Why are my Frenchie puppies breathing fast?
Is this normal in puppies?
What can I do about it?
Although alarming, it’s probably nothing to worry about.
This article gives you the answers to your questions and exciting facts on rapid breathing in dogs.
Come with us for this and much more.
Is fast breathing normal for puppies?
Rapid breathing in puppies is mostly normal. It can be a result of your dog dreaming during slumber. It could also be that they are excited and scared, just from exercising or hot enough to have them panting.
To make them pant. However, rapid breathing can also signal a medical condition needing attention.
Why Frenchies Puppies Breathing Fast: 7 Fascinating Facts
Fast breathing and sleeping
Watching your little Frenchie breath rapidly in his slumber can be a scary experience especially if accompanied by twitching, whining, or wriggling.
However, there’s no cause for alarm as this is normal and common in sleeping puppies. The breathing and the movements are because your puppy is dreaming. Just like humans, dogs also dream in their sleep patterns. You can compare this type of breathing to what we see in infants while asleep.
Although you can’t tell what the puppy is dreaming about, it could be scary, exciting, or trippy, which causes the body to respond somehow.
During this process, your Frenchie uses more energy and will begin to breathe faster to take in extra oxygen, which is then carried from the lungs to the bloodstream and converted into energy.
It’s natural to get concerned over your dog’s rapid breathing in its sleep as they do so frequently. However, consider this necessary for their bodies to grow and develop. As such, fast breathing and dreaming are merely part of this process.
Puppies, rapid breathing, and stress
You’ve been looking for a companion to share your home with.
And now that you’ve gotten the perfect pup, you’re excited to bring it home.
But wait, does your little furry companion share the same feelings of happiness and excitement with you?
Unfortunately, your little doggie could be battling a mountain of emotions that are contrary to yours.
When you adopt a puppy and take it home, you separate it from its mother and take it to unfamiliar surroundings.
It’s a significant life transition, and it’s likely to cause a great deal of worry, which can cause rapid breathing as an indication of anxiety brought on by the quick surge of change.
There is nothing to be concerned about in this case. However, treating the puppy gently during this time will go a long way in ensuring it doesn’t get overwhelmed. It’s crucial if you intend to begin training and socializing right away.
Medical concerns and rapid breathing
Although fast breathing in puppies isn’t often a cause for alarm, at times, it may be indicative of several medical conditions. The severity of these conditions varies and is generally accompanied by other symptoms that narrow down the problem.
Rapid breathing, otherwise called polypnea or tachypnea, is linked to lung problems. While some of these issues like asthma or kennel cough are minor, others like pulmonary edema or bleeding into the lungs are quite serious.
Lung-related issues are normally accompanied by chronic coughing. Severe coughing can also signal an underlying heart issue.
Besides heart and lung issues, rapid breathing can also be a sign of other concerns, including anemia, low oxygen levels, tumors, and onion poisoning.
If you notice your dog breathing rapidly in situations other than sleep, recovering after an exercise, or maintaining calm, immediately make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Rapid breathing and swollen stomachs
Is your dog breathing rapidly and appears to have a swollen tummy?
There’s no need to freak out. Despite being linked with dreadful conditions, it’s often no cause for worry.
A swollen belly is usually a result of some common issues or mild ailments. Eating too fast can cause swollen tummies in dogs due to swallowing too much air. Dogs can also get a swollen belly if they have worms, which is quite common in pups.
If a swollen belly results from these two issues, there’s no need for worry as this can be quickly sorted by a trip to the vet or using dewormers.
However, a swollen tummy accompanied by other symptoms like unending tiredness and loss of appetite indicates a more severe issue that needs to be addressed. If you feel it’s a sign of grave concern, immediately consult your vet.
Also see our article Why Your Dog’s Diet May Be Making Them Tired and Cranky
Rapid breathing and panting
At times, a dog’s rapid breathing may turn into panting. It doesn’t necessarily indicate the presence of a severe condition. You should figure out if it’s something to worry about using simple logic.
