My cat Joker does this really strange thing sometimes when he sniffs the surface of something....he comes up with his mouth open and tongue half hanging out. He looks like a panting dog... this goes on for several seconds until he licks his lips and then resumes breathing normally through his nose. It's weird because I can't seem to find a connection with the reason behind it. I first noticed him do it last year when he sniffed the surface of my black Ikea end table..I originally thought it was something on the table so I cleaned the surface off, but then I caught him doing it again the next day. So periodically I will see him do this and it doesnt look like it's bothering him, so I never really looked into it. Over the weekend I just moved into a new place which is mostly carpeted. Joker has been doing this more frequently since we arrived. I'm curious....
Anyone know why cats do this??...could it be his nasal passage gets blocked from dust like humans get stuffy noses??? (just a guess)