Why Is My Cat Panting With Her Mouth Open
Panting is a common behavior for dogs, but it’s not something you see in cats. If your cat is panting with her mouth open, it may be because she’s hot or thirsty or because of an underlying medical problem. But there are other reasons why cats can pant as well. Here’s what you need to know about this strange behavior in felines:
Cats don’t pant like dogs.
If you’re concerned about your cat, there are ways to tell whether or not she’s panting for any reason other than being hot. For example, if you see her mouth open and hear a panting sound when she’s not in a warm area or during warm weather, it might mean that she’s suffering from something like heart or lung disease.
However, since cats are more prone to heat stroke than dogs are, panting is usually the result of extreme temperatures and humidity—and not necessarily a sign that something more serious is going on with your pet.
Cats who are hot and thirsty will open their mouths.
Cats who are hot and thirsty will open their mouths. Cats don’t sweat like humans do, so they can’t regulate their body temperature by sweating. Instead, they use a different method to stay cool: panting. Panting allows cats to exhale warm air and bring in cooler air that has been processed through the lungs. When cats are hot and panting heavily, they may also open their mouths because it helps them breath more easily; this is why you might see your cat yawning when he’s feeling extra tired or stressed out (yawns help cool down).
When it comes to heatstroke in cats, there are many factors that contribute—including obesity, flea infestation, heart disease or kidney disease—but if you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke or other ailments related to warm weather conditions (like dehydration), please contact your veterinarian immediately!
Cats sometimes pant when they have respiratory problems.
If your cat is panting and has other symptoms of a respiratory problem, such as coughing or difficulty breathing, she may have asthma. In this case, her mouth will be open because she needs more air to breathe. In some cases, cats with asthma also paw at their mouths while they’re breathing hard.
If your cat has trouble breathing after exercise or when you play with her too vigorously, it’s likely that she has both hyperthyroidism and heart disease. Panting is one of the ways that both conditions can cause symptoms in cats.
Cats may pant due to anxiety.
Some cats pant due to stress and anxiety. This can happen when you take them for a car ride, or if they are rescued from a shelter or hoarder and are being introduced into a new home. Some other things that may cause this behavior include:
- Being in pain
- Being sick
- Dehydration (from not drinking enough water)
Take your cat to the vet if she is panting.
If your cat has been panting but is otherwise acting normal, take her to the veterinarian. It’s always a good idea to have your pet examined if you are worried about her health – and despite the fact that cats often seem more independent than dogs, they still require regular check-ups to ensure that they’re healthy and happy.
If your kitty is panting excessively or seems unwell, take her to the vet as soon as possible.
If your cat is panting, it could be because she’s in pain or has some other medical issue. Take her to the vet right away if you notice that she is panting excessively. If she’s thirsty and hot, offer some cool water and make sure her litter box has enough litter. If your cat seems anxious or stressed out by something in particular (such as thunderstorms), try giving her a safe place to hide from it for a little while until the storm passes by.
