Why Is My Dog Panting So Much? When Summer Heat Is an Emergency in Burlington

The call comes in a little after two on a sticky afternoon. A worried voice, a dog panting hard in the background, and one simple question: is this normal, or is something wrong?

We hear this a lot on Brant Street once the humidex climbs. Summer in Burlington brings warm, muggy stretches, and panting is usually the first thing owners notice on a hot walk home from Spencer Smith Park.

Most of the time, that panting is just your dog cooling off. Sometimes it is the earliest sign of an emergency.

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association explains that dogs rely on panting to cool off, so heavy panting on a hot day is normal, and Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center puts a normal resting rate at 12 to 30 breaths per minute. The AVMA and Cornell note panting turns into an emergency with heavy drooling, unsteadiness, blue-tinged gums, vomiting, or collapse.

If this is happening right now: the AVMA lists heavy drooling, vomiting, unsteadiness, and collapse among heat-stress signs that need emergency care. Call us at (905) 336-4002 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Outside our hours, our after-hours care page lists the nearest emergency hospital.

Why is my dog panting when it isn’t hot and hasn’t been running around?

Panting is not only about temperature. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center reports that dogs pant during stress, excitement, and exertion, as well as to cool down, so a visitor at the door or a car ride can set it off, and panting with no obvious trigger is always worth a phone call to us.

Excitement is a common one, from a knock at the door to a squirrel on the fence.

Stress and discomfort can look the same. That is why panting that turns up out of nowhere, with no walk and no warm room to explain it, is the kind we like to see in person.

At a visit, our team looks at the whole picture. Our diagnostics help fill in the rest.

How can I tell if my dog is just hot or having heat stroke?

A hot, happy dog pants, drinks, rests in the shade, and settles, while a dog in heat stroke does not settle. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, heat-stroke signs in a dog include skin that is hot to the touch, vomiting, drooling, rapid panting, distress, loss of coordination, and collapse.

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association explains that heat stroke happens when a dog’s body can’t cope with external heat. It can lead to illness, organ failure, and even death, and a pet with heat stroke needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

The table below sorts everyday panting from the breathing that means trouble.

Distress indicators per Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center. When in doubt, treat it as the emergency.

What is a normal breathing rate, and what counts as excessive panting?

A calm resting number gives you a baseline you can use. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center reports that a normal respiratory rate for dogs is 12 to 30 breaths per minute, and that dogs breathe more slowly and deeply at rest, so excessive panting is simply the panting that does not match the moment.

Count the breaths when your dog is asleep or fully relaxed. Watch the chest rise and fall for 30 seconds, then double it.

Excessive panting keeps going long after a walk is over, or it shows up in a cool room. It can also arrive with the distress signs above.

When should I be worried enough to go to the emergency vet?

Some panting can wait for a regular appointment, and some cannot wait at all. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises seeking emergency care for heat-stress warning signs such as anxiousness, excessive panting, restlessness, excessive drooling, unsteadiness, abnormal gum and tongue colour, or collapse.

Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center lists the breathing that signals true respiratory distress. That includes rapid open-mouth breathing, a bluish tinge to the gums and muzzle, abdominal effort while breathing, an extended head and neck, wheezing or snorting sounds, and weakness or collapse.

If you see any of those, do not wait to see whether it passes. Call us first at (905) 336-4002 so we know you are coming.

After hours, head to the nearest hospital on our after-hours care page. When breathing is the problem, our critical care team is set up to act quickly.

What should I do right away if my dog is overheating?

Cooling matters, and how you cool matters just as much. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises cooling an overheated dog gradually with cool (not cold) water, ice packs, wet towels, and fans, never submerging them in cold water, and offering only small amounts of water after they start to cool down.

Get your dog out of the heat first, then wet the coat with cool water and aim a fan at them. Call us on the way in.

Cooling at home is the start, not the finish. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association warns that heat stroke can lead to illness and organ failure, so a dog that overheated still needs an exam to check for damage you cannot see.

Which dogs are most at risk of overheating in a Halton summer?

Some dogs run hot no matter how careful you are. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that dogs with short muzzles that don’t breathe well in the heat, and those with thick or dark coats that trap warm air, are at increased risk, along with young, elderly, and overweight animals.

Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center notes that brachycephalic breeds, meaning short-nosed dogs such as the English bulldog, pug, French bulldog, and Boston terrier, have compressed anatomy that causes breathing difficulty and heat intolerance. It advises minimizing panting by avoiding excessive heat and humidity and controlling activity.

Weight plays a real role too. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that overweight pets and short-nosed breeds have a higher risk of problems with warm-weather exercise, one reason our team talks with owners about nutrition and weight management.

The Merck Veterinary Manual also reports that brachycephalic, obese, and laryngeal-paralysis dogs can develop laryngeal swelling from severe panting during overheating. If your dog fits any of these groups, plan Burlington outings for early morning or after sundown.

Is it too hot to walk my dog on Burlington’s sidewalks?

The air temperature is only half the story. The American Animal Hospital Association reports that a surface can be 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air, so on a sunny 86-degree day asphalt can reach roughly 135 degrees, hot enough to burn a dog’s paws within 60 seconds.

AAHA suggests a quick test: place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, and if you cannot hold it there, it is too hot for paws. If pads do get burned, AAHA lists limping, blisters or redness, and licking at the paws as signs.

AAHA recommends moving off the hot surface, then rinsing with cool (not cold) water, never ice, and contacting your veterinarian.

Halton gives you a clear cue for the worst days. Halton Region explains that Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a Heat Warning when forecast temperatures reach at least 31 degrees Celsius with overnight lows above 20 degrees for 2 days, or the humidex is at least 40 for 2 days.

Halton’s Medical Officer of Health issues an Extended Heat Warning when those conditions hold for at least 3 days. On any heat-warning day, keep walks to grass and off the midday asphalt.

Is it safe to leave my dog in the car for a few minutes on a warm day?

The short answer is no, not even for a quick errand. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that a car’s interior heats about 19 degrees in 10 minutes and 43 degrees in an hour, and that even on a 70-degree day the inside can top 110 degrees.

The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that on an 85-degree day the inside can pass 100 degrees in just 10 minutes and top 120 degrees in about 35 minutes. Cracking the windows makes no difference, per the AVMA.

Halton Region puts it plainly for local families: never leave pets alone in a parked car, and leaving the windows open will not help. So on hot days, a cool floor and fresh water at home beat any car seat.

This article is educational and isn’t veterinary advice or a substitute for an exam. If you’re worried about your pet right now, call us at (905) 336-4002 or your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Summer breathing questions are some of the most common ones we field on Brant Street. If your dog’s panting has you second-guessing, our team is glad to take a look and set your mind at ease.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog panting heavily at night while resting?

Panting at rest, with no heat or exercise to explain it, is worth attention. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center notes that dogs pant during stress and excitement as well as to cool down, so a warm bedroom or anxiety can play a part. If it is new, frequent, or paired with distress signs, call us.

Can excessive panting be a sign of pain, anxiety, or a heart problem?

Panting has many possible drivers beyond heat, which is why an exam helps. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center lists stress and exertion among the reasons dogs pant. Our team checks your dog’s gum colour, heart, lungs, and history to sort out the cause, so panting that does not fit the moment is a good reason to book a visit.

How do I know if my dog’s gums are a bad colour?

Healthy gums are usually pink and moist. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center reports that a bluish tinge to the gums and muzzle signals respiratory distress, and the American Veterinary Medical Association lists abnormal gum and tongue colour among heat-stress signs that need emergency care. If the gums look blue, grey, or very pale, treat it as urgent and call us.

What temperature is too hot to walk my dog in Burlington?

Watch the ground, not just the air. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests pressing the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds, and if you cannot hold it there, it is too hot for paws. On Halton heat-warning days, when the humidex hits at least 40 per Halton Region, skip midday walks and stick to shaded grass.

Are flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs really at higher risk?

Yes. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center notes that short-nosed breeds such as the English bulldog, pug, French bulldog, and Boston terrier have compressed anatomy that causes breathing difficulty and heat intolerance, and advises minimizing panting by avoiding excessive heat and humidity. For these dogs, plan outings for the coolest parts of the day.

My dog cooled down after overheating. Do we still need to come in?

Yes, please still call us. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises cooling an overheated dog gradually and offering only small sips of water once they start to cool. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association warns that heat stroke can lead to organ failure, so a dog that overheated should still be examined. Reach us at (905) 336-4002.

Sources

Veterinary and animal-health organizations

1. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center: Recognizing and Responding to Canine Respiratory Distress. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/recognizing-and-responding-canine-respiratory-distress
2. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/brachycephalic-obstructive-airway-syndrome-boas
3. Merck Veterinary Manual: Protecting Pets During Hot Summer Months. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/news/editorial/2025/05/28/17/27/protecting-pets-during-hot-summer-months
4. Merck Veterinary Manual: Laryngeal Disorders in Animals. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/laryngeal-disorders/laryngeal-disorders-in-animals
5. American Veterinary Medical Association: Warm Weather Pet Safety. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/warm-weather-pet-safety
6. American Veterinary Medical Association: Pets in Vehicles. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pets-vehicles
7. American Animal Hospital Association: Walking on Sunshine, How to Protect Your Pet’s Paws This Summer. https://www.aaha.org/resources/walking-on-sunshine-how-to-protect-your-pets-paws-this-summer/
8. Ontario Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Safety Tips. https://www.ovma.org/petcare/pet-safety-tips

Local and regional public health

1. Halton Region: Heat Warnings. https://www.halton.ca/for-residents/environmental-health/outdoor-air-quality/heat-warnings