Why Is My Goldendoodle Breathing Heavily? Goldendoodle Heavy Breathing a Problem?

If you have got a Goldendoodle, your life is definitely full of cuteness, playfulness, and fun. Goldendoodles are known to be extremely fun-loving and energetic. They can definitely revitalize your monotonous days with their cheerful mood. 

However, on certain occasions, your dog may start breathing and panting heavily. It may even affect your Goldendoodle’s energy levels – they can even become lethargic. 

Sometimes, the same may occur with your Goldendoodle as well. In such conditions, it can be very stressful for you to understand the cause of it or even decide if it’s severe or not.

To make it easier for you, we have tried to find some quick, authentic answers to your questions to help you figure out your little pup’s condition!

Read this blog post to know more about your dog’s breathing condition. 

Is Your Goldendoodle Breathing Heavily or Normally?

The first way to examine a Goldendoodle’s condition is by checking if they are breathing heavily or routine for them.

You should know that dogs do pant a lot of times because of specific reasons like feeling extremely hot. They may also puff if they’re too excited or feeling extremely energetic as well.

So, if you find that your dog seems fine apart from the usual panting, then there is no need to worry. 

However, on the other hand, it is essential to check if your dog is panting heavily, getting tired too early, or is somewhat anxious and distressed. In these conditions, there are probable chances that there’s a proper underlying reason for this.

Some of these conditions can be when your dog is exceptionally dehydrated and hot. They may also suffer from other chronic or fatal illnesses you may be unaware of. If you have recently adopted a Goldendoodle, chances are that it may have gone through some severe trauma before.

You should also remember that usually, dogs take about 30 to 40 breaths per minute. However, when it is a serious cause, they may start breathing at a rate of 300 or more breaths per minute. That’s basically an increase by tenfold! So, obviously, you may even notice the difference. 

In this way, you can try to gauge your Goldendoodle’s breathing pattern and know if it is a serious issue or not. 

Now, let’s take an in-depth look into some of the reasons why your Goldendoodle keeps panting hard. 

Top Three Reasons Why Your Goldendoodle Is Panting Hard

There are plenty of reasons why your Goldendoodle is panting and breathing hard. Yet, there are three leading causes of this particular condition, such as:

1. Obesity in Dogs

If you’re surprised, don’t be. Just like humans, dogs, like Goldendoodles, may also be the victim of obesity and overweight. Experts say that over 50% of dog in the USA are overweight or obese.

Obesity can cause plenty of problems in dogs, such as anxiety, laziness, and heavy panting or breathing too.

The heavy panting is mostly because your Goldendoodle has been inactive due to weight gain, and even a little bit of strenuous exercise can cause your dog to pant heavily. 

There are various reasons why your Goldendoodle may be gaining weight, such as:

Overeating

Now, we all love to feed our dogs and give them treats. However, have we thought about how harmful it can be for your dog to eat unhealthy amounts of food every day? Well, the result is obesity. 

If it is the case, you need to control yourself and your dog from indulging in a high amount of fatty products.

Not Exercising

Goldendoodles are exceptionally playful, but if you’re not too active yourself, then your dog may also get lazy. So, it becomes equally vital for you to be energetic to make your Goldendoodle feel healthy and refreshing.

Other Reasons 

There are plenty of other reasons why your Goldendoodle may be suffering from being overweight. For example, spaying and neutering can cause an increase in weight. 

Additionally, some hormonal issues such as hypothyroidism may also cause your dog to gain weight suddenly. The weight gain may also be caused suddenly due to slow metabolism.

2. Excessive Heat

Another reason why your dog keeps panting heavily may be because of excessive heat. 

Remember that, in this case, it is no normal heat, and rather, a heatstroke. Dogs, like Goldendoodles, keep panting when they feel hot to keep their bodies cold.

However, when your dog is getting heatstroke, it may keep panting. Irregular and excessive panting can cause various problems like periodic heart rate. In severe cases, heatstroke can also be the cause of death.

Goldendoodles also have thicker fur compared to other dogs. So, they are even more prone to feeling hotter and panting harder. Despite the beautiful fur – there is still a risk of sun burn for a Goldendoodle.

Here are some quick signs of heatstroke in the case of an emergency: 

• Heavy and excessive breathing
• Increase in heart rate
• High body temperature
• Diarrhea and puking
• Disorientation
• Deeply red gums 

If you’re noticing these symptoms, then chances are your dog may have a heatstroke.

3. Heavy Exercises

Heavy exercise is also one of the primary reasons why your dog keeps panting a lot.

Goldendoodles love to run, swim and play. If you keep exercising your Goldendoodle a lot, it may start panting heavily to maintain proper body temperature and coolness.

So, these are some of the reasons why your Goldendoodle keeps panting heavily. Other causes may include stress, anxiety, underlying medical issues, etc.

Why Does Your Goldendoodle Keep Panting at Night? 

During the daytime, your Goldendoodle may be involved in physical activities that cause heavy panting. However, what if your Goldendoodle keeps panting at night too? 

Well, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your little fellow is going through this.

