Q: Do cats also pant when it’s hot?
A: Panting can be a normal response in cats who are overheated, stressed or anxious, or after strenuous exercise. It usually resolves once the cat has had a chance to cool down or rest.
However, panting in cats under the abovementioned circumstances is rarer than it is with dogs, so unless you are sure of the cause, it is worth consulting your veterinarian for further assistance.
Panting has been shown to be associated with an underlying cardiovascular disease. Chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchial disease can also cause a cat to pant. Blood disease can be a possible cause in some cases when there is a low blood count (anaemia) or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Diseases of the nervous system can also affect the respiratory centre in the brain due to brain trauma, brain tumours or dysfunction of the muscles of respiration. Other less common causes include drug poisoning, high altitude, or abdominal pressure due to pregnancy or fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Signs to look out for when your cat is struggling to breathe include open-mouth breathing, wheezing, laboured breathing (with increased abdominal effort) and an increased rate of respiration.
Cats might pant when stressed or anxious, for example during a vet visit, and in some cases these panting episodes also involves severe salivation. If your cat is panting and you cannot figure out why, watch her closely.
Spontaneous panting could be a sign of something more serious. If the panting is accompanied by a bright red tongue, heavy drooling, weakness, diarrhoea or vomiting or bleeding from the nose, call your veterinarian immediately for further diagnostic evaluation.
Dr Letitia Swartz, veterinarian
