5 Reasons Why Dogs Pant in the Car
Fear
Dogs pant when they feel anxious, and many dogs are anxious about car rides. Dogs experience anxiety and fear in a dramatic way. Some signs of anxiety are obvious, like when your dog paces around during a thunderstorm. Other signs are more benign, like panting.
Dogs who aren’t used to car rides will exhibit panting behaviour because they are unsure of what to expect. The experience of seeing and hearing new sights and sounds is both exhilarating and scary for them, and they don’t know how to cope with it.
Even the calmest dog can become a ball of nerves inside a vehicle! Here are some other signs of anxiety to watch for:
- Drooling
- Destructive Behavior
- Depression
- Excessive Barking
- Pacing
- Restlessness
- Repetitive behaviours
- Aggression
What to do about it
- Be relaxed with your dog while you’re in the car. Take your time to reassure them there’s nothing to be afraid of. Let them explore and smell the car while it’s not moving.
- Try not to make jarring or sudden movements that could further scare your dog.
- If your dog seems nervous, don’t get frustrated or yell. This will only make your dog more fearful.
- Encourage your dog to think of the car as a happy place by using praise and treats. Positive reinforcement is the key to resolving anxious behaviour in dogs.
Discomfort
Panting in the car can be a sign that your dog is uncomfortable. Car seats aren’t exactly made for dogs. Large dogs can have a particularly hard time getting comfortable or sitting up properly in the car.
The frustration of not being able to get comfortable or curl up could be causing your dog’s panting.
What to do about it
- Give your dog a comfortable spot to rest inside the car. If you have an SUV with a cargo area, the space in the back is a great place to let your dog stretch out.
- If you have a smaller car, consider letting your dog travel in their crate to feel safe and comfortable.
- Restricting movement forces dogs into a seated position and keeps them safer during travel. You can do this by attaching a seatbelt harness to keep your dog still.
Motion Sickness
Panting in the car can be an indicator that your dog is suffering from motion sickness. Many dogs get sick in the vehicle, and without fresh air, this results in them vomiting on your seats.
Puppies are affected by motion sickness worse than most adult dogs, but not all dogs grow out of it. Unfortunately, you can’t prevent your dog from getting sick in the car altogether.
What to do about it
- Motion sickness in dogs is often a result of losing balance and eyesight. Pups who are sensitive to car rides may need to adjust slowly to the vehicle’s motion.
- If your dog rides in a carrier, covering it with a blanket to block your dog’s view of the outside world can help prevent sickness.
Overheating
Dogs pant when they’re hot, and it’s a lot easier for them to overheat in a car than it is for us. Not only are dogs always wearing a warm coat, but they also can’t sweat either. Panting is how dogs cool themselves down.
Even on a cool day, a car can heat up very quickly with direct sunlight beating into the windows. If your dog is panting inside the car, it may be a sign that they need to cool off. Heavy panting accompanied by drooling is also an indication that they need a drink.
What to do about it
- Keep your dog cool while riding in the car by turning on the air conditioning.
- Prevent your dog from moving around and getting overheated by using a seatbelt harness or having them ride in a crate.
Bodily Pain
Sometimes panting is an indicator that your dog is in pain. It’s a similar reaction to cringing or grimacing in humans. If you think about it, we have some odd behaviours when we’re in pain too.
Monitoring your dog’s behaviour is the best way to tell whether they are panting due to pain. The panting may happen in waves, or it may look more like laboured breathing. Sometimes dogs in pain pant with their tongue inside their mouth and their eyes closed.
If you can’t determine any physical cause or injury causing your dog’s pain, they’re possibly experiencing an internal problem. An upset stomach, constipation, parasitic infection, or gas can all cause pain.
What to do about it
- If you think your dog is panting in pain, take it as a sign that you need to investigate.
- Unless the pain source is obvious, like a cut on the leg or a missing toenail, your vet is the only one who can properly diagnose your dog and provide relief.
How to Identify Normal Panting in Dogs
How do you tell whether your dog’s panting is normal and when it’s something to worry about? With a bit of observation, your dog will give you some clues to figure it out.
Check your dog’s respiratory rate. A dog’s normal respiratory rate at rest should be somewhere between 10 and 40 breaths per minute. Anything exceeding 40 breaths per minute means they’re panting; however, this is completely normal.
If your dog is panting but there are no other symptoms, they may just be hot. Abnormal panting will be accompanied by other symptoms, like
- Crying
- Whining
- Wheezing
- Whistling
These are signs that your dog’s breathing is laboured, and you should seek assistance you’re your veterinarian.
How Do You Stop a Dog from Panting in the Car?
Whether or not you can stop your dog’s panting depends on the cause. If your dog is panting because of overheating, dehydration, or pain, the solution is simple. Cool your dog down, offer them a drink, or find and relieve the pain source.
If your dog is panting due to discomfort or motion sickness, you can try taking short trips to acclimate your dog to the motion of the car. Moving your dog into a crate or carrier and covering it with a blanket to block their view of moving objects can also help.
Re-training Car Anxiety in Dogs
Fixing anxiety in the car takes time and positive reinforcement training. Start with taking your dog on frequent, short trips. Allow your dog to be anxious, but don’t inadvertently reward the anxious behaviour by constantly giving your dog attention.
Your job is to put your dog in the car like it’s no big deal, get in and drive to your destination. Depending on how anxious your dog is, your first few trips may be short drives around the block. The idea is to stay in the car long enough that your dog starts to relax, at which point you are going to reward your dog with praise, attention, pets, or a treat.
It can take a while to desensitize an anxious dog to ride in the car, so don’t expect a miracle to happen overnight. Make a point to take frequent trips, starting with short distances and gradually increasing the time as your dog gets less anxious. The most important thing is to stay calm and only reward calm, desirable behaviours.
It is important to ignore undesirable anxious behaviours when using positive reinforcement training. We know it’s tempting to try and reassure your dog that they are okay. While this provides comfort to us as owners, it only teaches your dog that feeling scared gets them attention.
It’s also important to note that we are talking about re-directing mild anxiety symptoms like panting or restlessness. If your dog is experiencing high-level anxiety accompanied by aggression or is obviously very stressed, it is best to consult a professional for help.
There are numerous dog trainers who are experienced in dealing with dog anxiety who can help. In some cases, dogs require medication to cope with their anxiety. If this is a concern for your dog, speak with your veterinarian to develop a care plan.
Conclusion
Panting in the car can be perfectly normal behaviour, but it can also be a sign that your dog is nervous, uncomfortable, or feeling sick. If your dog is panting in the car consistently, it’s an excellent cue to pay attention to what’s going on. This will help keep your pup happy and healthy!
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