Mouth Breathing in Cats

While it is common for dogs to breathe through their mouths, mouth breathing in cats is usually an indication that something is wrong. It is a good idea to take your cat to the vet if you see it breathing through its mouth, as it may be a sign of a serious health problem.

  1. Typical Cat Breathing

    • Cats breathe an average of 20 to 30 times per minute, generally through the nose. If you notice your cat is breathing through its mouth, it is probably because the cells are not receiving the amount of oxygen they need. There are several causes for this, including a variety of medical conditions.

    URIs, Asthma and Bronchitis

    • A cat's body may not be getting enough oxygen because of diseases that affect the lungs, such as an upper respiratory infection, asthma or bronchitis. In these cases, the lungs are obstructed, either by a foreign object or swollen tissue, so that your cat cannot get the oxygen it needs. As a result, the cat breathes through its mouth in an attempt to get more air.

    Lung Problems

    • A serious condition known as pleural effusion can produce a similar effect. In this disease, the lining of the cat's lungs become filled with fluid, pressing on the walls of the lungs and reducing the amount of air the cat can inhale. Pleural effusion can be caused by fatty fluid that collects in the chest, infection in the chest or cancer of the lymph tissue.

    Heart Conditions

    • Mouth breathing may indicate a serious heart condition known as cardiomyopathy. In this disease, the heart muscle changes and makes the chambers of the heart either too large or too small, causing the cat's heart to malfunction. When this happens, the cat does not receive enough oxygen and may breathe through its mouth to make up for it.

    Accompanying Symptoms

    • Mouth breathing in cats is rarely an isolated symptom. If you notice your cat is breathing through its mouth, try checking the color of its gums or lower eyelids. If they are pale in color, your cat is not receiving enough oxygen. Other signs that sometimes accompany mouth breathing are voice changes, wheezing, gagging, heaving, snoring, weight loss and discharge from the eyes or nose.

    When to Be Concerned

    • Because of the serious conditions associated with mouth breathing, you should always take you cat to the vet if it is breathing through its mouth. However, mouth breathing does not always indicate a severe health problem. For example, it is normal for cats to breathe through their mouths during and after exercise. Pregnant cats in labor also pant rhythmically during contractions. Always check with your veterinarian if you have concerns.