Picture this: you’re cuddled up with your furry friend, enjoying a relaxing evening together, when suddenly you notice that your Goldendoodle is breathing fast.
You start to worry—is something wrong? Could it be a health issue, or just a temporary reaction to something in the environment?
As a Goldendoodle owner, it’s important to understand your dog’s breathing patterns and what they might indicate. Heavy breathing in dogs, also called tachypnoea, is a concerning symptom that can send loving owners into a frenzy. If your Goldendoodle starts breathing faster than usual, it could be a symptom of something straightforward like anxiety or allergies, to a more serious issue that requires immediate medical attention, such as heart failure.
In this blog, we’ll explore why your Goldendoodle might be breathing fast, what you can do to prevent breathing issues, and how to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. So don’t panic; let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Causes of Heavy Breathing in Goldendoodles
There are many causes of fast breathing in Goldendoodles – some serious and some mild. Here are some of the most common reasons your dog might be breathing harder than normal:
Allergies and asthma
Just like humans, Doodles can suffer from allergies and asthma, causing their airways to become inflamed. If you suspect your Goldendoodle has allergies or asthma, look out for accompanying symptoms like heavy panting, coughing, sneezing and wheezing.
Additional symptoms of allergies include frequent licking of the paws and persistent ear infections. Your Goldendoodle’s allergies could be caused by insects, plants, or mold, but this breed is quite susceptible to allergies to beef, chicken, and lamb. So, watch out for a reaction after mealtimes, especially if you’re trying a new food brand.
Heat stroke & temperature regulation
Is your Goldendoodle breathing heavily on a hot day? Just like any other dog breed, Goldendoodles are susceptible to heat stroke when temperatures soar outside.
If it’s peak summer and your pooch has spent a lot of time outdoors, they could just be breathing quickly to cool themselves down. If you’ve just been for a long walk on a hot day and the heavy breathing is accompanied by other signs like drooling, a dry nose, a high body temperature, and a rapid heart rate, your dog could be suffering from heat exhaustion.
Anxiety and stress
No matter how hard we try to put their needs first, Goldendoodles can experience stress which puts a strain on their health and breathing. Loud noises, new environments and separation anxiety from their owners are just some of the reasons Doodles can experience stress.
So how can you tell if your pup is feeling stressed?
If you notice excessive pacing, whining, and shaking along with the fast breathing, you could have a stressed doggy on your hands. If your Doodle’s breathing returns to normal after the stressful situation is over, you’ll know for sure that was the cause.
Obesity
Being overweight puts a physical strain on your Goldendoodle’s red blood cells, lungs, and the rest of their body. Dogs are generally considered obese if they lack curvature from their chest to their stomach; you should ideally be able to feel your dog’s ribs without seeing them.
If left untreated, obesity can cause an increased breathing rate, other breathing issues, and can even be life-threatening.
Poisonous food
On the topic of eating, your dog’s fast breathing could be caused by eating poisonous food. From antifreeze to onions, there are many things your Groodle shouldn’t eat. It’s best to have a vet assess your dog’s condition immediately if you suspect they’ve injested something they shouldn’t have – in severe cases of poisioning you’ll need to act fast.
Heart problems
Goldendoodles with heart problems might breathe faster to get more oxygen to the rest of their body. Heart issues such as congestive heart failure are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as a lack of energy, reduced appetite, sudden weight loss or gain, and a swollen belly area.
A heart rate of 120-160 is considered normal in Mini Goldendoodles and puppies, while a heart rate between 60-120 is average for Standard Goldendoodles. If you suspect your dog may be experiencing heart issues, take them to the vet immediately to get checked out.
Other illnesses that may cause faster breathing include Cushing’s disease and anemia.
Dreaming
Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat with your heart racing, breathing faster than if you’d just ran a marathon? It might be surprising to learn, but the exact same can happen to your Doodle! That’s right, your pup might be dreaming about chasing that squirrel in the park! As long as they look happy and healthy and it doesn’t happen every night, there’s nothign to be concerned about.
What to do if your Goldendoodle is Breathing Heavily
Your dog’s breathing difficulties might not be cause for concern – here’s what to do to avoid unnecessary panic.
Observe your dog and look for further symptoms
Watch your dog for 10 to 20 minutes to monitor their breathing rate and check for further signs of illness. Check your pup for pale gums and assess your dog’s body for any painful areas. If your dog is coughing or sneezing as well as breathing rapidly, they could be experiencing allergies.
