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?
Cats typically don’t breathe through their mouths. A cat’s normal breathing rhythm should be quite smooth with a normal rate being 15 to 30 breaths per minute on average.
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.
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.
This could be because they associate the vet with pain or because the way they have gotten there is stressful, e.g., in a carrier or in a car if they don’t often leave the house.
Up to 5% of cats are thought to suffer from feline asthma. Like humans, cat asthma can be controlled but major attacks can be life-threatening.
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.
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