Unless your cat has just been playing hard for an extended period of time in a warm environment or is extremely stressed healthy stressed cats may pant , panting is a cause for concern. These clues can all help point to the cause of the panting. An asthma attack or traumatic injury to the chest usually will cause respiratory distress to come on suddenly. The other causes tend to be more gradual, with changes in your cat developing slowly and increasing in severity and frequency.
For example, a cat going into heart failure may start off by only panting after playing hard, but then start to pant after going up a flight of stairs or even while resting. Although fairly rare in cats, a heartworm infection also can cause respiratory difficulty, exercise intolerance, and panting. Bloodwork may be done to check for signs of infection or systemic illness, and radiographs x-rays will be taken to evaluate the chest. X-rays can reveal the presence of tumors in the lungs, clouding of the lungs caused by infection or congestion, and the characteristic outlining of inflamed airways seen with asthma.
In some cases, an echocardiogram may be recommended to evaluate the structure and function of the heart. This is often performed by a veterinary cardiology specialist with additional training and equipment. An electrocardiogram also may be done for cats with suspected heart disease. While there are certain instances in which panting can be normal, there are others that signal potentially serious problems in which veterinary care and attention is a must.
Technically, yes, cats do pant. In the rare instance that they do, it is typically very closely associated with heavy exertion, lasts a very short time, and then quickly resolves. Panting in cats outwardly looks very similar to panting in dogs—cats will breathe with their mouth open and tongue out, making louder breath sounds than normal. While any cat can physically pant, certain breeds of cats are more susceptible to panting, either because of their respiratory anatomy or because of their hair coat.
These cat breeds include Himalayans and Persians who have a flatter face and more narrow nostrils, and Maine Coons and other long-haired breeds. So, when we see a cat panting, it typically means something is off. Normal causes of panting in cats can include:. There are certain instances in which cats may pant for a very short period of time.
Abnormal causes of cat panting include many medical conditions such as:. Unlike normal panting, abnormal panting in cats typically starts spontaneously or without any trigger. It also does not resolve quickly with rest or removal of the stressor or heat and is typically associated with other abnormal behaviors like coughing, lethargy, and an increased effort to breathe. We can see abnormal panting in any age of cat, but often kittens and senior cats are more easily affected.
Unfortunately, respiratory distress is one of the most common reasons that we see felines on an emergency basis. Many times, excessive panting and other worrisome behaviors are associated with an underlying disease. Be sure to let your cat rest and recoup after lots of exercise, and monitor them to make sure they have not become overheated.
All the pouncing, chasing, scratching, and jumping a cat does makes them hot. And when they have been active for a long period of time, they can get overheated their body temperature becomes elevated.
If that's the case, your cat may need to find a cool spot on the kitchen floor and might even do a kitty sploot adorable! Our feline buddies can be susceptible to overheating, heatstroke , dehydration , or heat exhaustion just like us—particularly when it's hot, humid, or especially warm outside. In situations like those, pay close attention to symptoms such as:. Entriken says that if your cat is showing any of these concerning signs they need to be seen by a veterinarian right away.
Cats, even with all their silly antics, are not free from stress. Like their canine counterparts, cats experience fear, stress, and anxiety and express those uncomfortable emotions through body language. A cat that may be under a lot of stress may take in fast and shallow open-mouth breaths panting. If you see your cat doing this it may be an indicator that there are significant stressors in the home environment or their current situation makes them feel uncomfortable.
For instance, cats may pant while at the vet office, when strangers come to your home, or when you introduce a new furry family member. Consider the cause for your cat's concern and take immediate action to make sure your cat is feline fine and comfortable. Try to give them space and freedom from unwanted interactions, offer up toys and opportunities to scratch on their favorite cat tree , keep your home quiet, keep visitors away for a while, and re-establish a routine that's suitable to their needs.
When a cat is experiencing pain they will likely engage in behaviors that may seem out of the ordinary or out of context. Vocalizing, changes in mood, not eating, hiding, obsessively licking an area of their body, and open-mouth panting can all be signs a cat is experiencing pain and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Johnson-Bennett notes that the pain could be due to a recent injury or an underlying medical condition.
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