Try to count your dog’s breaths per minute so you can see if things are improving or not.
Change your dog’s environment
If you think your Doodle has heat stroke, take them into the shade, offer fresh water, and let them rest.
If symptoms occur at a specific time of year, dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants may be upsetting your dog’s breathing. If you can’t remove the allergen, speak to your vet to see what treatment options are available to keep your dog comfortable year-round.
Seek veterinarian care
If there’s nothing obvious causing your Goldendoodle’s heavy breathing and it doesn’t stop within 10-20 minutes, it’s time to call your vet. They’ll give you an accurate diagnosis and recommend the correct course of action – it’s much safer than trying to guess what might be wrong.
How to Prevent your Goldendoodle from Having Breathing Issues
While you can’t guarantee your dog will never get ill, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your Doodle developing breathing difficulties:
Regular exercise
While excessive exercise can be the cause of your Doodle’s rapid breathing, regular walks and playtime are one of the best ways to prevent serious health conditions from developing.
Goldendoodles are an energetic breed – they need up to 2 hours of exercise every day! Doing so will lower the risk of obesity and heart conditions (and it’s good for you, too!).
Healthy diet
Like all dogs, Goldendoodles require a balanced and healthy diet that consists of lots of protein. Good nutrition can strengthen your dog’s immune system while making sure they stay within a healthy weight range.
Hydration
Dogs can experience dehydration from excessive exercise, anxiety, or from simply not having access to drinking water. Avoid exercising your dog in very hot weather conditions, as excessive panting or drooling causes further dehydration which in turn leads to breathing difficulties.
Keep your environment clean
Keeping your home clean means you are preventing dust, dander, mold, and other pollutants from building up in your environment. Vacuum your carpets, floors, and furniture frequently – we all know how messy our homes can get when there’s a dog around!
Avoid extreme temperatures
Goldendoodles can’t regulate their body temperature as well as we can, so owners must keep them cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather.
To prevent your Goldendoodle from having breathing issues due to extreme temperatures, make sure they always have access to shade, fresh water, and a cool place to rest. Avoid exercising them during the hottest part of the day, and never leave your dog in the car – we’ve all seen horror stories of how hot cars can get compared to the outside temperature.
Use a harness instead of a collar
Using a collar to walk your Goldendoodle can put pressure on their neck and throat when they pull, worsening any breathing issues they may already have. Instead, we suggest using a harness that distributes the pressure more evenly across their body. It should fit snugly without being too tight. A front-clip harness can be especially helpful in preventing pulling and providing additional control during walks.
Ensure your dog is happy
As stress can cause breathing issues, make sure you avoid anything that’s likely to trigger a nervous dog. Avoid leaving them alone for too long, and be careful when introducing new pets into the household.
Go for regular veterinary check-ups
Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for identifying and treating any underlying health issues that could be causing your Goldendoodle’s breathing issues. Your vet will help you develop a plan for preventing future issues and controlling any existing ones.
Heavy Breathing vs Normal Panting in Goldendoodles
Before you start to panic about your Goldendoodle breathing heavily, you’ll need to know what’s normal for them. Remember, all dogs are different, but their usual breathing rate can be anything from 15-40 breaths per minute. Of course, it will naturally be a bit higher if they’ve been moving around a lot.
Then you’ve got to consider your dog’s regular panting after exerting themselves or during warm weather. Again, all dogs are different, so it’s best to use your judgment as to what’s normal for your dog and what isn’t.
If the fast breathing isn’t accompanied by any other signs then there’s probably nothing to worry about. It’s likely that your dog has just had a particularly hard workout (we all know that feeling!). However, it’s time for a check-up with the vet if your Doodle is tiring quicker than normal during playtime or has other symptoms of illness. Don’t forget to check out our homepage for more advice on caring for your doggo.
FAQs
Is it normal for my Goldendoodle to breathe fast?
Fast breathing can be normal in Goldendoodles – but it all depends on the circumstances. If your Goldendoodle is breathing faster after a run around the park, there’s nothing to worry about. If they suddenly start breathing heavily when they’re resting however, there could be something more serious happening.
Why is my Goldendoodle puppy breathing heavily?
It’s normal for puppies to breathe fast when they’re trying to cool themselves down. Their panting isn’t as efficient as adult Goldendoodles’, so you might see them panting harder when temperatures soar. If your pup displays other signs of illness or is panting excessively despite not having exercised recently (and it’s not a hot day), seek help from your vet urgently.