Skip to searchSkip to main content
Not in the U.S?

Not shopping in the U.S. or plan on shipping to a Canadian address?

Continue to Canada site
Use App
24/7 HelpHelp
Get help from our experts 24/7
1-800-672-4399
  • Track Order
AccountAccount
Sign InNew Customer? Start here
  • Account
  • Orders
  • Manage Autoship
  • Favorites
  • Buy Again
  • Prescriptions
  • My Vet Clinics
  • Pet Portal
  • Connect with a Vet
  • Pet Insurance Dashboard
  • My Rescues
CartCart
Your cart is empty.
Something missing? Sign in to see items you may have added from another computer or device.
Not in the U.S?

Not shopping in the U.S. or plan on shipping to a Canadian address?

Continue to Canada site
Use App
24/7 Help
Get help from our experts 24/7
1-800-672-4399
  • Track Order
AccountAccount
Sign InNew Customer? Start here
  • Account
  • Orders
  • Manage Autoship
  • Favorites
  • Buy Again
  • Prescriptions
  • My Vet Clinics
  • Pet Portal
  • Connect with a Vet
  • Pet Insurance Dashboard
  • My Rescues
CartCart
Your cart is empty.
Something missing? Sign in to see items you may have added from another computer or device.
Food
  • Dry Food
  • Wet Food
  • Fresh Food & Toppers
  • Veterinary Diets
  • Science-Backed Formulas
  • Puppy Food
Treats
  • Bones, Bully Sticks & Naturals
  • Soft & Chewy Treats
  • Dental Treats
  • Biscuits & Cookies
  • Long-Lasting Chews
  • Jerky Treats
  • Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated
Health & Pharmacy
  • Flea & Tick
  • Vitamins & Supplements
  • Allergy & Itch Relief
  • Heartworm & Dewormers
  • Pharmacy & Prescriptions
  • Anxiety & Calming Care
  • DNA Testing Kits
Supplies
  • Crates, Pens & Gates
  • Beds
  • Tech & Smart Home
  • Leashes, Collars & Harnesses
  • Bowls & Feeders
  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Carriers & Travel
  • Training & Behavior
Dog DealsNew Dog SuppliesPet Parent SuppliesShop all Dog
Toys
  • Plush Toys
  • Chew Toys
  • Fetch Toys
  • Treat Dispensing Toys
  • Puzzle Toys
  • Rope & Tug Toys
Cleaning & Potty
  • Pee Pads & Diapers
  • Poop Bags & Scoopers
  • Cleaners & Stain Removers
  • Vacuums & Steam Cleaners
Grooming
  • Brushes & Combs
  • Shampoos & Conditioners
  • Grooming Tools
  • Paw & Nail Care
  • Ear Care
  • Skin Care
Gift Cards
Popular Brands
Purina Pro Plan
Hill's
Blue Buffalo
Frisco
Royal Canin
Bark
Food
  • Wet Food
  • Dry Food
  • Everyday Favorites
  • Science-Backed Formulas
  • Veterinary Diets
  • Highest Quality Food
  • Food Toppers
Litter
  • Clumping
  • Scented
  • Unscented
  • Natural
  • Lightweight
Treats
  • Crunchy Treats
  • Lickable Treats
  • Soft & Chewy Treats
  • Dental Treats
  • Catnip
  • Cat Grass
Supplies
  • Litter Boxes & Accessories
  • Tech & Smart Home
  • Beds
  • Carriers & Travel
  • Bowls & Feeders
  • Grooming
  • Collars, Leashes & Harnesses
Cat DealsPet Parent SuppliesShop all Cat
Health & Pharmacy
  • Flea & Tick
  • Vitamins & Supplements
  • Allergy & Itch Relief
  • Pharmacy & Prescriptions
  • Anxiety & Calming Care
  • Urinary Tract & Kidneys
  • Test Kits
Trees & Scratchers
  • Trees & Condos
  • Scratchers & Scratching Posts
  • Wall Shelves
  • Window Perches
Toys
  • Interactive & Electronic Toys
  • Scratchers
  • Teasers & Wands
  • Balls & Chasers
  • Catnip Toys
  • Plush & Mice Toys
Gift Cards
