What Does a Panting Cat Try to Tell Us

Is It Normal for Cats to Pant?

Panting is not normal in cats unless it happens after intense exercise or extreme heat. Even then, it should only last a few minutes. If your cat pants frequently or for a long time, it may indicate a health problem.

I. Normal Situations

1.After Exercise or Excitement

When cats engage in vigorous play or exercise, such as chasing a toy mouse around the house for an extended period, their bodies need more oxygen. Panting is a way for them to take in extra oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide more quickly. For example, if a cat has been playing with a catnip - filled toy for 15 minutes straight, it may start to pant as a normal physiological response.

Similarly, when cats are in a highly excited state, like when they see a bird outside the window or a new interesting object in the room, they might pant.

2.In a Hot Environment

Cats don't sweat like humans do (they have only a few sweat glands in their paw pads). So, when the environment is hot, panting helps them regulate their body temperature. For instance, on a very warm summer day, if a cat is in a room without air conditioning, it may pant to cool down.

II. Abnormal Situations

1.Respiratory Problems

If a cat has a respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu - like virus, the airways can become inflamed. This can make it difficult for the cat to breathe normally, and panting may occur. Symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose may also be present.

Cats can also develop asthma, which causes the airways to narrow. This leads to shortness of breath and panting, often accompanied by wheezing sounds.

Also Read: Upper Respiratory Infection in Cats

2.Cardiac Issues

Heart problems in cats can prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently. As a result, the body may not get enough oxygen, and the cat may pant in an attempt to increase oxygen intake. Other signs of heart problems may include lethargy, weakness, and loss of appetite.

3.Other Health Concerns

Anemia (a deficiency in red blood cells) can reduce the oxygen - carrying capacity of the blood. The cat may pant as the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen.

Kidney disease can disrupt the body's internal balance, which may also lead to abnormal breathing and panting in some cases.

When to See a Vet About Cat Panting

🚨 Seek Veterinary Care If Your Cat:
✔️ Pants for more than a few minutes
✔️ Pants frequently without exercise or heat
✔️ Shows other symptoms (coughing, wheezing, lethargy)
✔️ Is a senior cat or has known health issues
✔️ Struggles to breathe or has blue gums

How Can I Help My Panting Cat?

I. Treatment of normal conditions

• After exercise or excitement

Let the cat rest: If the cat is panting because of strenuous exercise or over-excitement, provide a quiet and comfortable place for it to rest. For example, you can take the cat to its familiar litter box or a quiet corner of the room to avoid disturbing it, and it will usually resume normal breathing on its own after a period of time.

Hydration: After exercise, your cat may be thirsty. Provide fresh, clean water, which will help your cat regulate its body functions and promote breathing to return to a steady state.

• When the environment is too hot

Adjust the environment temperature: If the cat is panting because the environment temperature is too high, move the cat to a cooler place, such as an air-conditioned room or a well-ventilated shady place. For example, on a hot summer day, if the cat is panting in an un-air-conditioned room, you can open the windows to ventilate the room or use a fan to cool down the area where the cat is.

Provide cooling items: You can gently wipe the cat's foot pads with a damp towel, as they are one of the areas where the cat dissipates heat. You can also place an ice bag (wrapped in a towel to avoid frostbite to the cat) near the cat to help reduce the surrounding temperature.

II. Handling of abnormalities (if disease factors are suspected)

• Initial observation and isolation

Close observation: If the cat wheezes and is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, depression, etc., closely observe its symptomatic changes. Record the frequency of wheezing, whether there is difficulty in breathing, whether there is abnormal secretion, etc., so as to inform the veterinarian.

Isolation: If there are multiple pets at home and wheezing is suspected to be caused by an infectious disease, isolate the sick cat from other pets to prevent the spread of the disease.

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible

Contact a veterinarian: Contact a veterinarian as soon as you notice your cat panting abnormally and suspect it is caused by a disease. If possible, describe the cat's symptoms, recent activities, diet and other information to the veterinarian so that he or she can make a preliminary judgement.

Follow the veterinarian's instructions: the veterinarian may ask to bring the cat to the clinic for examination, such as auscultation, blood test, X-ray examination, etc. According to the veterinarian's diagnosis, strictly follow the instructions for treatment, including feeding the cat medication, providing a special diet or follow-up care.

• Reasonable diet

Provide your cat with nutritionally balanced food and ensure that it receives enough protein, fat, vitamins and minerals to maintain normal body functions. Avoid overfeeding to prevent your cat from becoming obese, as obesity may lead to breathing difficulties and panting.

• Vaccination

Vaccinate your cat regularly as recommended by your vet against common infectious diseases such as feline distemper and feline nasal bronchitis, which may lead to breathing difficulties and panting.

• Regular medical check-ups

Take your cat to the veterinarian regularly for a comprehensive medical check-up to detect and treat potential health problems such as heart disease, respiratory disease and anaemia.

• Deworming

Regularly deworm your cat, both internally and externally, to prevent parasitic infections such as heartworm, roundworm, fleas, ticks, etc. These parasites may affect your cat's health and lead to symptoms such as panting.

• Avoid exposure to toxic substances

Keep toxic substances in your home, such as detergents, pesticides, and plants out of your cat's reach to prevent poisoning from accidental ingestion or contact, which can lead to respiratory distress and wheezing.

• Other Diseases

For example, anemia, pneumonia, excess fluid in the lungs or abdomen may also cause cats to pant. Medical attention is required to clarify the cause of the disease and treat accordingly, and the diet can be adjusted according to the specific disease, e.g., anemia may need to be supplemented with food rich in iron and protein, and pneumonia may require the provision of easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich food.

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