Is Cat Panting Normal? Our Vet Explains
We are all familiar with the sight of a happy hound, tail wagging and tongue lolling, panting to cool down on a hot day or after a run. But what if we find our cat panting with his mouth open? Is that ever normal or should we be worried? The answer is no, it is not normal for cats to pant. Let’s take a closer look!
Is It Okay for Cats to Pant?
The answer is a qualified “No”. Panting is a word that describes open-mouthed, rapid, or heavy breathing. It is never ‘normal’ for a cat to pant and cats are not physically designed to mouth-breathe for long periods.
In a healthy cat, panting after exercise should only occur after unusual exertion, and then only for a short time. Cats may occasionally pant in very stressful situations and may do so if confined in hot conditions - but if nothing about the circumstances offers an explanation, then something may indeed be wrong.
Should I Be Worried if My Cat Is Panting?
To gauge how worried you should be, consider the situation around you and what you know of recent events. Read the sections on stress and on heatstroke below to rule these out - note that cats with heatstroke will need veterinary care.
It’s a good idea to ask yourself if you have noticed other changes in your furry friend. Review recent weeks or months to see if you can appreciate weight loss, greater thirst, altered breathing, or any other difference. This can give you - and a vet - clues to an underlying problem.
Is Panting a Sign of Stress or Pain in Cats?
Let’s face it, we envy them: snoozing and lazing for most of the day, never seen working on their keep-fit regime, yet able at a moment’s notice to take to their heels or leap effortlessly onto a high perch. Stress panting is rare and most healthy cats can cope with sudden exertion or stress with no signs at all.
If you do see your cat chased across the yard with a barking hound dog at his heels, or find him hemmed in and unable to move to a safe place, threatened by people, noise, or other pets, then extreme stress may have caused him to pant. Even so, he needs to be carefully watched, and it’s worth reading on to consider the underlying problems that might be brewing.
Pain alone would rarely make a cat pant, unless sudden and severe, such as a road traffic accident. Even then, panting would suggest more than just bruising. Long-term painful conditions, such as arthritis, often go unrecognized for months or years because cats hide their pain so well, simply becoming subtly less springy and less interactive.
Is Panting a Sign of Heatstroke in Cats?
Open-mouthed panting and drooling can be signs of heatstroke. Although originally a desert animal, evolving to cope in conditions of high, dry heat and limited water supplies, cats can still get heatstroke. If they are trapped in a car, conservatory, or outhouse, with insufficient shade or ventilation, it’s a possibility.
Overheating is more likely if the cat hasn’t had access to water. It’s also more likely in the elderly and the very young, in dense-coated and long-haired breeds, and the flat-faced breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs.
Panting may be an obvious finding, but cats may also be restless, staggering or confused, have vomiting or diarrhea, and at worse, may collapse or have seizures.
What Should I Do if My Cat Is Panting?
Remember that, unfortunately, some of the conditions that can cause a cat to pant are serious.
It’s best to err on the safe side, so first of all, before you try to figure out what may have happened, do the following:
Why Is My Cat Panting?
We’ve looked at how normal cats in abnormal situations - of heat, stress, or fear - might pant for a short while.
Let’s look at some diseases where abnormal panting is seen, flagging up the need for veterinary care:
When Should I Take My Cat to the Vet for Panting?
Remember, a healthy cat shouldn’t pant, so it’s best to consider a vet visit unless you’re confident that his panting can be explained by stress or over-exertion. Even then, it’s possible he has underlying disease and you should consider a vet visit.
It’s wise to have him checked over. If panting is persistent, treat this as urgent:
Conclusion
Panting in cats is generally considered abnormal and can be a sign of severe hidden illnesses. In general, it’s best to take your cat to the vet if he’s panting. Cats are excellent at hiding the signs of disease and it’s best to arrange for your vet to examine your cat as soon as possible.
Want more free vet advice? Check out some of our other Ask-a-Vet posts:
Featured Image By: Ihtar, Pixabay
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Dr. Joanna Woodnutt BVM BVS (Veterinarian)
Joanna is an experienced veterinarian working in the UK. She has written about pets and their health for many blogs, pet magazines and pet websites and loves to help readers understand their pets through her writing.
She has started her own freelance company so she can help more pet parents than just the one standing in front of her in a consultation room.
She enjoys teaching and educating clients, so a career in writing, public education and pet health is the perfect combination for her.
