Labradors are naturally energetic dogs and love exercise. It can be concerning for owners when they pant excessively after exercise.
Below are 12 common causes for a labrador’s excessive panting after exercise:
- Overexertion
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Your labrador is very old or young
- Respiratory issues
- Medication
- Your labrador is overweight or obese
- Anemia
- Heart problems
- Poisoning
- Cushing’s Disease
- Pain or injury
- Anxiety or stress
This article will discuss these causes in greater detail. Let’s get started!
1. Overexertion
Labradors are working dogs, are naturally energetic, and enjoy being active, but they can sometimes overexert themselves.
Most labradors need around two hours of exercise a day. If your labrador has been on a long run or walk and has had a long play session, he may have overexerted himself, resulting in excessive panting.
If you keep your labrador indoors most of the time and only take him for a short walk each day, he may have a low fitness level. Low fitness levels can also lead to overexertion, causing your labrador to pant with exhaustion after only a short walk or run.
2. Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
When taking your labrador outdoors on hot days, it’s essential to keep him hydrated and not expose him to too much direct sunlight.
Although labradors will happily go outside in any weather, you should avoid taking your dog out for too long when the temperature is 90° F (32° C) or above, and the humidity is over 20%.
Labradors have thick fur with an undercoat, making it challenging to keep cool in hot weather. They often start shedding fur when they feel too hot, a key sign of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
However, one of the most common signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke is heavy panting, especially after exercise.
3. Your Labrador Is Very Old or Young
Heavy panting after intense exercise is not common in labradors. It is, however, common in senior (or geriatric) dogs and puppies.
Senior labradors (i.e., seven years and older) lose stamina as they age and need shorter and less intense exercise sessions. Your older labrador might pant heavily after exercise, which is not normally cause for concern, but it’s always worth checking with your vet.
Puppies have a faster breathing rate than adult dogs. When they pant after exercise, it can seem as if they are panting excessively, but it is typically a standard after-exercise cooling mechanism.
4. Respiratory Issues
Several respiratory diseases can cause excessive panting in labradors. Since many respiratory conditions involve fluid in the lungs and breathing difficulties, the labrador must breathe more heavily to take in the same amount of oxygen.
Common respiratory conditions causing heavy panting in labradors include:
- Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a bacterial or viral infection that can inflame the lung tissue, making breathing difficult and causing your labrador to pant excessively after exercise.
- Lung cancer. A tumor in the lung can make breathing more challenging for your labrador, sometimes resulting in heavy panting after exercise.
- Kennel cough. Your labrador might pant excessively after exerting himself if he has kennel cough, a common upper respiratory tract infection in dogs.
- Laryngeal paralysis. If your labrador can’t open and close his larynx while breathing, he may have laryngeal paralysis, which causes labored breathing and coughing.
- Chest injuries. Chest injuries can cause the respiratory system to work ineffectively, and your labrador may compensate by panting heavily.
5. Medication
Some medications can cause excessive panting in dogs, notably after exercise.
Panting is a common side effect of steroids, but other medications can cause it, too. It’s worth checking with your vet if your labrador is on medication and you notice an abnormal panting pattern.
6. Your Labrador Is Overweight or Obese
Labradors have friendly, warm, and gentle dispositions, and it’s easy to spoil them with treats.
Unfortunately, labradors can quickly put on weight if they eat too many calorie-rich foods and do not get enough exercise. This can lead to them becoming overweight or obese.
It’s common for obese and overweight labradors to pant heavily after exercise, but it’s a good idea to work with your vet to get your labrador to a healthier weight.
7. Anemia
Iron deficiency causes anemia and is common in malnourished dogs, have recently suffered extreme blood loss, or have worms.
Anemia decreases red blood cell production, and these cells transport oxygen. Your labrador may pant excessively to try to increase his respiration rate to take in more oxygen if he is anemic. Your vet may prescribe iron tablets to help your labrador combat anemia.
8. Heart Problems
The older your labrador, the more susceptible he is to heart problems.
Heart problems cause the heart to stop pumping oxygenated blood effectively around the body. As the tissues become deprived of oxygen, your labrador may try to compensate by panting.
Since exercise causes the tissues to require more oxygen, your labrador might pant excessively during or after intense exercise.
9. Poisoning
Labradors love exploring new places and are naturally curious. Sadly, this inquisitiveness can occasionally lead to poisoning if your labrador has consumed a toxic substance.
A telltale sign of dog poisoning is heavy panting, and if you believe your dog has been poisoned, it’s essential to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
Examples of toxic substances for dogs include:
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Artificial sweeteners
- Cigarettes
- Grapes
Chemicals, human medication, certain mushroom varieties, and peonies are also considered poisonous for dogs.
10. Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease occurs primarily in older labradors and causes the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol, a hormone regulating body weight, skin condition, and muscle tone.
This condition can cause extreme thirst, causing your labrador to pant heavily after exercise.
Thankfully, Cushing’s disease is easy to treat with steroids.
11. Pain or Injury
If your labrador has recently injured himself or is in pain, he may pant excessively after exercise.
Panting is typically one of the first signs of canine pain and could mean that your dog is in distress and trying to distract himself from the discomfort.
Common causes of canine pain include:
- Arthritis in older dogs
- Sprained or a broken leg
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Birthing process
- Internal organ damage
12. Anxiety or Stress
Labradors are gentle and sensitive dogs, and can easily become worried or anxious.
Heavy panting is a common sign of anxiety or stress in dogs. This can be heightened if it is directly after exercise, your labrador’s head is lowered, and his tail is between his legs.
Possible causes of anxiety and stress in labradors are the following:
- New pet or person in the household. Labradors have an excellent sense of their place in a household, and any change (such as a new baby or pet) can make them feel insecure and stressed.
- Absent or new owner. Labradors often have close relationships with their owners, and can easily experience separation anxiety when the owner is absent. Clothing with the owner’s scent can help soothe this anxiety, and your vet may also recommend a pheromone product.
- Being away from home. Staying with a dog sitter, at boarding kennels, or away from home on vacation can make your labrador feel stressed and anxious.
- Illness. Feeling unwell or in pain can induce heavy panting in labradors, which can be exacerbated directly after exercising.
It’s always a good idea to consult your vet if you think your labrador might be feeling anxious or stressed.