If your Husky has been panting a lot, it is probably quite concerning for you. This post will try to help you figure out why it might be doing it and what you can do about it.
So, why does my Husky pant a lot? Huskies are a reasonably large and active breed so it is normal for them to pant more than others. However, it could also be due to heatstroke, fear, a heart problem, an allergic reaction or that it has just done a lot of exercise.
There are a number of nuances to consider when trying to figure out why it might be happening. Once you have a good idea of the cause, it will become easier to deal with it.
Causes of a Husky panting a lot
Each of the different reasons that your Husky has been panting a lot will likely come with some clues.
Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your Husky might be doing it and what would make them more likely.
It has heatstroke
The reason that your Husky has been panting a lot could be that it has heatstroke. This would be more likely if it has been out in the sun for a while and it is hot outside. It would also be more likely if it has been showing other signs of heatstroke such as diarrhea, vomiting and seizures.
In this case, it would be important to follow the advice detailed in this article.
It is too hot
It could be the case that it does not have heatstroke but it is too hot. This would be more likely if the weather is hot or if the temperature indoors is high. In this case, it would help to give your Husky access to lots of shaded areas, a cool room and access to water.
Fear
The reason that it has been panting a lot could be that it is frightened of something. This would be more likely if it tends to do it when a certain person is around that it doesn’t like or if there are things such as construction works or thunder and lightning outside.
In this case, it would help to try to calm your Husky down by giving it positive attention. It would also help to try to do desensitization training if a certain noise is scaring it.
It has a heart-problem
The cause could be that it has a heart problem. This would be more likely if it has been panting a lot suddenly, it pants heavily constantly and it does it when it shouldn’t be such as when it hasn’t just been running around.
If you think that this is the reason then it would likely be worthwhile for you to take your Husky to the vet.
Illness or injury
Illness or injury could also be causing it to be panting a lot. This would be more likely if it has been showing other signs of being ill or injured and if it has been panting a lot when there is no other obvious reason for it to be panting.
Again, in this case, it would be helpful to take it to a vet.
Allergic reaction to something
It could also be the case that it has had an allergic reaction to something. This would be more likely if it recently ate or interacted with something that it shouldn’t have. It would also be more likely if it has been showing other signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling, vomiting, seizures or sneezing a lot.
If it does seem to be due to an allergic reaction then it would be important to take it to a vet.
Exercise
Huskies are a very active breed and a common reason for them to be panting a lot is that they have been doing a lot of exercise. If your Husky has just been running around and it is panting a lot then it is likely to be due to that.
Related: Why does my dog place its paw on me when I sit down?
Excitement
Another possible reason that it might pant a lot is that it is excited. This would be more likely if it does it in situations such as when it is greeting you, playing or when you are about to take it for a walk.
Related: Why is my husky lazy?
When panting a lot is normal
There are a number of situations where panting a lot is not unusual that I will mention below.
It is hot
If it pants more than usual when it is hot outside then this would be a normal time for a Husky to pant a lot. However, if it has been out in the sun for a long time and it has started panting a lot more than usual then this would be a sign of heatstroke and you should cool it down and take it to a vet.
It has just been running
If your Husky has just been running around then it is likely to be the reason that it is panting a lot. However, if it does not stop panting rapidly after a few hours then it would be more of a cause for concern.
It is excited
Excitement is a common reason for them to pant a lot. If yours tends to pant more when it is excited then it would be normal behavior.
It is acting normally otherwise
If your Husky has been acting normally otherwise and it has not been showing other signs of things such as illness, injury or heat stroke then it would also make it more likely to be normal.
However, if the panting is very heavy and it has not stopped then it would still be important to take it to a vet.
How to tell if it is abnormal
There are many situations where excessive panting would be a sign of a more serious issue.
It started to pant suddenly when it is not hot, excited or after running
If it has started to pant a lot and it is not excited, hot outside and it has not just been running around then it would make it more likely to be due to things such as illness, injury or a heart issue.
It pants when you are about to leave
If your Husky tends to pant a lot when you are about to leave then it could be the case that it has separation anxiety. Which is where it does not like being left without you and being left alone causes it to become anxious.
This would be more likely if it shows other signs of being anxious when you are leaving such as pacing, crying to being destructive.
The panting is constant and intense
If your Husky has not stopped panting and it has been constant and intense then it would make it more likely to be due to a health issue. In this case, it would be important to have a vet take a look at it.
Your Husky’s tongue or gums appear blue, purple or white
If your Husky’s tongue or gums have suddenly become blue, purple or white then it would make it more likely to be due to a health issue and it would be important to take it to a vet.
It is behaving abnormally
If your Husky started to act differently at around the same time that it started to pant excessively then it would also be a sign of a more serious issue and it would help to take it to a vet.
Things you can do
There are a number of things that you can do about your Husky panting a lot. The best option for your dog will largely depend on the cause of it doing it.
Below, I will mention a number of things that you can do about it.
Go to a vet if you think that the panting is abnormal
If your Husky’s panting appears to be abnormal, you can’t figure out why it is doing it, the heavy panting has not stopped or it seems to have heatstroke or an allergic reaction then it would be important to take it to a vet.
Remove its undercoat
If your weather has become hotter then it would help to cool your Husky down by removing its undercoat with the use of a de-shedding brush.
It might also be tempting for you to shave your Husky’s fur. However, it is strongly recommended that you avoid doing so since it can increase the chances of it getting heatstroke.
Give it access to shade and cool areas
It would also help to make sure that your Husky has access to cool and shaded areas and that it has access to water. It would also help to avoid walking it during the daytime if the weather is hot. Instead, it would be better to walk it in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
Give it exercise on a daily basis
If your Husky is not currently getting much exercise then it would be important to make sure that it does. Generally, it is recommended for them to get an hour of exercise per day. When they do not get that much exercise it can cause them to develop health issues and it could be contributing to yours panting a lot.