If you are looking for some fun and adventure in a new pet, a cat can be a wonderful choice.
When you have a cat in your home, you get used to some of the crazy antics that they can get into. Whether it is running through the house at top speed for no reason, attacking your socks on the floor, chasing lint and fuzzies through the air, scratching the couch to pieces, or lying in the sun for hours on end, cats can bring a lot of fun into our lives.
Typically, cats enjoy a life of eating, playing, sleeping, and grooming – they are loyal and loving and seen as wonderful companions.
Cats can easily live long and healthy lives with proper nutrition, exercise, water, and care. Although not often susceptible to a lot of illnesses, cats can become ill. If your cat is acting differently than normal, pay attention to the symptoms.
One symptom that cat owners should pay particular attention to is if your cat is panting. Panting behavior is not seen as often with cats as dogs, so it is important to take note. Here are some ideas as to what to check out if you notice that your cat is panting.
Cats Panting
Normal Panting
When cats pant, it can be for several reasons, and not all of them concerning.
Although it is not as typical for a cat to pant as much as it is for dogs, if your cat has been running through the house, or been racing around outside on a hot day, they can use panting to calm down and cool off.
In this instance, it is not abnormal to see your cat with its mouth open and breathing heavily.
Asthma
Cats, just like people, can have respiratory issues. Some cats contract allergies that can cause them to have trouble breathing or catching their breath if they have been running around. Once the cat stops moving, they should return to a more normal breathing pattern once they settle down.
During this time, you can help them to slow down their breathing with calm talking and gentle petting. This should help to slow down their breathing.
Some cats need medicine to assist them when they have breathing, similar to a breathing treatment for people. If you are concerned that your cat may have asthma, it is important to reach out to the vet.
Heartworm
Another illness that can cause panting with cats is heartworm. Just like dogs, cats can contract heartworm, which is a very serious illness.
If you suspect that your cat has heartworm, it will need ongoing treatment and medication from your veterinarian.
If your cat likes to spend time outdoors, ensuring that they have heartworm preventative medication can protect your cat from heartworm, which in some cases, can be deadly.
Congestive Heart Failure
Another medical issue that can occur in cats is congestive heart failure. When this happens, fluid builds up around the heart which can cause your cat to pant.
This is a serious illness that needs to be managed carefully to ensure that your cat remains healthy. Sometimes steroids are used to help ease the distress and uncomfortableness of this condition.
Respiratory Illnesses
There are numerous other illnesses that can cause panting with cats.
It is important to pay attention any time your cat has new breathing symptoms, as some of them need to have antibiotics to treat them.
If your cat has been playing and it triggers unusual breathing symptoms, you may still want to bring in your cat for a physical to ensure that it is not a medical condition that needs treatment.
Bottom Line
If you notice your cat struggling to breathe, panting, or other new respiratory symptoms, be sure to monitor them closely.
Usually, panting behavior is just a sign of high levels of activity, but you want to be sure that there is nothing else going on. If the panting goes away quickly or is only after exercise, there is not usually a reason to worry. If you notice that your cat is panting more frequently, it is probably time to call your vet.
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