Popular Brands
Tiny Tiger
Shop Blue Buffalo
Shop litter robot
Shop Temptations
Shop Hill's Science Diet
Shop Purina Pro Plan
Science-backed nutrition That's the IAMS difference. Shop now
Horse
  • Feed
  • Treats
  • Blankets and Sheets
  • Tack
  • Health and Wellness
  • Dewormers
  • Vitamins and Supplements
Chicken
  • Feed
  • Treats
  • Feeders, Waterers and Deicers
  • Chick Starter Feed
  • Nesting and Egg Supplies
  • Coops and Accessories
  • Vitamins and Healthcare
Livestock
  • Cattle
  • Goat
  • Pig
  • Sheep
  • Llama and Alpaca
  • Livestock Feed
  • Livestock Supplements
Wild Bird & Wildlife
  • Wild Bird
  • Wild Bird Food
  • Wild Bird Seed
  • Wild Bird Suet
  • Wild Bird Feeders
  • Hummingbird Supplies
  • Duck and Waterfowl
Small Animal
  • Rabbit
  • Guinea Pig
  • Chinchilla
  • Hamster
  • Rat
  • Ferret
  • Bedding and Litter
Pet Bird
  • Parrot
  • Parakeet
  • Cockatiel
  • Toys
  • Cages and Accessories
  • Food
  • Perches
Fish
  • Freshwater Fish Supplies
  • Saltwater Fish Supplies
  • Koi and Pond Supplies
  • Fish Food
  • Aquariums and Fish Tanks
  • Fish Tank Filters and Media
  • Aquarium Decorations
Reptile and Amphibian
  • Live Feeders
  • Food and Treats
  • Tanks and Terrariums
  • Heating and Lighting
  • Aquatic Turtle
  • Bearded Dragon
  • Snake
Gift Cards
Popular Brands
Shop Buckeye
Shop Animed
Shop Cosequin
The Horse Shop. Your one-stop shop for everything they need to be their best.
Prescriptions
Order your pet's prescription items.
How it works
Shop all Pharmacy
Health Services
Chewy Vet Care
Chat free with our vet team
CarePlus Pet Insurance & Wellness Plans
Compounded Medications
Choose from a variety of flavors, strengths, and forms for your pet or horse.
Learn about compounding
Dog
  • Prescription Flea & Tick
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Pain Relief & Arthritis
  • Antibiotics & Antifungals
  • Allergy Relief
  • Anxiety & Calming
  • Ear & Skin Conditions
  • Eye Drops & Ointments
  • Urinary & Kidney
  • Diabetes Care & Insulin
Cat
  • Prescription Flea & Tick
  • Dewormers & Parasiticides
  • Eye Drops & Ointments
  • Antibiotics & Antifungals
  • Allergy Relief
  • Anxiety & Calming
  • Urinary & Kidney
  • Thyroid & Hormone
  • Pain Relief & Arthritis
  • Diabetes Care & Insulin
Horse
  • Joint and Anti-Inflammatory
  • Metabolic and Endocrine
  • Calming and Behavioral Support
  • Pain Medicine
  • Antibiotics
  • Allergy and Immune
  • Vitamins and Electrolytes
Expert Health Tips
  • PetMD
Connect with a Vet
Chat free with our licensed veterinary team.
Learn more
CarePlus Pet Insurance & Wellness Plans
Give your pet the best possible health coverage with pet insurance and wellness plans.
Learn more
Chewy Vet Care
Exceptional in-person routine and urgent care from our compassionate veterinary teams.
Schedule a visit
Learn
How We Give Back
We've donated more than $100M in products to rescue animal centers.
Learn more
Donate to a Rescue
You can help us make an impact by donating items to your local shelter.
Find a Rescue
Find Pets to Adopt
Search thousands of pets from shelters and rescues in Chewy's network.
Find Pets
Join Our Network
Join our network to access benefits and resources that’ll help more pets.
Join Now
Today's Deals
Halloween Shop
Use App
CartCart
  1. Home
  2. Dog
  3. Training & Behavior

