shaking more obvious.
Fever should always be investigated if paired with heavy panting, weakness, or other abnormal signs.
Seizures or Neurological Disorders
Seizure activity, including partial or focal seizures, can occur during sleep and resemble trembling, panting, or twitching.
Dogs may experience abnormal muscle movements or disturbed breathing patterns while unconscious or semi-conscious.
If your dog does not wake easily, appears disoriented, or has dilated pupils, drooling, or loss of control after one of these episodes, a neurological condition should be considered.
Canine epilepsy and other nervous system disorders can present subtly, especially during rest.
Heart or Respiratory Conditions
Heart disease, congestive heart failure, and respiratory distress can manifest as panting and shaking — even when a dog is at rest.
Lying down may put more strain on the heart and lungs, especially in older dogs or those with a known cardiac condition.
Labored breathing, panting at night, or restlessness during sleep can point to a lack of oxygenation or fluid buildup in the lungs.
You may also notice coughing, blue gums, or fainting episodes if heart failure is involved.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Panting Excessively and Shaking While Sleeping
Start by observing your dog’s behavior both during and after the sleep episode.
If your dog wakes up easily, seems otherwise healthy, and the episode was brief, it may simply be dream-related twitching or minor discomfort.
Create a calm sleeping environment with a soft bed, temperature control, and consistent bedtime routines to minimize anxiety and external triggers.
You can also gently soothe your dog when these episodes occur — soft talking or light petting may help ease transitions from dream states to wakefulness.
If pain is suspected, avoid over-the-counter medications and contact your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment options.
When in doubt, consider filming the episode so your veterinarian can better assess the situation based on what you observe.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should seek veterinary help if:
Your dog does not wake easily after an episode or seems disoriented.
Episodes occur frequently or intensify over time.
Your dog shows signs of pain, limping, or vocalizing.
Panting continues long after waking or is paired with labored breathing.
You notice other concerning symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, blue gums, or collapse.
Any combination of nighttime symptoms and daytime lethargy, appetite loss, or behavior change should not be ignored.
Prompt intervention can help address the root cause and keep your dog comfortable and safe.
Read more: Dog Excessive Panting and Eating Grass (When to worry)
Key Takeaway
Panting excessively and shaking while sleeping may be as innocent as a vivid dream or as serious as pain or a medical condition.
While occasional twitching or panting during sleep can be normal, consistent or severe episodes warrant closer observation and veterinary attention.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t wait to consult your vet — especially when symptoms appear during rest, when your dog should be at their most peaceful.
With the right attention, comfort, and medical guidance, your dog can get the care they need to rest easier — and so can you.