1. Dreaming at Night

As surprising as it sounds, some dogs do pant at night when they’re dreaming. So, your Goldendoodle might also be chasing something or engaging in strenuous activity in their dream. Due to this, they may have been panting all night. 

It is also essential to remember that as long as your dog isn’t looking too anxious or is whimpering, there’s no need to worry.

2. Heat 

A lot of times, dogs keep panting when they’re feeling boiling and sweaty. So, if your dog keeps panting at night, we recommend checking the spots where you usually put them to sleep.

If you find that your dog may not be getting enough air at night due to poor air circulation in the dog’s sleeping spot, then that might be the reason. 

Another thing to keep in mind is checking the material on top of which your dog usually sleeps. Even if you cherish your dog’s comfort and want to give them the best of the things, including a sleeping mat, you need to consider the temperature. 

If the material is too thick and warm, your Goldendoodle may start feeling hot. So, try to check that material also.

3. Stress and Anxiety

One of the primary reasons why your dog keeps panting and breathing heavily is maybe because of stress and anxiety. Dogs like the Goldendoodle or Cockapoo are highly social dogs that depend on humans for support.

You cannot always precisely pinpoint why your Goldendoodle suddenly feels stressed and anxious. However, some of the significant reasons are:

• As Goldendoodles are loving creatures, they may be afraid of getting separated from you at night. It is usually more common if your dog sleeps alone. 
• If your Goldendoodle is quite old, anxiety is a common phenomenon due to different physical and mental changes. This can also cause panting.
• Dogs are often scared of loud noises and speakers. So, if you’ve constant parties at home or blast the sound system watching Netflix, then that could be the reason for heavy panting.
• Some dogs are also scared of unknown people. This may also cause stress and anxiety if you’ve guests at home. 
• If you’ve adopted your Goldendoodle, there is a chance are that they may have had trauma and anxiety due to their previous owner’s behavior.
• Your dog may also not be comfortable in any new environment. 

4. Medical Condition

As dogs cannot speak, it can get hard to understand if they’re going through a medical condition or not. However, if your Goldendoodle keeps panting heavily, it can also be because of an underlying chronic disease. 

There can be certain diseases such as pneumonia, tumors, cancer, or other respiratory illnesses that are causing such suffering. 

So, try to consult a vet as soon as possible if the panting continues. 

5. Poisonous Food

A lot of times, dogs end up eating something they really shouldn’t. It could be chocolate or antifreeze.

Although some vegetables like carrots or asparagus are okay for dogs to eat, others like onion are poisonous to dog.s

In such situations, they may start panting profusely. They may also begin to puke or have an increased heart rate.

Now, this can be because of someone who may have tried to give poisonous food to your cute pup.

In such a situation, it is essential to see a vet as quickly as possible to save your Goldendoodle from suffering.

So, these are some of the reasons why your Goldendoodle keeps panting at night. Let’s move onto how you can stop and prevent your dog from panting heavily. 

How to Stop Your Goldendoodle From Panting a Lot? 

There are various ways you can prevent your precious dog from panting a lot, such as:

Check the Temperature

If your dog keeps panting a lot, we advise you to check the temperature both indoors and outdoors.

If you feel like the temperature outside is way too hot for your Goldendoodle, stay in rather than risking a heat stroke. In case you do, keep your dog hydrated at all times.  

You also need to check the temperature near your dog’s sleeping/sitting area to see if it is not too hot for your Goldendoodle. Hot rooms can definitely cause extreme panting and sweating. 

During summers, you can even go for an elevated dog bed for your Goldendoodle. 

Regular Exercising and Proper Meal Plan

If your Goldendoodle is gaining a lot of pounds lately, consider taking them for exercising regularly. Even a walk would do the job. 

On the side, do not feed extra fatty and sugary to your dog. 

Calm Your Goldendoodle

Stress and anxiety also cause panting. So, try to soothe your little dog and calm him down. Remember that touching your dog at this time may scare them off more.

You can try to distract your dog by commanding gently. You can also take your dog to their favorite spot (even if it is outside just gently attach the Goldendoodle harness) and let them become calm and steady. 

Go to a Vet

If the panting condition keeps continuing, it is recommended to take your Goldendoodle to the veterinarian. They can diagnose your dog’s condition and help you understand if there are any underlying problems or diseases.

Additionally, if you also feel like your dog is undergoing a heat stroke or food poisoning, immediately see the veterinarian prevent anything from happening.

Here’s a pro tip: Whenever your dog starts panting heavily, take a short video to show it to the veterinarian. 

Final Thoughts – Is It a Cause for Concern or Not? 

All dogs, including Goldendoodles, have a habit of panting to maintain their body temperature. So, if the panting is normal and short-term, it isn’t much of a big deal. 

However, suppose the panting gets too much, along with other symptoms such as severe anxiety, breathlessness, or coughing. In that case, you should definitely take your precious gem to the veterinarian.

Heavy breathing causing the dog to be distressed for months on end can be a sign that a dog may, unfortunately, need to be put to sleep out of kindness. We don’t want our best friends to suffer. Closely monitor and visit the Vet early to help prevent more serious issues.