Last summer, I made a rookie mistake.
Loaded up my truck, grabbed my 3-year-old mutt Bailey, and drove straight from our place (basically sea level) up to a cabin at 9,500 feet in the Rockies. Figured we’d have an epic weekend, hiking, campfires, the whole deal.
Day one? Bailey was acting weird. Like, really weird. Panting constantly even though we weren’t doing anything crazy. Wouldn’t touch his food, which never happens because this dog inhales everything. Just kinda… lay there looking miserable.
Panicked a bit, not gonna lie. Called a ranger friend who basically laughed at me (lovingly) and said, “dude, your dog probably has altitude sickness.”
Wait, what? Do dogs get altitude sickness? I genuinely had no clue that was even possible.
Turns out, yeah. Dogs can absolutely get wrecked by high elevations, sometimes even worse than humans. Their bodies need oxygen just like ours, and when there’s less of it floating around in the thin mountain air, things can go sideways fast.
After that trip (we came down the mountain early, Bailey recovered fine), I got obsessed with learning everything about this. Because honestly? Nobody talks about it. You see tons of dogs on hiking trails, but rarely do people mention the risks.
So here’s everything I wish someone had told me before I dragged my poor dog up a mountain.
What Altitude Sickness in Dogs Symptoms Actually Look Like
Bailey’s case was mild, thankfully. But the altitude sickness in dogs symptoms can range from “my dog seems off” to “we need a vet RIGHT NOW.”
Here’s what I’ve seen and heard from other dog owners who learned this lesson:
The obvious stuff:
- Your dog is breathing like they just ran a marathon, but they’ve been lying down for an hour
- Zero interest in food or treats (huge red flag if you have a food-motivated dog)
- Moving super slow, almost like they’re drunk or dizzy
- Won’t play, won’t engage, just wants to sleep
The scarier stuff:
- Throwing up or having diarrhea out of nowhere
- Gums looking pale or kinda greyish-blue instead of healthy pink
- Stumbling around, seeming confused about where they are
- Coughing or making weird breathing sounds
My neighbor’s Pug, poor thing, got hit hard at like 7,000 feet. Started coughing, then couldn’t catch his breath properly. They rushed down immediately and had to see a vet because fluid was building up in his lungs. Bulldogs, Pugs, those smoosh-faced breeds? They’re already working with compromised airways, so altitude just compounds everything.
The thing is, altitude sickness in dogs symptoms don’t always show up immediately. Sometimes it’s hour three or four when you notice something’s wrong. Bailey seemed totally fine for the first few hours, then boom—suddenly not fine.
Why Does This Even Happen?
Okay so bear with me while I get slightly nerdy for a second.
At higher elevations, air pressure drops. Less pressure = less oxygen molecules per breath. Your dog’s body starts freaking out trying to get enough oxygen to their organs, brain, muscles—everything.
Their heart speeds up. Breathing gets faster. But if you go up too high, too fast, their system just can’t compensate enough.
Humans get headaches, nausea, all that fun stuff. Dogs? They can’t tell you their head hurts. They just act off and hope you figure it out.
Do dogs get altitude sickness as easily as people do? Honestly depends on the dog. Some are totally fine at 12,000 feet. Others struggle at 6,000. There’s no magic number.
I’ve got a hiking buddy whose Aussie has summited multiple peaks over 14,000 feet without batting an eye. Meanwhile my other friend’s young, healthy Labrador got sick at 8,500 feet on her first mountain trip. Bodies are wild like that.
Also-and this caught me off guard—dehydration makes everything worse. Mountain air is dry. Dogs lose water way faster through all that panting. Less water + less oxygen = bad combo.
How I Learned to Actually Prevent This Mess
After the Bailey incident, I talked to my vet, bugged some Search & Rescue folks who work with dogs in the mountains, read way too many forums at 2am. Here’s what actually works for preventing altitude sickness in pets:
Stop being impatient about getting up there
This was my main screwup. Going from 0 to 9,500 feet in one day? Stupid. Now, when I plan mountain trips, we stop at like 5,000-6,000 feet for a night. Let Bailey’s body adjust a bit. Then go higher the next day.
Yeah it adds time to the trip. But beats having a sick dog and cutting everything short.
Don’t let them go crazy on day one
I know, I know. Your dog sees mountains and loses their mind with excitement. Bailey starts doing zoomies the second we get out of the truck.
But you gotta reign them in. First day or two? Short, chill walks only. No running after squirrels, no intense hikes. Just… easy does it.
Water, water, and more water
I now bring like double the water I think we’ll need. Bailey gets offered water every 20-30 minutes whether he seems thirsty or not. Got one of those collapsible bowls that clips to my pack.
Keeping them hydrated helps SO much with preventing altitude issues.
Actually watch your dog
Sounds obvious but when you’re having fun hiking, it’s easy to zone out. Now I’m constantly checking on Bailey. How’s his breathing? Is he keeping up okay? Does he seem happy or stressed?
Caught some early warning signs on our last trip, he was panting a bit more than normal, so we took a long break, gave him water, and hung out in the shade. He bounced back fine.
Talk to your vet first if your dog has any health stuff
Heart problems? Breathing issues? Overweight? Old age? Chat with your vet before booking that mountain Airbnb. Some dogs just shouldn’t go to high elevations, and that’s okay.
