Why do cats pant after playing? If you've ever been playing around with your cat you may have noticed them panting afterwards. While this may seem strange, as it is most commonly seen in dogs, cats panting is completely normal.
Just like their canine companions, cats pant to help themselves cool down. So if they've been working up a sweat while playing with one of the best cat toys, they may pant to help themselves cool off.
Our vet, Dr. Rebecca MacMillan weighs in on the reasons cats pant after playing, let's check them out.
Why do cats pant after playing?
Cats pant after playing to keep themselves from overheating. Cats only sweat through the paws, so cooling down can be harder for them especially if they are one of the longhaired cat breeds.
Dr. MacMillan says, " Panting encourages heat loss by drawing cool air in and expelling hot air back out, as well as the associated evaporation of moisture from the mouth and airways." If you notice your cat panting and they seem to generally be fine, it is probably nothing to worry about.
You'll want to be sure that your cat has access to fresh water and they have somewhere to rest where they can cool off. If you have one of the cat breeds that enjoys the outdoors, you may want to invest in one of the best outdoor cat enclosures to ensure they have a cool space to relax in.
When should worry about cats panting?
While cats panting is usually nothing to worry about, there a few instances where there may be something more going on. For example, if your cat is panting and it seems like they are struggling to breath, you need to see your vet right away.
Here are a few other reasons you'd want to make an appointment with a vet.
1. Health conditions
Panting can be a symptom of some of the most common illnesses that cats can get. Conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure, severe viral infections, anemia, and cancer, notes Dr. MacMillan
2. Heatstroke
This could more commonly be seen in cat breeds that are best for cold climates, but if your cat is overly hot, this may cause distressed panting. You will still want to be careful even if you have one of the best cat breeds for hot climates, as they can overheat too.
3. Stress or anxiety
Anxiety in cats is a very real thing and excessive panting may be a symptom of that. If you feel like your cat is stressed or anxious there are several ways to destress your cat that you can try out. Things like providing multiple litter boxes, lowering the volume of noises in the house, or even switching up their food can help.
Dr. MacMillan goes on to say, "If your cat is panting when they haven’t just been exercising, or if they have any other symptoms such as appetite changes, more respiratory effort (using their abdominal muscles to help breathe), and lethargy, this is abnormal."
Found this helpful? Check out How to be a good cat owner and 32 high maintenance cat breeds.
