Is My Cat... Panting?

Your cat’s mouth is open, tongue slightly out, and they’re taking short, shallow, audible breaths. They may even have their head hung low, as if they’re searching for better quality air to breathe. This, for a cat, qualifies as panting. Panting is your cat’s way of telling you that something’s really not OK, although there are a few instances in which open-mouth breathing isn’t a cause for concern. Here’s what you need to know.

Why do cats pant?

“Cats don’t actively pant to cool off like dogs do,” says Dr Gary Weitzman, CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, and author of National Geographic Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (2019). “However, cats may pant for a short period of time when they have engaged in heavy play or other physical activity, if they are stressed, anxious or overheating.”

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1. Exercise and overheating

It’s rare for a cat to run around so much that they lose their breath or overheat, but sometimes a cat might pant after an intense play session or a serious case of the zoomies. (Exercise-induced panting is generally seen in young cats, and is short-lived.) Very hot weather might also cause a cat to pant. If any episode of activity causes your cat to pant, you definitely need to see a vet for an assessment of the heart and lungs.

2. Stress, fear and anxiety

Though rare, some cats react to extreme stress or fear by panting. You might see this when transporting your cat by car (especially to the vet), so getting your cat used to their carrier as a safe place for them is essential, and remember to keep the car cool.

3. Illness

“Spontaneous, excessive panting and other symptoms are most likely tied to an underlying disease,” says Dr Weitzman. “This type of panting can last a longer time, which should be a trigger to have your cat checked by a vet.” Common medical issues that may cause panting include upper respiratory infections, asthma, tumours, diabetes, congestive heart disease and pain.

What should I do if my cat is panting?

If you see your cat panting after heavy play or a stressful encounter and it goes away after a few minutes, it’s probably not a big deal. As long as their tongue remains a healthy pink colour throughout, you know they are getting enough oxygen, but any change to pale pink or even purple means you need to see a vet. If something is upsetting your cat, you can try to remove them from the situation and see if it improves. Likewise, if your cat’s panting because they’re too hot, Dr Weitzman advises bringing them to a cool place with air conditioning or a fan and offering plenty of cool water.

The panting that you should really pay attention to is the kind that starts and does not stop, or happens frequently and/or repeatedly. Loud panting or wheezing, rapid breathing over 40 breaths in a minute, or pale/bluish tongue and gums all indicate this could be life-threatening. You will need to contact your vet right away, but also need not to stress your cat out further as you take them in. Keep them cool and calm, and ideally keep them safely in a basket – stressed cats jumping out of a moving car is no joke.

“Your vet may take lifesaving measures right away, such as oxygen therapy, before conducting an exam with multiple tests, including a blood panel,” says Dr Weitzman. “If the cat’s symptoms seem less severe, your vet will examine the cat and order tests.” Depending on the diagnosis, your cat may need fluids, antibiotics, an asthma inhaler or even surgery. 

If your cat is panting, take it seriously. “It’s important to be vigilant, to ensure your cat’s panting doesn’t last more than a few minutes,” says Dr Weitzman. “If it does, contact your vet right away. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.”