Why Does My Cat Pant After Exercise?

Everybody knows that dogs are famous for panting, but cats pant too. Panting is different from regular breathing in that the air is moved quickly through the large airways, and relatively little oxygen is absorbed by the blood. Although a panting cat may simply be exhausted or overheated, she may also be displaying one of the first signs of some serious conditions, and you should consult a veterinarian.

  1. Symptoms

    • Cats pant the same way dogs do. They often lay down and open their mouth wide, while their tongue curls down and pulses back and forth with each breath. They do not drool like dogs do when they pant, and their sides may heave with the effort of each outgoing breath.

    Causes

    • Most commonly, a panting cat is simply tired and overheated, especially after periods of intense play. Cats cannot sweat, so panting helps to lower their body temperature. However, extended panting episodes are a sign of distress, often with roots in cardiac, respiratory or thyroid disease. Arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and hyperthyroidism all present with panting as an early visible symptom.

    Diagnosis

    • If your cat begins panting after a period of frenzied activity, she is most likely overtired. If the panting lasts longer than five minutes or so, she may need to see the vet. The vet will measure her respiration, heart rate and capillary refill time, and likely run diagnostic blood work to determine organ function. If she suspects a heart or lung problem, she may recommend an ultrasound or X-ray to check for fluid or enlarged organs.

    Treatment

    • If you think your cat is just overheated and tired, just allow her to sit comfortably in a cool, quiet spot for a few minutes, and she will usually calm down on her own. If she is extremely overheated, applying rubbing alcohol to the pads of her feet and the tips of her ears will help cool her down, as will a bowl of fresh ice water and circulating air. If the vet has determined the panting to be a sign of a more serious condition, treatment depends upon the underlying cause, and will likely include rest and medication.

    Prognosis

    • Overheated cats recover just fine most of the time, unless temperatures are high enough to cause heat stroke, in which case, she will either lose consciousness or show sign of extreme distress such as loud vocalizations, stumbling and weakness. Heat stroke requires emergency veterinary attention. If a serious underlying condition is to blame for the panting, the prognosis can vary. Thyroid issues are usually resolved with lifelong medication, while heart failure and lung disease are generally fatal. If you are at all unsure about why your cat is panting, it is best to see your vet.