Dog Breathing Rate: What's Normal and When to Be Concerned
As a dog owner, you probably know your pet's eating habits, energy level, and favorite sleeping spot by heart. But do you know their resting breathing rate? It's one of the most important — and most overlooked — indicators of your dog's health.
What Is a Normal Breathing Rate for Dogs?
A healthy dog at rest typically breathes between 15 and 30 times per minute. Puppies and smaller breeds tend to breathe slightly faster, while large and giant breeds often breathe a bit slower.
During sleep, many dogs settle into the lower end of this range — around 15 to 20 breaths per minute. This sleeping respiratory rate is especially important to track because it removes variables like excitement, heat, and activity.
Why Does Dog Breathing Rate Matter?
Veterinarians and veterinary cardiologists consider resting respiratory rate one of the earliest warning signs for several serious conditions:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF). Fluid buildup in or around the lungs causes the body to compensate by breathing faster. A resting rate consistently above 30–40 breaths per minute in a dog previously diagnosed with heart disease is often the first detectable sign of decompensation.
- Pneumonia and respiratory infections. Inflammation in the lungs makes gas exchange less efficient, driving the breathing rate up.
- Pain. Dogs in pain often breathe faster even at rest.
- Heatstroke. Elevated breathing rate combined with excessive panting, drooling, and lethargy can indicate a medical emergency.
- Anemia. With fewer red blood cells carrying oxygen, the body increases the breathing rate to compensate.
Many veterinary cardiologists ask owners of dogs with heart conditions to monitor resting or sleeping respiratory rate daily at home. Catching an upward trend early — before symptoms like coughing or lethargy appear — can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
How to Measure Your Dog's Breathing Rate
The best time to measure is when your dog is resting calmly or sleeping. Here's how:
- Watch your dog's chest or belly. Each rise and fall counts as one breath.
- Count for a full 60 seconds. This gives the most accurate result. Shorter intervals introduce more counting error.
- Record the number and the date. Tracking over time is far more useful than a single reading.
- Repeat a few times per week to establish a reliable baseline.
Tip: Counting your dog's breaths while they sleep is ideal, but trying to manage a stopwatch, count without losing track, and write it down at the same time can be frustrating.
A Better Way to Track Your Dog's Breathing
Breaths Per Minute was designed to make this process effortless. While watching your dog breathe, simply tap the screen once per breath. The app handles everything else: it calculates the rate in real time, makes sure you've counted long enough, and saves the result automatically.
Over time, you build a complete history of your dog's respiratory rate — something your vet will genuinely appreciate at the next checkup or if you ever need to call with a concern.
When to Call the Vet
Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of the following:
- Resting breathing rate consistently above 30 breaths per minute in a dog that normally breathes slower.
- A sudden increase in resting respiratory rate compared to your dog's established baseline.
- Labored breathing — visible effort, flared nostrils, or exaggerated belly movement.
- Breathing with the mouth open while at rest (not panting from heat or exercise).
- Blue or pale gums alongside fast breathing — this may indicate a medical emergency.
The key word is consistently. A single elevated reading might just mean your dog was dreaming. A pattern of elevated readings over a day or two warrants a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resting rate consistently above 30 breaths per minute is worth noting. Above 40 breaths per minute at rest is a reason to contact your vet, especially if your dog has a known heart or lung condition.
Short bursts of fast breathing during sleep are usually just your dog dreaming — you might notice twitching paws or quiet whimpering at the same time. If the fast breathing is sustained and your dog appears restless or uncomfortable, measure the rate and consider a vet visit.
No. Panting is not normal respiration. Wait until your dog has stopped panting and is breathing with their mouth closed before measuring.
For healthy dogs, once or twice a week is a good habit. For dogs with heart or lung conditions, most veterinary cardiologists recommend daily monitoring.