Cat panting why

Cats do not sweat through their pores that are all over their bodies. Instead, they experience minor sweating through the pads on the bottom of their paws.

That being said, it is not that common to see a cat walking around panting like a dog. Cats need to pant to regulate their body temperature by releasing heat. Cats have tiny sweat glands on their paw pads and between their toes.

However, their paws are small; they cannot regulate their whole body temperature just through that small surface area. So, if they are really hot, cats need to pant to get rid of excess heat via evaporation. This is not something you will commonly see a cat do, though. They are built for adapting to being in outdoor climates and seek shade and shelter to prevent themselves from overheating in the sun. More commonly than heat panting, you will see a cat pant out of stress.

This is an important sign to watch for so you can take action to remove your cat from the stressful situation. Get your cat out of the car as soon as possible if they are panting. If your cat is drooling excessively or seems weak, get them in to see the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The most important way you can help your cat if they are stressed in the car is to keep them as cool as possible and try to reduce their stress. If your cat is panting and struggling, call your vet on the way to ask them to help you get into a quiet room ASAP to help your cat calm down quickly. Planning ahead is the best way to keep your cat comfortable and safe.

Some cats do well with a pheromone spray, a natural calming treat, or prescription calming medication before a car ride. Open the windows or turn on the air conditioning before placing your cat and their carrier in the car.

Position the front of the carrier near the air conditioning vents to make sure the cat is feeling some cooling airflow. Cats can have underlying heart issues , even at a young age. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Privacy Policy. Create an account.

Password recovery. Catwatch Newsletter. Home Behavior Panting a Cause for Concern. If you see persistent panting, contact your veterinarian. Andi Edwards iStock. The Cat-Human Bond. Consider what your cat was doing or experiencing immediately before you noticed the panting. Like dogs, cats may pant when they are overheated, stressed and anxious, or after strenuous exercise. This sort of panting should resolve once the cat has had an opportunity to calm down, cool down or rest.

That being said, this sort of panting in cats is much more rare than it is in dogs. In this case, emergency veterinary care may be required. Asthma can cause cats to pant, wheeze, and cough, and can also cause increased respiratory rate. Asthma is treatable in cats and often involves medications called corticosteroids or bronchodilators. Heartworm in cats can cause breathing difficulties. Treatment for heartworm includes supportive care with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and oxygen therapy in more serious cases.

Because heartworm disease can be fatal, it is important to keep your cat on a monthly heartworm preventative. When fluid accumulates in and around the lungs, it can cause deep, rapid breathing, coughing, and panting.