We often see dogs panting and don’t assume that it is a cause for concern.
However, cats don’t tend to pant often. So what does it mean when they do? And is there anything you can do to calm your cat down when it happens?
If your cat is panting it is best to take a look at why this might be the case and then figure out if you need to act.
They are excited
Kittens can pant more than older cats. This is because they are learning to regulate their behaviour so may over exert themselves with excitement and then need to pant to calm down.
They’re hot
Outdoor cats in particular can use panting to cool down if it is hot outside. To cool down cats will sweat a little through their paw pads, lick their fur, get somewhere shady or find somewhere cool to lie down.
Stress or Anxiety
Cats may also become stressed if strangers visit your home or if there is a new pet in the house. Any major changes to your cat’s home environment could cause stress and trigger panting.
Breathing Issues
Does your cat cough as well as pant? They may have respiratory issues such as cat asthma or some form of bronchitis. Up to 5% of cats are thought to suffer from feline asthma.
Heart Problems
If your older cat is panting, this can be a sign of congestive heart failure. Heart disease in cats often goes undetected until disaster strikes.
Heartworm
Heartworm in cats can cause panting and other breathing issues. This is a disease that is more associated with dogs than cats but cats can still develop the illness.