Panting Cats

[Ben E Gas]

I read in another post that someone's cat was panting after a play session. Zezu does that too, when I gather all his toys and just start throwing them around. He chases them til I stop throwing. Then he sits up on the window sill panting. Is this normal?

[nsweezie]

My cat Clyde does the same thing, he plays so hard that he pants just like a dog would when he is done.
I asked my vet about this, and he said that it certainly isn't unheard of, it may just mean that the cat has tired themselves out. If the cat is otherwise healthy and active it isn't a problem

[Fuzzy317]

I think I heard once that panting is how dogs help to regulate their body temperature. Cats panting after play may have the same effect.

[4 feline house]

Black cats will pant in the sun, too, because they heat up more quickly. As long as it's just from play or exertion, and not from heat or no identifiable source, I wouldn't worry.

[Ben E Gas]

Thanks, I think it was on an 80 degree day. Also during play.

[wolflady]

Fuzzy is absolutely right. It's not often that I see my cats pant, but when I have it has been after lots of exertion or from a fever (Marius's reaction to some shots recently). Since cats and dogs do not have sweat glands (aside from those on their feet), they cannot perspire to cool their bodies down like we do. Instead, they take in air harder (pant) to cool themselves. By panting, the warm air in their bodies is exchanged by the cooler outside air. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[aly]

Shiloh pants but not after playing hard. She'll pant when she's extremely nervous. She did this the first 4-5 times she had to take a ride in the car. Also when she smells something weird, she will breathe with her mouth open. Its sort of funny to watch now but when she first started doing it, I FREAKEd out thinking something was really wrong.

[Troy]

...Also when she smells something weird, she will breathe with her mouth open...

I have sometimes noticed mine doing this, he has his mouth just slighty open and seems to breath the air in over his tongue making a slight noise (I have managed to replicate this sound by making quick gentle breaths through my mouth whilst my tongue is touching the roof of my mouth http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif - why did I do this? I don't know I just put it down to "cat owner" behaviour)...anyway, apparently cats have extra "smelling glands" inside their mouth that they sometimes use to further analyse smells they might encounter...

[Gio]

Troy,

mine do the same.

[Maresche]

I think the through the mouth smelling in called Phleming (spelling?). It sounds terrible, but cats do have an extra scent organ in the roof of their mouth. Males do this a lot when they're trying to track down a female in heat.
I've only ever had one cat that panted and that too was only in car rides (usually on the way to the vet's). Tabis would just sit in my lap and pant and drool all over me. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[Ben E Gas]

Poor Zezu. Last night, It was so hot in my apartment. I started to play with him. Throwing his toys back and forth. Not even five minutes into it. He jumped up to the window and began panting. Then He jumped down and began hacking like he was going to lose his dinner. He held it back though. I brought him some water and he seemed fine. Luckily it began to cool down just a bit at night with the fan in the window. The owner of my building hasn't turned on the central A/C yet. Poor Z, is in the apartment right now. I can't wait to get home to comfort him. Thank god it's only supposed to be in the 60's tomorrow.

The turtles love this hot, humid weather. I know Zezu hates it.

My fishtank is over 86 degrees now and the airator is broken. So I'm sure the fish aren't too comfy.

I'm not sure if the birds like it or not. I think their original habitat is in Vietnam. So they may be OK.

My poor friends are suffering at home while I'm in a nice airconditioned office.

I'll be home soon guys!! Stay Strong!!

------------------
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/027/Ra/IX/oN/Dz70374.jpg
Igor Inc. (c)2001

[nsweezie]

I noticed the same thing today, it is really hot here in Nova Scotia for this time of the year. (30C- not sure what that is in farenhight, but it usually never gets hotter than 35 in summer)
Clyde was once again running around, and got overheated, and started panting.

[LuvCatz]

http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/eek.gif The panting could be a sign of serious dehydration. Make sure your cat gets plenty of liquids and if you find the cat is not drinking then you will need to have the vet inject liquids intraveniously. We had to do this with our kitty who was shriveling up to skin and bones right before our eyes. We only had to do it twice before we discovered ''cat sip'' a milk product that she loves and drinks all the time now.

