Dog Breathing Fast While Sleeping: When to Call Your Vet

By Tonya Wilhelm

ℹ️ This page is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always contact your own vet about your dog, and follow the numbers your vet gives you.

Is it normal for my dog to breathe fast while sleeping?

Sometimes, yes. Dogs dream, and a dreaming dog may twitch, paddle his feet, and breathe in quick little bursts for a short stretch. That passes on its own once the dream is over.

What matters is the steady breathing once he is deep asleep or resting quietly. A count that stays high, or that creeps up over days and weeks, is worth writing down and sharing with your vet.

Why does fast breathing at rest matter so much?

Fast breathing at rest can be one of the earliest things you notice at home when the heart is having a harder time. With mitral valve disease (MVD), the valve slowly wears down and starts to leak, so a little blood slips backward with each beat. Over time the heart works harder and grows larger, and in the later stages that can lead to fluid in the lungs. Breathing faster at rest is one way the body shows it.

Dexter's cardiologist told me most dogs look fine while heart disease is developing. The coughing, the heavy breathing, and the tired body tend to show up late. That is why the quiet number you can count at home carries so much weight.

How do I count my dog's breathing rate while he sleeps?

Here is how I do it.

1. Wait until your dog is sound asleep or resting quietly, not right after play, a walk, or a warm car ride.
2. Watch his chest or belly. One rise and one fall counts as one breath.
3. Count for a full 60 seconds.
4. Write down the number, the time, and anything that seemed different that day.
5. Repeat on other days so you know his usual number before you ever need it.

What is a normal heart rate for dogs?

A grown dog's normal resting heart rate is about 70 to 120 beats per minute, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Here are both numbers in one place.

How do I check my dog's heart rate?

1. Wait until he is lying down and resting.
2. Put your hand flat on the left side of his chest, just behind his front leg. If you can't feel it there, try high up on the inside of his back leg.
3. Count the beats for 15 seconds.
4. Multiply that number by 4. If you counted 25, his heart rate is 100 beats per minute.
5. Write it down with the date, just like his breathing.

When should I call the vet?

Call your vet if the resting count is over 30 breaths a minute, or if his usual number is slowly climbing. If your dog already has a murmur or an MVD diagnosis, don't wait on it. Call right away.

Call right away if you also see any of these:

• Labored breathing while he rests.
• A new cough that sticks around. Dexter's cardiologist told me a little cough here and there happens to everyone, but a new cough that stays is not normal.
• Not wanting to eat, or less energy on walks than he usually has.
• Gums or tongue that look pale or bluish. That is an emergency, so call your vet or an emergency vet right away.

Is breathing fast while sleeping more worrying in some breeds?

Any dog can develop MVD, but Dexter's cardiologist told me virtually all small breeds are commonly seen. Cavaliers top the list, and he also named Chihuahuas, miniature poodles, terriers, dachshunds, whippets, and Shih Tzus.

Start counting his sleeping breaths now, while he is healthy, so you have his normal number to compare to later. I suggest this for every Cavalier, and for any small breed.

How can I keep track of my dog's breathing and heart rate?

When I first started managing Dexter's Chiari, I tracked everything on paper and on the computer, and I was always running around trying to figure out what was going on. That is a big part of why I built the Chiari malformation and MVD Health Tracker.

Let the app do the counting for you.

Chiari malformation and MVD Health Tracker

• Tap the screen once for each breath. After 60 seconds, it shows his breaths per minute.
• If the count is over 30, it reminds you to contact your vet.
• Every count is saved with the date, so you can see his normal number and spot a change early.
• A 15 second heart count, plus his coughs and how he did on walks, all in one place.
• Turn it all into a report to print or email to your vet before the appointment.

Try it free for 7 days

Free 7 day trial. No card needed.

You know his breathing better than anyone. Counting it on a quiet night is one of the kindest things you can do for his heart.

▶ Play the video

If you want the full picture on MVD, read my guide.