Why Do Dogs Sigh? Is This Normal?

Brittany Natale
By Brittany Natale
Updated
Apr. 30, 2025
dog sighing on couch - why do dogs sigh

Photo by Chewy Studios

Q: Sometimes my dog will make a sound that’s pretty similar to a human’s sigh, but I can’t figure out why he’s doing this. Why do dogs sigh? Is this normal?

A: You hit the nail on the head—dogs, indeed, sigh, just like people do. It is normal, but the reasons why dogs sigh may differ from why humans do it.

What Is Sighing in Dogs?


Sighing is a natural body function common to humans and other animal, says Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, the chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club (AKC). “[It’s] where the normal quiet respiratory rate is interrupted involuntarily by a louder and longer inhale followed by an appropriate exhale,” he explains.

In humans, sighing typically occurs as part of an emotional response, to emotions like anxiety, arousal or pain, or simply to help regulate the respiratory system when the body needs it. “Occasionally, some air sacs can collapse, and sighing can help reset them,” Dr. Klein says.

He says that, when it comes to dogs, sighing is often associated with emotional responses, too.

6 Reasons Why Dogs Sigh


Dogs may sigh as a way to express themselves to their pet parents. “It can be a way of communicating to humans,” Dr. Klein says. Here are some common reasons your pooch may sigh:

Contentment

Ever hear your dog let out a big sigh as you give them a belly rub or scratch behind their ears? Yeah, that’s probably a sign of contentment.

“When sighing is due to comfort, the dog’s face will be ‘soft’,” says Dr. Klein. He adds that the dog’s ears and body may be relaxed, and their eyes will be closed or semi-closed.

Pleasure

If your furry friend lets out a sigh during playtime at the dog park, it might be because they’re feeling pleasure. Similar to contentment, if a dog sighs because they feel pleasure, their face will also appear soft, their ears and body will be relaxed and their eyes will be shut or semi-shut.

“Learn how to ‘read’ your dog by discerning a ‘soft’ face, with relaxed eyes, ears and body positioning,” advises Dr. Klein.

Relaxation

Sometimes, you might witness a dog sighing as they begin to drift off to sleep. “Personally, I’ve observed it in my dog just on the edge of sleep,” says Leigh Siegfried, founder and training director at Opportunity Barks Behavior Training in Philadelphia and Quakertown, Pennsylvania. She shares that when a dog sighs because they’re relaxed, the behavior often is accompanied with a “soft” mouth.

Boredom

Perhaps you’ve been here before—you’re sitting at your desk trying to get work done, and you hear a sigh coming from your furry friend across the room as they sit there watching you. If this sounds like you and your pup, you’re not alone. Dr. Klein says that some dogs may sigh as a sign of boredom. In this case, the dog will have alert, open eyes, and their body will be anxious or anticipatory.

Disappointment

Ever notice that your dog will sigh when playtime is over? Or when a long walk comes to an end? This might mean they’re disappointed. Like boredom, Dr. Klein shares that when a dog sighs because of disappointment, their eyes will be open and alert, and they might be lying down, or sitting up and anticipatory.

To Regulate Minor Respiratory Imbalances

Dr. Klein also points out that it can be assumed that, similar to humans, sighing may occur in dogs to help regulate the respiratory system.

When Dog Sighing Could Be a Concern


Sighing isn’t normally a cause for concern, but there are other noises dogs make that sound similar to sighing—and some of those sounds could indicate an issue, such as a medical condition or a sign your dog is having trouble breathing. Those include:

Moans

“Moans are similar to sighs, but the sounds come from the vocal cords, not the audible inspiration,” says Dr. Klein. (Inspiration is another way to describe the drawing in of air into the lungs.) He says that, unlike sighs, moans may indicate pain or discomfort, such as that caused by abdominal pain, back pain or osteoarthritic pain.

“If a dog is moaning and suspected to be in discomfort or pain, one should immediately consult a veterinarian and have the dog evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible,” he adds.

Panting

Panting is another dog sound that could easily be confused with sighing. “Panting involves many short rapid breaths, while sighing usually involves one longer breath,” explains Dr. Klein.

Labored Breathing

“Labored breathing occurs when there is a noticeable effort by the dog to move the chest wall or when the abdomen is actively involved in the process of breathing,” shares Dr. Klein. “Unlike sighing, which is usually isolated, labored breathing is extended with every breath.”

He stresses that labored breathing is a sign to contact your vet immediately.

Yawns

“Yawns also involve taking a deep breath,” says Dr. Klein. “However, a yawn requires a wide open mouth.” This is not as concerning as the other sounds; you might see your furry friend yawn when feeling fatigued or stressed.

What Is Considered Excessive Sighing in Dogs?


Although what’s considered excessive sighing may vary from dog to dog, Dr. Klein says if you feel or observe that your dog is doing anything excessively—sighing or otherwise—you should check in with your vet to rule out any issues.

Similar to humans, your furry friend may sigh for any number of reasons, including communicating that they’re bored or content and as a way to correct minor respiratory imbalances.

Now that you’re up to speed on why dogs sigh, learn about dog body language.

Attributions


Brittany Natale

Brittany Natale

Related articles
  • How To Stop Territorial Aggression in Dogs
    How To Stop Territorial Aggression in Dogs

  • 4 Behavior Changes in Senior Dogs: Common Signs and How to Help
    4 Behavior Changes in Senior Dogs: Common Signs and How to Help

  • Why Does My Dog Play Reverse Fetch? Is This Normal?
    Why Does My Dog Play Reverse Fetch? Is This Normal?

  • My Dog Pees When Excited—Is This Normal?
    My Dog Pees When Excited—Is This Normal?