[4 feline house]

Gee, I thought those of us in Hell - I mean, TEXAS were the only ones that have to run the A/C this early. Actually, it's been unseasonably cool here, and not nearly as muggy as our springs usually are. We've barely hit the low 80's so far, and by now it's usually at least in the upper 80's, if not low 90's. Three years ago on my birthday it got up to 100!

[Pam]

Ben...Sure hope all of your pets were OK today. We actually started running the a/c a little early this year for the pets' comfort while we're away! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif How's that for being spoiled? Actually we have just had 2 record breaking days here....92 yesterday and 90 today. A little early for this type of weather here in the Philadelphia area.

[4 feline house]

If it will make y'all feel better, cats and dogs both can tolerate (and prefer) higher temperatures than us humans, as long as there is ventilation (and/or a good fan), plenty of fresh water, no direct sunlight, and they aren't stressed, ill, or over-exerted. It might be a good time to decrease the exercise until the A/C comes on. They also acclimate more quickly and better than us humans, too. As long as the temperature isn't extreme or the change too sudden, it isn't too stuffy or sunny in their room, they aren't ill, they are well watered, and they are at rest, they will be fine, even comfortable.

[Ben E Gas]

Thank you all for your support. Zezu and the gang were fine. Zezu is in a much better mood today as the cloud cover moved in. He's been carrying his milk jug ring around all morning.

As for being dehydrated. I don't think that is the problem as Zezu loves water. He gets drinks from me while I'm shaving and in the shower. As well as his own water dish. Also, When ever I spray the spray bottle he runs up to it and puts his mouth on the nossle and paws at it until I spray him. I also sprayed mist in front of the fan and Zezu just loved that.

The turtles and birds love the hot weather. I'll be nervous about them when I actually have the A/C on.

Now the fish probably were miserable as the thermometer in the tank was off the charts yesterday.

thanks again,
Ben

[felixowner]

felix has been doing quite a bit of panting lately. he got to go outside for the first time (his one year old birthday present, after he's patiently watched S go out in the evenings and not been allowed to follow her). he was so excited he couldn't stop running around the yard, under the bushes, etc. he would stop to pant from excitement and nervousness, then get right back to his explorations. S was very good and kept an eye on him.

[Ben E Gas]

Did you have him on a leash?

[felixowner]

no leash. so far they have both been extremely well behaved, never going farther than my yard. mostly they like to sit on the porch and watch me do yard work. but i know there is a danger. i tried to use a leash with my previous cat halley, and every time i put it on him he immediately rolled over onto his back and refused to move. these cats might be different though. so now that you mention it i'll give the leash a try.

[Ben E Gas]

I haven't even got past the harness yet. Zezu just rolls around and looks sad. So I take it off pretty quickly. I made the mistake of not making him wear a collar when he was a baby. He hates those too.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Edwina -- who absolutely HATES being groomed -- tolerates a harness and leash. She has never worn a collar either. I'm not suggesting she LIKES the harness but she knows the only way she can go out in the yard is if she has it on. Very dramatic about it. Walks like a hunch back -- which she forgets to do when she see something interesting to investigate or run toward (or if noone is paying attention). Even though the yard is fenced and someone is with her, I feel better if I can a) catch her, b) see where she is by the trailing leash and c)hear the bell I attached to her harness.

[I_love_cats]

Yes, it is normal. Sabrina, she pants when she is playing and running around. I took my male cat to the vet and it was really hot and sunny and Joey started panting in his carrier. We had to throw some water in his face to cool him down.

[maxx's mom]

Maxx pants like a dog when she is hard at play with her laser pointer or her furry mice. At first I thought it was strange, but I also read on Pet Talk that it is perfectly normal.

[iluvmicho]

my kittie,micho,doesn't pant.maybe zezu is overweight (not to be mean)or dehydrated.i've had alot of kitties in my life and none of them ever pant.does zezu have long hair?he may be hot.i have no
idea