A Panting Cat: Possible Reasons
It’s a well known fact that dogs pant to control their body temperature. It’s rare for a cat to pant and most owners will notice it immediately.
In most cases there is no cause for concern however there is a chance your cat is panting because of a health problem.
It’s therefore advisable to keep an eye on your four-legged friend and perhaps even see a vet. In this article, we will explain why your cat may be panting and when you should be worried.
A cat pants when it's hot
Cats have very few sweat glands. At the same time they love to lie in the sun and doze in the summer. If the temperature is high enough, this can cause the body of the quadruped to overheat and the cat to pant to regulate its temperature.
You should always make sure that your cat has plenty of fresh water and a shady place in the summer as an alternative.
You should also be aware that cats can suffer heat stroke if the temperature is too high. In this case, your cat will not only pant, but will also suffer from other ailments.
In addition to panting, the following symptoms may indicate heat stroke in cats:
- Apathy
- Vomiting
- Hyperventilating
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Cramps
If you suspect that your pet has suffered heat stroke, you should immediately consult a vet.
A cat panting after physical exertion
Cats oversleep for a large part of the day and often give the impression that every movement is too much for them. But appearances are deceptive. Because despite their pronounced need for rest, cats love to romp around extensively.
Kittens are particularly playful and often tend to be completely exhausted. It is quite normal for your cat to pant after a physical exertion. Panting helps your cat to lower their body temperature.
If it seems like your cat is very agitated and in pain, we advise you to take your cat to the vet immediately.
A cat is panting due to fear and stress
In addition to heat and exertion, fear and stress can cause your cat to pant. After all, cats are extremely sensitive animals that are quickly sensitive to changes and anxiety in their environment.
There are many situations that can cause your cat to pant and be frightened and stressed, which can also make her pant. In addition to particularly pushy two- and four-legged roommates, these naturally include visits to the vet and moving with the cat.
Our tip for stressed and anxious cats
Basically, you should try to avoid stressful and scary situations for your cat not only because of the panting. However, of course this is not always possible. After all, you can't skip a planned move or an important visit to the vet, so your cat won't get stressed and start panting.
Nevertheless, you can support your four-legged friend in such a situation. We recommend that you use a dietary supplement of Shiimun Calm for your cat panting due to anxiety or stress.
This natural preparation contains selected ingredients, such as shiitake mushrooms, brewer's yeast and green tea, which help your cat to relax in a digestible way.
A pregnant cat panting at birth
If your quadruped is pregnant and the birth of the cubs is imminent, it is normal for your cat to pant. After all, the birth is very exhausting. In addition, the panting of your cat serves to induce labour.
Sometimes it is possible that a cat is still panting even hours after birth. This is normally no reason to worry. However, if the breathing of your four-legged friend still shows signs of abnormalities several days after birth, a veterinary examination is recommended.
The panting as a symptom of a cat disease
If your cat is panting due to one of the above causes, there is no need to worry. In addition, panting in these cases is only temporary and usually returns on its own after a few minutes. However, panting may also be a serious trigger for your cat and may be a sign of health problems.
In particular, heart diseases such as HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) often cause cats to pant. Other causes of panting include obesity, various infectious diseases such as cat flu or FIP, and overactive thyroid.
If your cat is panting regularly and other symptoms such as coughing, diarrhoea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight, fatigue or fever are also present, you and your pet should see a vet.
Panting in cats - our conclusion
As you can see, there can be many different reasons why your cat is panting. In most cases, panting is completely harmless, so you don't need to do anything else.
However, if you notice your cat panting and other symptoms, we recommend that you visit your vet as soon as possible. The vet can examine your pet and check whether your cat may be panting and need treatment due to an illness.
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