What Does Cat Panting Mean? Understanding Your Feline’s Breathing Patterns

Everyone knows that dogs pant. Just like barking, panting is something dogs do a lot. Did you know that panting works as a natural cooling mechanism for dogs, called thermoregulation? Well, now you do! But what about cats? Do cats pant as a means of cooling off? What does it mean when a cat pants? I’ll try to answer that as best I can. But first, is cat panting normal?

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Is it normal for a cat to pant?

Sure, it can be normal for a cat to pant. Obese, older or long-haired breeds like Himalayans, Persians and Main Coons tend to pant far more often than other cats. That’s why you may have heard people say that my cat is panting with mouth open. It is normal for cats in heat, labor, pain or sick to pant, but in healthy cats it isn’t normal or too common.

If you have a healthy cat who is panting, it’s important to ask two questions:

• What was happening right before and during your cat’s panting session?
• Once the situation was rectified or changed, did the panting stop?

Cats may pant from being too hot, stressed or during bouts of very strenuous play, however it is considered rare. If your cat is panting after playing, it should finish soon. If it doesn’t then your little feline friend may have a health problem. For whatever reason a cat is panting, one thing is for sure.

• It is always a sign that the present situation or condition must either stop or change in some way.

Furthermore, excessive or continuous panting should be viewed as a sign that something is not right with your cat, especially if your cat is not physically exerting itself, too hot or in a physically or emotionally stressful situation.

Why is my cat panting and meowing?

If your cat is panting and meowing incessantly it might be in heat. Panting is not a symptom of being in heat, but non-stop meowing is. However, female cats do get very excited when they are in heat. Female cats may want to get out of the house for obvious reason and the more excited they become, the more panting will occur. So, if your cat is panting and acting weird by wanting to be pet all the time, raising her tail high in the air in your direction, not eating and just plain making life hard, good luck. She is in heat.

Why is my cat panting with her mouth open?

Just like their canine friends, cats may pant with their mouth’s open due to overheating, stress or during and after strenuous exercise. But the panting should end soon enough once they have calmed down, cooled off or rested. Cats may pant with their mouths open for a variety of the following reasons:

1. stress
2. physical exertion
3. heat
4. in heat or labor
5. age
6. obesity
7. pain
8. serious illness

Do cats pant when stressed?

Yes, cats do pant when stressed and it can happen for a variety of reasons. Reasons which you must figure out. Have you just moved in a new cat or pet in the house? That can cause a lot of stress. Here are some question to ask which may help you to understand what is stressing your cat into panting: