Why Is My Dog Squinting When Breathing? What It Could Mean

Observing your dog squinting in connection with laboured or heavy breathing can be unsettling. This combination of signs may have several underlying explanations, ranging from relatively benign situational responses to indicators of more serious health concerns.

Quick Answer

Squinting that occurs alongside heavy or effortful breathing may be linked to pain, anxiety, neurological factors, or respiratory distress. Because this combination can be associated with serious conditions, it is important to observe the full context of your dog's behaviour and consult a veterinarian if the signs persist or worsen.

SYMPTOM TRIAGE Not sure how serious your dog's symptom is? Use our Symptom Triage Tool to get a structured assessment and guidance on next steps.

What This Combination Can Look Like

When a dog squints while breathing noticeably, owners typically describe the dog as keeping the eyes partially or fully closed while taking rapid, shallow, or audibly effortful breaths. The breathing pattern may involve open-mouth panting that seems excessive for the situation, or nostril flaring with each breath. Some dogs may stretch their neck forward in an attempt to open the airway, a posture sometimes called an orthopneic stance.

The squinting may be present on both sides or more pronounced on one side. In some cases, the dog may also exhibit a hunched posture, reluctance to move, or avoidance of being touched around the face, neck, or chest. These additional behavioural cues can help distinguish between a primarily respiratory issue and one that involves pain or systemic illness.

Possible Causes of Squinting with Heavy Breathing

Pain and Discomfort

Pain is one of the most common reasons dogs may squint while breathing with difficulty. Dogs that are experiencing pain, whether from an injury, musculoskeletal issue, or internal condition, often show subtle changes in facial expression, including narrowed eyes or squinting. Squinting in the context of pain is thought to be a protective reflex, similar to the way humans grimace when in discomfort.

If the pain is located in the chest, ribcage, or abdominal area, breathing may become shallow and guarded, meaning the dog takes shorter breaths to avoid expanding the ribcage fully. Conditions that may produce this response include rib fractures, pleuritis (inflammation of the lung lining), and pancreatitis.

Respiratory Distress and Oxygen Deprivation

Respiratory conditions that reduce oxygen exchange can cause a dog to breathe with visible effort. In some cases, hypoxia, or low blood oxygen levels, may lead to neurological signs that include squinting, disorientation, or a dazed expression. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), seen commonly in Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs, can cause chronic breathing difficulty that may be accompanied by facial tension or squinting, particularly during or after exertion.

Other respiratory conditions that may present with this combination include pneumonia, pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), pulmonary thromboembolism, and laryngeal paralysis.

Anxiety and Stress Response

Stress and anxiety can produce both altered breathing patterns and facial tension in dogs. A dog experiencing a panic episode, separation anxiety, or a phobic reaction may pant rapidly, breathe shallowly, and squint or show wide eyes with the whites visible (whale eye). The squinting in this context is associated with the dog's emotional state rather than a physical eye problem.

Situations that may trigger this response include thunderstorms, fireworks, visits to the veterinary clinic, car travel, or introduction to unfamiliar environments or animals.

Neurological Conditions

Certain neurological conditions may affect both the muscles controlling eye movement and the respiratory centres of the brainstem. Conditions such as meningoencephalitis, brain tumours, or cerebrovascular events (stroke) can present with a range of signs that may include squinting, abnormal breathing patterns, facial asymmetry, weakness, or disorientation.

Horner's syndrome, which results from damage to the sympathetic nerve pathway, can cause partial closing of one eye along with other facial signs. While Horner's syndrome itself is not life-threatening, it can be associated with underlying conditions such as middle ear disease or thoracic tumours that may also affect breathing.

Toxin Exposure

Exposure to certain toxins, including organophosphates, pyrethroids, or botulinum toxin, can cause neurological signs that may include squinting and respiratory difficulty. These are urgent situations that require immediate veterinary intervention. If you suspect your dog has been exposed to a toxin, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline without delay.

What to Monitor

When observing your dog, note the following details:

Breathing rate: Count the number of breaths per minute at rest. A normal resting respiratory rate for dogs is typically between 10 and 30 breaths per minute, though small breeds may breathe slightly faster.
Breathing effort: Does the abdomen appear to work hard with each breath (abdominal effort)? Are the nostrils flaring?
Posture: Is the dog standing with an extended neck or reluctant to lie down?
Gum colour: Pink gums are normal. Pale, blue, or grey gums indicate an emergency.
Eye appearance: Note any redness, discharge, swelling, or asymmetry between the eyes.
Timing: Does this occur at rest, after exercise, or in specific situations?
Additional signs: Vomiting, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, or collapse are important context.

What You Can Do at Home

If your dog is squinting and breathing heavily, the most appropriate first step is to reduce environmental stressors. Move the dog to a cool, quiet, well-ventilated space. Avoid placing additional demands on the dog, and allow them to settle in a comfortable position.

Do not attempt to restrain or force the dog into a specific posture, as this may increase anxiety and respiratory effort. If you suspect heat exposure, offer cool (not cold) water and apply cool towels to the paw pads and groin area. If you suspect a toxin exposure, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a veterinary professional.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

You should seek veterinary attention immediately if:

Your dog is struggling to breathe with visible abdominal effort or open-mouth breathing at rest
The gum colour is pale, blue, grey, or bright red
The dog appears disoriented, weak, or unable to stand
Squinting is accompanied by facial asymmetry, drooping, or swelling
The onset is sudden and unexplained
You suspect toxin exposure
The dog has collapsed or is unresponsive

This combination of signs can escalate quickly, and early veterinary assessment is important for the best possible outcome. Do not wait to see if the signs improve on their own if any of the above are present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can panting cause a dog to squint?

Panting itself does not typically cause squinting, but the two can occur together if the dog is experiencing heat, stress, or exertion. If the squinting is mild and resolves once the dog has cooled down or calmed, it may be situational. Persistent squinting alongside panting at rest should be evaluated.

Could my dog be squinting because of a tooth problem?

Yes. Dental pain, particularly from upper tooth root infections or abscesses, can cause squinting on the affected side. Dental issues may also cause the dog to breathe differently, especially if the pain is severe enough to affect jaw movement.

Is it an emergency if my dog is squinting and breathing fast?

It can be. Rapid breathing at rest combined with squinting may indicate pain, respiratory distress, or a neurological problem. If the breathing rate is significantly elevated, the gums appear abnormal, or the dog seems weak or distressed, this should be treated as urgent and a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.

Can allergies cause squinting and heavy breathing?

Environmental allergies can cause eye irritation, leading to squinting. If the allergic reaction is severe enough to involve the upper airway, breathing may also become laboured. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

SYMPTOM TRIAGE Concerned about your dog's squinting or other symptoms? Try our Symptom Triage Tool to help evaluate the situation and decide on next steps.

Sources

American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Merck Veterinary Manual - Respiratory Distress in Dogs
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. If your dog is showing signs of respiratory distress, persistent squinting, or any other concerning symptoms, contact a licensed veterinarian immediately. PawAI Lab provides general education to help pet owners make informed decisions but cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions.