What Breathing Changes Can Mean at Home

Breathing can be one of the harder things for families to interpret, especially when a pet is in hospice care. A pet may still be alert, eating, or wanting to be near you, but that doesn’t always mean their breathing is comfortable. The goal is to help you notice the difference between a pet who’s managing and one who’s starting to struggle so you can reach out before things escalate.

A pet who is breathing comfortably can usually lie down, settle into one position, and actually get some rest. They’re able to relax and stay still for longer stretches. They may pant at times, especially dogs, but it eases once they’re settled and it doesn’t interfere with their ability to sleep, eat, or drink.

Signs of early discomfort often show up as restlessness. You might see your pet lie down, get back up, try the other side, pace a little, or seem like they just can’t quite get settled. These changes don’t always mean immediate distress, but they’re important clues that their breathing isn’t as easy as it should be. This is a good stage to reach out and talk things through so we can help guide you and prevent things from worsening.

True breathing struggle becomes more obvious when a pet can’t rest at all. They may remain standing, extend their neck to try to pull in air, or use their abdomen with every breath. Eating and drinking may become difficult because they can’t coordinate breathing with anything else. This is the point we want to avoid reaching at home — not because we expect you to diagnose anything, but because once a pet enters that level of effort, they can tire out quickly, and it’s no longer a peaceful experience.

Our goal is to help you recognize these changes early so your pet never has to go through that kind of distress. If you’re noticing that your pet is starting to have trouble getting comfortable, or you're seeing patterns that feel different from their normal breathing, that’s the time to check in. It gives us a chance to talk through what you’re seeing, help you decide what’s best, and ensure that, if it’s time, your pet can pass in a calm, peaceful way at home.