Pregnant dogs usually start to pant when the time of birth is approaching. Panting lasts up to 36 hours or until your dog is ready to deliver. Other reasons why pregnant dogs pant includes heat, heart or lung disease, low blood calcium, pain, or agitation.
Planned or not, pregnancy in dogs is a challenging period for both animals and owners.
Pregnancy is not an easy task for the dog’s body. Females need to be in good physical condition to be fertile and to complete the pregnancy and then the lactation.
The first signs of pregnancy in dogs usually appear about 21 days after breeding. It lasts an average of 63 days, and when the moment of birth approaches, your dog will start to pant (among other things).
In this article, you will learn why pregnant dogs pant, how long panting lasts, how to tell if your dog is pregnant, and more.
Why Is My Pregnant Dog Panting?
Pregnant dogs pant for many reasons. The most common cause is labor. The hormonal changes that occur in the female’s body prepare her for birth. Your dog can experience shaking, panting, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
The most common reason for a pregnant dog to pant is that she is going into labor. The moment of birth is approaching.
Panting lasts 12 hours on average. During this time your dog will most likely have other symptoms as well:
These symptoms appear about six hours before birth and last up to 36 hours and continuously increase in intensity. Be there for your dog to help her if she needs it.
During these hours, your dog’s body prepares for birth:
- The cervix dilates.
- Vaginal secretions (cervical mucus) are mildly released for lubrication.
- The first contractions appear.
Once the first contractions appear, the first pup should make its presence felt:[1]
In 3-4 hours if the contractions are weak.
In a maximum of one hour if the contractions are strong.
If your pregnant dog isn’t going into labor, there are other reasons why they pant.
5 Other Reasons Why Pregnant Dogs Pant
Common reasons why pregnant dogs pant include that they are too warm, experiencing hypocalcemia, troubled with a heart or lung disease, or excited.
Pregnant dogs get tired extremely quickly. The puppies represent extra weight for the dogs’ bodies, which they have to carry with them.
Apart from labor, pregnant dogs also pant[2] for other reasons:
- Warm environment
- Excitement
- Pain
- Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood)
- Heart diseases
- Pulmonary diseases
- Cushing’s Disease
Panting can also indicate a problem with the pregnancy.
Warm Environment
Dogs pant when it’s warm. Do the following if this is the case:
- Offer her fresh water at discretion.
- Cool the room.
- Move your dog to a shaded area.
Pain
Severe pain can be accompanied by panting and breathing difficulties. Contact your veterinarian if your pregnant dog is in continuous discomfort.
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia is a condition of low levels of calcium in the body. This can endanger your dog’s life.
If your pregnant dog is experiencing this condition, it is essential to contact a vet.
Hypocalcemia usually occurs in females that have given birth, but it can also occur during pregnancy.
Hypoglycemia during pregnancy is also called pregnancy toxemia. This occurs most frequently in thin and malnourished pregnant dogs.[3]
Pregnant females suffering from hypocalcemia can experience gastrointestinal disorders and convulsions.
Heart and Lung Diseases
The extra weight your dog has to carry puts pressure on the heart and lungs. Dogs that already suffer from heart or lung diseases should not breed. Keep them under close medical supervision as problems can arise.
Dogs with cardiac or respiratory problems have a low tolerance to exercise, which usually leads to panting and breathing difficulties (among other symptoms).
If this is the case with your dog, make sure that she takes her treatment on time. Communicate with your veterinarian whenever you consider it necessary.
Cushing’s Disease
Dogs with Cushing’s produce too much cortisol in the adrenal glands: a steroid hormone that is involved in many processes in the body.
Symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs include the following:[4]
- Excessive panting
- Excessive hunger
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Weight gain
- Swollen abdomen
- Hair loss, especially on the sides of the abdomen
Take your pregnant dog to the vet if she is experiencing these symptoms.
How Long Does Panting Last in Dog Labor?
Panting lasts between 0-36 hours with an average of 6-12 hours. Some dogs give birth easily and without too much effort. For others, it can take up to 36 hours for the first pup to appear. If your dog is exhausted and can no longer manage labor, contact a vet immediately.
When birth approaches, dogs become restless. They start digging, pacing, breathing hard, panting, and shaking.
Some dogs even vomit or refuse to eat.
Once dogs go into labor, they will start panting. This lasts around 6-12 hours, but there are cases when it lasts 36 hours.[5]
Panting usually lasts until the cervix dilates and the female is ready to give birth to her pups.
All symptoms intensify as birth approaches. As for panting, there are two scenarios:
- Mild panting: can take 2-4 hours until the first pup appears.
- Heavy panting: if after 30-60 minutes no pup appears, contact the veterinarian immediately.
What Are the Signs of Labor in Dogs?
Signs of labor in dogs include:
- Panting
- Digging
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Low rectal temperature – usually occurs 8-24 hours before birth.
- Refuses food or eats extremely little
- Vomiting
- Vaginal discharge
- Abdominal contractions
How to Tell if Your Dog Is Pregnant
The signs of pregnancy in puppies take place in the first month. The first visible signs appear on days 21-25. The first abdominal ultrasound should take place here. The puppies will be around 5–8mm in length. Other signs include enlargement of the abdomen, prominent teats, and movement in the belly.
The signs of pregnancy in dogs appear around three weeks after breeding.
Due to hormonal changes, some females experience nausea and vomiting around days 21-25 of pregnancy.
Starting with the 21st day of pregnancy, the veterinarian will be able to see the puppies during the abdominal ultrasound. They will be 5-8 mm long.[6]
Vets can also feel the puppies through palpation, but it is still difficult to establish a diagnosis with this method.
Vaginal discharge appears within a month of breeding.
From the 25th day of pregnancy, the veterinarian can test relaxin (a hormone produced during pregnancy) to confirm the pregnancy.
Another sign is prominent nipples (more erect and pink). This happens due to increased blood supply around days 25-30 of pregnancy.
Around the 40th day of pregnancy, the mammary glands begin to enlarge and a clear discharge can be observed coming from them. Also during this period, the abdomen begins to grow, and the puppies can be observed moving.
The body mass of a pregnant dog increases by 20-55% during this period.
The dog’s behavior also changes. It becomes more docile and friendly towards its owners and more agitated in the presence of other dogs.
| Gestation day | Signs |
| Day 21-25 | Nausea and vomiting in some females. The vet can see the puppies at ultrasound. |
| Day 25-30 | The nipples are prominent, erect, and pink. |
| Day 30 | Vaginal discharge occurs. |
| Day 40 | The mammary glands and the abdomen enlarge. The puppies can be seen moving |
Signs of pregnancy differs from dog to dog and even between pregnancies in the same female.
Make sure you consult your veterinarian along the way. Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about the symptoms your dog is showing.
How Long Does Gestation Last in Dogs?
Gestation in dogs lasts about nine weeks. Females generally give birth 61-65 days after mating. For an experienced eye, the moment of birth becomes obvious a few days before, when the pregnant dog changes its behavior a lot.
FAQs
Does Panting Mean a Dog Is in Labor?
No, panting doesn’t always mean a dog is in labor. Panting also occurs in pregnant dogs for other reasons such as intense heat, excitement, severe pain, heart and lung disease, or Cushing’s disease.
How Long After Heavy Panting Starts Are Puppies Born?
After heavy panting starts, the puppies are born about 30-60 minutes later. Contact your veterinarian if 60 minutes have passed and your dog has not given birth to any puppies. If your dog pants mildly, it can take 2-4 hours until the first pup occurs.
