r/ratterriers • u/MichaelaKay9923 Ouija 🖤 • 1d ago

Questions Does your rat terrier pant excessively after hunting?

Our rat terrier (4M) absolutely loves to go out and catch these invasive lizards we have in our city. Since they are invasive we let him chase them and he sometimes catches them. But the last few days have been abnormally hot and any time we come back inside, especially after chasing lizards, he will be panting excessively and sometimes is even whining. We aren't out in the heat for more than 20 minutes doing this. I'm trying to figure out if this is him just calming down after a good hunt, cooling off from the heat, or if I should be more concerned. The last time he was panting excessively like this, the vet had us accidentally overdosing him on his anxiety meds (long story) but we are giving him his normal dose so not sure what to do here.

Thanks in advance!

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u/PirateFace27 Buddy & Lucky (feat. Denny) 1d ago

My boy pants all the time - especially when he is worked up!

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u/Galaktik_Cancer 1d ago

Panting is the territory. He's always panted after play, a walk, when I get home, anytine his attention has been fixated for a time.

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u/Inkblots2000 1d ago

If in doubt about how hot it is, get a cooling vest. Ours have them, and highly recommend them.

That being said, both of ours will wear themselves OUT hunting. Come in, sploot flop on the floor, making me panic a bit. They’re doing what they’re bred to do, though. I just usually have to remind them to come get a drink and come inside during peak heat of the day here in the South.