Panting is a dog’s natural way of cooling themselves. Dogs pant when they are too hot or excited, and for vocalization purposes.
It’s not uncommon for a Jack Russell to pant excessively in the sun, because dogs can only regulate their body temperature by panting or sweating through their feet and pads.
Why is my Jack Russell panting excessively?
Your Jack Russell may be panting excessively if he is scared, stressed, anxious, or is suffering from heatstroke. In rarer cases, he might have ingested something that’s making him feel sick or uncomfortable, such as an object or food substance. Older Jack Russells may be panting excessively due to joint pain which is caused by Arthritis.
If your Jack Russell does appear sick in any way, you should take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
How do I know if my Jack Russell is panting too much?
If your Jack Russell is panting, and you’ve established that it is not caused by stress, anxiety, or heatstroke, then he might be panting due to an illness.
He will then be panting excessively too much and show the following symptoms.
1.) Stomach rumblings and growling
A Jack Russell that is panting excessively might have a problem with his digestive system. Your dog may be suffering from an illness or infection in the stomach or intestines, which could be caused by an imbalance in the bacteria population in the dog’s tummy.
If your dog is suffering from this common illness, you should take him to your veterinarian immediately.
2.) Frequent vomiting
A Jack Russell with frequent vomiting may be suffering from an illness that is affecting the stomach, intestines, or even the pancreas.
3.) Diarrhea or dehydration
Dogs with diarrhea may appear to pant excessively due to the loss of water. In severe cases of dehydration in dogs, they may appear as if they are panting excessively due to overheating. They will start panting more due to how hot they feel in their bodies.
4.) Complex partial seizure
If your Jack Russell is suffering from a complex partial seizure, he may appear to pant excessively due to the effects of the seizure.
How do you stop a dog from panting?
If you own a Jack Russell, you probably know that this breed is prone to excessive panting. As stated above, this is part of a Jack Russell’s normal behavior.
There are a few things you can try to calm him down once you’ve established that he is not ill.
1.) Gently rub and massage his belly
A Jack Russell loves to feel your touch and you can use this to your advantage. When you notice that your dog is panting too much, gently rub his belly. He will feel more relaxed as a result. This is one of the best things you can do to calm down a Jack Russell.
2.) Talk to him softly
You might not believe it but dogs respond to the tone of your voice more than anything else. That’s why yelling at him when he does something wrong will only make him behave worse.
It is always better to talk to your dog softly and in a comforting manner as this will make him feel relaxed and calmer. Panting dogs will always respond positively when they are spoken to in soothing tones.
3.) Keep him away from children or other pets
If your Jack Russell is anxious because he’s afraid of children or other pets, then you should keep him away from them. Unfortunately, you can’t force your Jack Russell to be friends with other pets or children he doesn’t like.
4.) Cause a distraction
If your Jack Russell is scared of loud noises, such as fireworks or thunder, put some music on or even the tv. This should neutralize the noises that are scaring him.
If none of the above-mentioned tips help, if your dog appears to be panting excessively for no apparent reason or has other symptoms such as fever or lethargy, you should see your veterinarian immediately to rule out any possible underlying problems.
Do Jack Russells have breathing problems?
No, Jack Russells do not have breathing problems. A Jack Russell Terrier is a small, energetic dog, and as such, they do not usually have any respiratory issues.
However, it is possible for them to suffer from a breathing problem if they are exposed to some toxic substance or if they develop a respiratory condition.
This is out of the ordinary however and in most cases, it will be the result of some unfortunate accident where your pup might have entered into contact with something toxic and might be suffering from an allergic reaction or chemical burn.
When your Jack Russell experiences this kind of situation you should take him to the vet as soon as possible in order to help flush his system and reduce his symptoms.
Conclusion
Excessive panting may be caused if your Jack Russell has ingested something that’s making them feel sick or uncomfortable, such as an object, food substance, etc.
In some cases, excessive panting may be an indication of something more serious like respiratory disease (i.e., bronchitis) or congestive heart failure (CHF).
In these cases, you should visit your veterinarian for further diagnosis and treatment options to ensure that your pup has a long healthy life.
