Breathing problems is one of the health conditions that dogs owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what breathing problems is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual dog.
Pugs are the focus of this guide. A typical adult Pug weighs 6–8 kg, with a typical lifespan of 13–15 years, and is commonly described as affectionate, playful, lively. Pugs are a flat-faced breed, and their short skull, narrow nostrils, and long soft palate make breathing hard. Breathing problems are the most common health issue in the breed, and they are worse in hot weather and when the dog is overweight. The rest of this guide covers the condition itself — what it is, the signs, the causes, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, and how to live with it — with the breed in mind throughout.
What is breathing problems in dogs?
Breathing problems are a condition where a dog struggles to breathe normally — because its airways are narrow, because it is overweight, because it is hot, or because it has a disease of the lungs or the heart. In flat-faced breeds, such as the French Bulldog and the Pug, breathing problems are often caused by the shape of the head: the nostrils are narrow, the soft palate is long, and the windpipe is narrow, so the dog has to work hard for every breath. Breathing problems are serious, because a dog that cannot breathe well can overheat, collapse, or die — and a dog that is struggling to breathe needs a vet, not waiting.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how breathing problems is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a dog that has it. A dog with breathing problems should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of breathing problems can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The dog ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a dog considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of breathing problems in dogs
The signs of breathing problems in dogs are listed below. Not every dog with breathing problems will show every sign, and some dogs will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A dog that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a dog that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Noisy breathing, snoring, or snorting, even at rest.
- Laboured breathing, with the belly moving hard or the nostrils flaring.
- Exercise intolerance — tiring quickly, or stopping on walks.
- Overheating in warm weather, or panting that does not settle.
- Gagging, retching, or vomiting, especially after eating or drinking.
- Blue or grey gums, or a tongue that looks blue — an emergency.
- Collapse, fainting, or a dog that cannot catch its breath — an emergency.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a dog that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the dog eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your dog is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for breathing problems
In flat-faced breeds, breathing problems are caused by the shape of the head: the skull is short, the nostrils are narrow, the soft palate is long and floppy, and the windpipe is narrow — a combination called brachycephalic airway syndrome. In other dogs, breathing problems can be caused by obesity, which makes the chest heavy and the airways narrow, by heat, which makes the dog pant hard, by an infection, by heart disease, or by a problem in the lungs. Age makes it worse: an older dog with narrow airways will struggle more than a young one, and a dog that is overweight will struggle more than a lean one.
Some dogs are more prone to breathing problems than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a dog of any breed can develop breathing problems. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop breathing problems and will cope better with it if it does. A dog that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop breathing problems and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How breathing problems is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses breathing problems by listening to the dog breathe, by examining the nostrils, mouth, and throat, and by listening to the heart and lungs. The vet may also take an X-ray of the chest, to see the lungs and the heart, and may refer the dog to a specialist to look at the airways with a camera. A dog that is struggling to breathe, that has blue gums, or that has collapsed should be taken to the vet at once, day or night — it is an emergency, and every minute matters.
If you are worried about your dog, see a vet and mention breathing problems by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the dog eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had breathing problems or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose breathing problems yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of breathing problems
Treatment depends on the cause: a dog with narrow nostrils or a long soft palate may need surgery to widen the nostrils or shorten the palate, and a dog that is overweight needs to lose weight, because extra weight makes breathing much harder. A dog that is overheating needs to be cooled down, slowly and gently, and taken to the vet. A dog with an infection needs antibiotics, and a dog with heart disease needs heart medicine. In an emergency, the vet may give oxygen. Do not try to treat breathing problems at home, and do not wait to see if they get better — a dog that cannot breathe well will get worse, not better, on its own.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the dog's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the dog comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the dog must be checked regularly, because breathing problems changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a dog with breathing problems
A dog with breathing problems can live a full and happy life with the right care, but it needs a routine: a healthy weight, a harness instead of a collar, exercise in the cool of the morning or evening, and a cool home in hot weather. The owner must watch breathing, and know the warning signs: noisy breathing that gets worse, panting that does not settle, blue gums, or collapse — all of which mean a vet visit at once. Keep the dog calm, because excitement and stress make breathing harder, and know where the nearest emergency vet is, day and night.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior dog diet guide covers feeding older dogs, and the dog calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Why Pugs are prone to breathing problems
Pugs are a flat-faced breed, and their short skull, narrow nostrils, and long soft palate make breathing hard. Breathing problems are the most common health issue in the breed, and they are worse in hot weather and when the dog is overweight. That does not mean every Pug will develop breathing problems — it means owners of the breed should know the signs, and mention them to the vet early, because breathing problems is easier to manage when it is caught early. A Pug that is kept at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop breathing problems and will cope better with it if it does.
