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Home Remedies for Dog Difficulty Breathing: What You Should Do
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Breathing is a life-sustaining process no creature can live without. Difficulties with breathing can pose a big health risk or significantly reduce the quality of life. They can also indicate an underlying medical issue. It could be a respiratory infection which could be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic within the dog's respiratory system (from nostrils to the pharynx, trachea, or lung tissue) or could be secondary to a systemic illness such as heart disease leading to congestive heart failure, or Cushing's disease. It is important to take your dog to a vet for proper examination and management if they're having any breathing issues.
Some cases of breathing difficulty can present as emergencies and the difference in survival can be as simple as the few steps you take at home immediately you recognize the situation. Let's take an in-depth look at some home remedies for dog difficulty breathing that can help our furries breathe better before presenting to a veterinary office.
Table of Content
Understanding Dog Breathing Difficulty Providing a Comfortable Environment Natural Remedies for Dog Breathing Difficulty Managing Breathing Emergencies Monitoring Your Dog’s Breathing The Role of Veterinary Care Common Causes of Breathing Difficulty Breathing Difficulty in Senior Dogs When to Seek Emergency Care Conclusion Products Featured In This Blog Related Readings
Understanding Dog Breathing Difficulty
Dog difficulty breathing can be caused by various factors. Aside from the ones mentioned above, obesity can also cause exercise intolerance and difficulty breathing so do keep tabs on your dog's diet and keep them at a healthy weight.
This condition could also be caused by environmental conditions like hot weather, or by allergic reactions to substances like air fresheners, cigarette smoke, scented candles, cleaning products, or other strong smells. The difficulty could also be a result of blockage from inhaling a foreign material such as a small toy. Other causes include collapsed trachea, cancer, or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.
Recognizing early that your dog is having difficulty breathing is essential for quick intervention. Some signs to look out for include:
Rapid breathing
Labored breathing
Open mouth breathing
Wheezing
Heavy breathing
Deep breaths
Excessive sneezing or coughing
Increased thirst
Understanding the underlying causes of breathing difficulty can help you provide the best care for your dog whether it’s a vet emergency or home remedies for dog difficulties can work.
Providing a Comfortable Environment
After recognizing your dog is having breathing difficulty, it is essential to stay calm and help your dog relax as panic can worsen the condition. Keep your dog in a quiet, well-ventilated area to reduce anxiety.
Respiratory distress is ultimately life-threatening, so try to get your dog to a vet as quickly as possible. On the way, you can use a humidifier to soothe any irritation in their airways and relieve congestion—when we add moisture to the air, it becomes more comfortable to breathe.
Dogs at risk of overheating such as older dogs with laryngeal paralysis or brachycephalic dogs should not walk in heat and should also maintain a healthy weight. In the overheating scenario, cooling down (by soaking with cool water) is a sensible first aid, but still see a vet immediately.
Natural Remedies for Dog Breathing Difficulty
Breathing problems in dogs are a serious health issue, and once noticed, it is important to seek a vet's advice first. So while they are great, home remedies for dog difficulty breathing should not be a definitive treatment.
Home remedies for dog difficulty breathing will depend on the underlying cause. If you notice any foreign material in your dog's nose that is adequately within your reach, calm your dog and remove it, but if this proves difficult, take your dog to a vet. Home remedies for dog difficulties won’t work in this case.
Olive leaf extracts contain polyphenols which are strong antioxidants that help to alleviate respiratory issues, soothe irritated airways, and support the overall health of your dog's lungs.
Supplements like Happy-Furever™ CBD Oil also have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and mitigate any allergic reaction.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids for good health and also have anti-inflammatory effects that improve respiratory health. Primal-Vitality™ Beef Organ Complex is rich in these essential fatty acids that keep your pet healthy. It also provides adequate nutrition for your dog to keep a healthy weight.
Herbal medicines like quercetin and Inula helenium have natural antihistamine properties and can also help reduce coughing with their antioxidant properties, but ensure that the herbs have been checked out by a vet to avoid an allergic reaction.
Managing Breathing Emergencies
Emergency management starts with the identification of the problem. As a pet owner, ensure you always keep a close eye on your dog to identify any serious life-threatening conditions such as difficulty when your dog breathes either in or out, trouble breathing when exercising, or labored breathing. Upon identification, keep your dog calm, carry them to a ventilated, clean environment, and immediately call your vet (this is where having your vet's contact information handy becomes necessary).
It is also important to learn basic first-aid techniques to help your dog breathe more easily. First aid can be the determinant of whether your dog survives an emergency or not, so take a course or two on the basics of dog first aid.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Breathing
Monitor your dog’s breathing patterns and watch for signs of distress, such as rapid breathing, dog wheezing, and mouth breathing.
Keep track of your dog’s respiratory rate and seek veterinary care if the resting rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute or if your dog still maintains a high rate long after some physical activity. Any signs different from normal should be noted. The Cardalis app is also a useful respiratory rate monitor, especially for dogs with heart disease.
Check for any deformities on your pet's chest and take note of any other signs like coughing, fever, shaking, etc.
The Role of Veterinary Care
Vets are trained professionals in diagnosing and offering treatment for underlying causes of breathing difficulty which if left untreated can cause chronic injury to the lungs.
Your vet will give emergency care such as supplemental oxygen and if needed, medications to stabilize your dog. They perform diagnostic tests, such as chest X-rays and blood tests, to determine the cause of breathing difficulty. They also have equipment for removing foreign obstructions and can perform surgeries if necessary.
Follow your vet’s instructions for medication and other conventional treatments to ensure your dog's respiratory health improves. Also, check the safety of any home remedies for dog difficulty breathing you want to use.
Common Causes of Breathing Difficulty
Upper airway obstruction e.g. tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, foreign bodies, tumours, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Lower airway obstruction e.g. chronic bronchitis
Lung disease e.g. pneumonia, pulmonary oedema (including due to heart failure), pulmonary cancer, pulmonary contusions (due to trauma), interstitial disease e.g fibrosis or heartworm
Pulmonary thromboembolism (can occur due to heart disease, cushings, heartworm, cancer)
Pleural space disease (abnormal accumulations in the space between the lung and the chest wall) e.g. of fluid or air.
Hyperadrenocorticism – the adrenal glands produce cortisol which in excess can lead to pulmonary (lung) mineralization and respiratory impairment.
Diaphragmatic hernia
Breathing Difficulty in Senior Dogs
Senior dogs are more prone to breathing difficulty due to age-related health issues. For instance, laryngeal paralysis and collapsed trachea are more common in middle-aged to older dogs (Ann Della Maggiore, 2019) than in younger pets.
Monitor your senior dog’s breathing patterns closely and seek veterinary care if you notice any changes. Do not attribute all abnormalities to old age alone as some could be an indication of illness.
Provide a comfortable and calm environment to help your senior dog breathe more easily.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Seek emergency care if your dog is experiencing severe breathing difficulties such as rapid or labored breathing, trouble breathing, or open-mouth breathing.
For dog wheezing, coughing, or other signs of breathing distress, call a vet immediately.
Don’t hesitate to seek emergency care if you suspect a life-threatening emergency.
Even without any obvious symptoms, seek care if you notice your dog is unusually lethargic and breathes slower than usual.
Conclusion
First aid measures and home remedies for dog difficulty breathing can be effective in managing any immediate danger with breathing, but veterinary care is essential for diagnosing and treating underlying causes.
By understanding the signs of breathing difficulty and providing a comfortable environment, you can help your dog breathe more easily and provide home remedies for dog difficulty breathing.
Remember to always seek professional care as soon as possible whether you suspect life-threatening health conditions or not.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
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