Why Is Your Cat Panting Excessively?

Panting is not a "normal" thing for cats to do, such as it commonly is for dogs. It can be more common in certain breeds of cat, however if you notice your cat panting, you should try to figure out why in case something is seriously wrong.

Panting Due to Stress

Cats are animals that have a wide range of personalities. As such, some cats are higher-strung or more prone to anxiety or being stressed out than others. Panting can be a sign that your cat is stressed and upset. You may notice if you go for a car ride, your cat will begin to pant because he is fearful about being in the car. Likewise, going to the vet, being around unfamiliar animals or in unfamiliar places can all cause panting.

In cases of stress, fear or anxiety, panting in of itself is not harmful. However you ought to try to calm your cat down and remove him from the stressful situation.

Respiratory Problems

While panting because of psychological reasons is one thing, there are a number of reasons to be concerned about panting. Cats can pant if they're having a hard time breathing, and this can be a sign something is seriously wrong. Keep an eye out for added symptoms, such as:

Panting as a result of being unable to breathe can be a sign of respiratory distress or disease. This would include blockages in the nasal passages or the mucous membranes.

Respiratory infections could also be the cause, as well as asthma, cancer, or hemorrhaging within the lungs.

Cardiovascular Problems

In addition to respiratory problems causing panting, cardiovascular, or heart, problems are also a culprit. Check your cat for heart worms if your vet suspects the panting might be related to them. Heart worms in cats do not actually attack the heart, but rather the lungs (unlike in dogs where they actually do attack the heart). Cardiovascular muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) is another thing your vet will check for.

Hematological Problems

Hematological, or blood, problems can cause panting. When diseases or bacteria reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood, this can trigger panting as the cat is over-compensating to get more oxygen into its system.

Severe anemia can cause this, as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. Excessive carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercapnia) can be a result of kidney problems, diarrhea, or shock.

Other Causes of Panting

There are a number of other things that can cause your cat to pant. Miscellaneous causes include:

  • Excessive heat / heat stroke
  • Fever
  • Neurological disorders
  • Nerve disorders associated with diabetes
  • Cushing's Disease

When to Take Your Cat to the Vet

If you know your cat is panting because he is in an unfamiliar situation, try calming him down and removing him from whatever is stressing him to see if the panting ceases. If it does not, you should call your vet and inform her of what other symptoms, if any, your cat is displaying to see if a vet trip is in order.

However if you aren't sure the cause behind your cat's panting, you should take them in right away as many diseases that can cause panting can be fatal.

 

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