Can breathing problems be prevented?
Breathing problems cannot always be prevented, because much of them is about the shape of the head — but the risk can be reduced a lot. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, because extra weight makes breathing much harder. Keep it cool in hot weather, and do not exercise it hard when it is hot. Use a harness instead of a collar, because a collar presses on the windpipe. If you are buying a puppy of a flat-faced breed, ask about the parents' breathing, and choose a breeder who breeds for health, not for a flat face. Have the vet check the breathing at every routine visit.
Early checks matter most: have the dog checked regularly, so breathing problems is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the dog at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the Pug food guide, the Pug lifespan guide, the dog ideal weight calculator, the dog body condition score chart, the how to tell if your dog is overweight guide, the senior dog diet guide, the dog calorie calculator, the when is a dog considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is breathing problems in dogs?
Breathing problems are a condition where a dog struggles to breathe normally — because its airways are narrow, because it is overweight, because it is hot, or because it has a disease of the lungs or the heart. In flat-faced breeds, such as the French Bulldog and the Pug, breathing problems are often caused by the shape of the head: the nostrils are narrow, the soft palate is long, and the windpipe is narrow, so the dog has to work hard for every breath. Breathing problems are serious, because a dog that cannot breathe well can overheat, collapse, or die — and a dog that is struggling to breathe needs a vet, not waiting.
What are the signs of breathing problems in dogs?
The most common signs are: Noisy breathing, snoring, or snorting, even at rest. Laboured breathing, with the belly moving hard or the nostrils flaring. Exercise intolerance — tiring quickly, or stopping on walks. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes breathing problems in dogs?
In flat-faced breeds, breathing problems are caused by the shape of the head: the skull is short, the nostrils are narrow, the soft palate is long and floppy, and the windpipe is narrow — a combination called brachycephalic airway syndrome. In other dogs, breathing problems can be caused by obesity, which makes the chest heavy and the airways narrow, by heat, which makes the dog pant hard, by an infection, by heart disease, or by a problem in the lungs. Age makes it worse: an older dog with narrow airways will struggle more than a young one, and a dog that is overweight will struggle more than a lean one.
How is breathing problems diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses breathing problems by listening to the dog breathe, by examining the nostrils, mouth, and throat, and by listening to the heart and lungs. The vet may also take an X-ray of the chest, to see the lungs and the heart, and may refer the dog to a specialist to look at the airways with a camera. A dog that is struggling to breathe, that has blue gums, or that has collapsed should be taken to the vet at once, day or night — it is an emergency, and every minute matters.
How is breathing problems treated?
Treatment depends on the cause: a dog with narrow nostrils or a long soft palate may need surgery to widen the nostrils or shorten the palate, and a dog that is overweight needs to lose weight, because extra weight makes breathing much harder. A dog that is overheating needs to be cooled down, slowly and gently, and taken to the vet. A dog with an infection needs antibiotics, and a dog with heart disease needs heart medicine. In an emergency, the vet may give oxygen. Do not try to treat breathing problems at home, and do not wait to see if they get better — a dog that cannot breathe well will get worse, not better, on its own.
When should a dog with breathing problems see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the dog shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the dog cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the dog eats and drinks. A dog with breathing problems should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual dog, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.