After a play session, your dog may pant and breathe rapidly. Which implies that it’s most likely just catching its breath. Panting could indicate that it’s trying to cool down, but you may fail to notice if you’ve set the thermostat to your preference. However, if you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, be sure to consult your vet.
When additional negative symptoms follow your little furry friend’s panting and rapid breathing, there’s a reason to worry. Take your dog to a vet immediately, and you notice your dog vomiting, refusing to eat, or showing signs of lethargy in addition to painting.
Rapid breathing and breed
Some dogs are prone to rapid breathing due to their breed. Frenchies are brachycephalic dogs. It simply means that they have a flat face and a shorter snout which causes the airway to be shorter.
As such, all the parts that make up their airways are pushed closer together. Due to this structure, Frenchies experience fast breathing while sleeping.
However, you should be able to differentiate between brachycephalic dogs’ breathing and other severe conditions. If the breathing difficulties seem to prevent your dog from sleeping, schedule an appointment with your vet, as this may indicate a more severe ailment.
The breathing pattern in large dogs also differs from that of small dogs. Generally, small dogs, on average, breathe faster than large dogs. In addition, their rapid eye movement is shorter and a lot more intense.
Don’t fret- it’s likely a non-issue.
Although rapid breathing may indicate a medical issue, these are rare and exceptional rather than the rule. You probably won’t have anything to worry about if you notice your little Frenchie breathing rapidly.
As such, there’s no need to panic if you catch your furry companion breathing rapidly in the middle of his slumber despite his kicking and noise making at the same time.
Understand that this is part of puppy life, and unless other symptoms point to something serious, you should simply rest easy.
What to do if your puppy is breathing fast?
Here is what to do if your puppy is breathing fast:
Do nothing
If your dog is breathing fast in his sleep, it’s because it’s dreaming. In this case, there’s nothing to worry about. Hence, you won’t need to do anything.
Eliminate the source of stress
If rapid breathing is caused by stress in your dog, the best thing to do would be to remove whatever is causing the anxiety or move your puppy to where it won’t affect them.
Ensure your puppy is well hydrated
Dehydration can cause a lot of stress in a dog’s body. It’s therefore essential to keep your dog well hydrated to prevent rapid breathing.
Take your dog to a cool place.
If your dog is panting after a vigorous exercise or after a sunny walk, take it to a cool place for it to relax and cool off.
Visit your vet
When your pup has other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite, in addition to fast breathing, it’s essential to get it checked by a vet as soon as possible.
This is important since, at times, rapid breathing could indicate a more serious medical condition.
You can have a check-up to clear any doubts you may have, even if your dog seems healthy. Isn’t it better to be sure?
Why is my puppy panting at night?
If your puppy is panting at night, it is most likely because it’s dreaming. As such, you need not worry as this is entirely normal and part of growing.
When should I worry about dog panting?
When your dog’s panting is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite, it could be a sign of a severe medical condition, hence a cause for worry.
Why are my puppies panting?
There are various reasons why your puppies may be panting. It could be because they are dreaming, stressed, from a play session and trying to catch some air, or due to some medical conditions.
What are the signs of respiratory distress in a dog?
Rapid breathing/ continuous panting, standing with elbows pointed outwards and neck extended, long drawn out breathing, abnormal chest/ abdomen movement while breathing, blue gums, and collapse may indicate respiratory distress in dogs.
What is temp too hot for dogs?
It depends on factors like age and the condition of a dog, outside temperatures beyond 80 degrees accompanied by 90% humidity are too hot for dogs.
Final Thoughts
It can be pretty scary for you to see your Frenchie puppies breathing fast as a pet parent. But, this is mostly no cause for concern as it’s perfectly normal.
However, be on the lookout if fast breathing is persistent and accompanied by difficult breathing and other symptoms, as this may point to a severe medical condition. In this case, have your companion examined by a vet to rule out any other issue.
So, there you have it, everything you need to know about fast breathing in French bulldog puppies. Don’t freak out the next time you see your little buddy doing this.
Happy parenting!