When Things Go Wrong Up There
Let’s say you’re already at elevation and your dog starts showing symptoms. What now?
First: stop whatever you’re doing. No more hiking. No “let’s just get to the summit.” Done. Your dog’s health matters more than views or completing a trail.
Get them water and rest. Find shade if it’s sunny. Let them chill out completely.
Watch them closely. Are symptoms getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?
If they’re not improving or getting worse? Go down. Like, immediately. Even dropping 1,000-2,000 feet can make a massive difference. Bailey perked up noticeably within 30 minutes of us heading back down the mountain.
If it’s really bad—blue gums, collapse, can’t breathe properly, this is emergency territory. Get down fast and find a vet. Severe altitude sickness can cause permanent damage or kill a dog. It’s rare, but it happens.
I always check where the nearest vet clinic is before mountain trips now. Have the address saved offline since cell service up high is usually trash.
Also keep a basic first aid kit in your car. Thermometer, bandages, blanket, that kind of stuff. Hopefully you never need it, but better to have it.
Some Dogs Are Just More At Risk
Not all dogs handle mountains the same way. Here’s the deal:
Those flat-faced breeds—Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers—they’re already working harder to breathe normally. Add thin mountain air? Recipe for disaster. I rarely see these breeds on serious mountain trails, and now I get why.
Puppies and senior dogs also struggle more. Young bodies are still developing, old bodies are wearing out. Both extremes = higher risk.
Out of shape dogs? Yeah, they’re gonna have a tougher time than a dog who regularly exercises. Bailey’s pretty active normally, which probably helped him.
Weirdly, some breeds were literally bred for mountains. Saint Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs—those big fluffy dudes from the Alps—tend to handle elevation better. Makes sense when you think about their history.
But even within breeds, every dog is different. I know someone with two Goldens from the same litter. One does great at altitude, the other gets queasy above 7,000 feet. Go figure.
Random Tips That Actually Helped Me
Check the weather constantly. Mountain weather is bipolar. Sunny and warm one hour, freezing rain the next. Cold + altitude = even harder for dogs to regulate body temp and breathing.
Protect their paws. Rocky alpine trails are brutal. Bailey tore a pad once and we had to carry him out (he’s 60 pounds, it sucked). Now I check his paws regularly and sometimes use booties on really rough terrain.
Sunscreen for dogs? Yep, it’s a thing. Dogs with thin fur or pink skin can burn, especially at elevation where UV is stronger. Bailey has a pink nose so I put pet-safe sunscreen on it.
Don’t force food if they’re not hungry. Appetite loss is common at altitude. Offer it, but don’t stress if they skip a meal. Once you descend, they’ll usually eat normally again.
Plan rest days. Don’t try cramming five intense hikes into three days. Give your dog (and yourself honestly) time to just exist at elevation without pushing hard.
FAQ Section
Q1: Do dogs get altitude sickness at specific heights or does it vary?
Totally varies, which is annoying because there’s no clear “safe” elevation. I’ve seen dogs struggle at 7,000 feet and others cruise past 13,000 feet like it’s nothing. Breed, age, fitness level, previous mountain experience—all of it matters. Best approach? Assume your dog might be sensitive and take precautions regardless of elevation.
Q2: What are the first altitude sickness in dogs symptoms I should worry about?
For me with Bailey, it was the excessive panting when he should’ve been calm and the total disinterest in food. Those were the first clues. Other early signs: seeming tired way too quickly, not acting like their normal self, just kinda “off” behavior. Trust your gut—you know your dog better than anyone.
Q3: Can I give my dog something to prevent altitude sickness?
Short answer: not really. There aren’t safe, vet-approved medications for dogs like there are for humans (Diamox and stuff). I asked my vet about this specifically. She said the best “medicine” is going slow, staying hydrated, and watching for symptoms. Don’t give your dog random meds without vet approval—could make things worse.
Q4: How fast do dogs bounce back after altitude sickness?
Bailey started acting more normal within maybe 45 minutes of descending, and was basically himself again by that evening. Mild cases usually clear up pretty quick once you get lower. But if it was severe—like fluid in the lungs—that needs actual vet treatment and takes longer to recover from. The faster you catch it and descend, the quicker recovery usually is.
So Yeah, Dogs and Mountains Can Be Tricky
Do dogs get altitude sickness? Unfortunately yes, they absolutely do. And it sucks watching your best friend feel like crap because you didn’t know better.
But here’s the thing, mountains are incredible, and sharing them with your dog makes them even better. You just gotta be smart about it. Take your time going up. Bring stupid amounts of water. Actually pay attention to how they’re doing.
That trip where Bailey got sick taught me a ton. Now we do mountains all the time, but differently. Slower. Smarter. And honestly? Those trips are way more enjoyable when I’m not stressed about whether my dog is okay.
Last month we spent four days at 8,000 feet, and Bailey was absolutely thriving. Chasing marmots (unsuccessfully), splashing in alpine streams, sleeping hard in the tent every night. Those are the moments you remember.
Just… learn from my mistake. Don’t rush it. Your dog will thank you.
Stay safe out there. 🏔️
