What are the reasons for a cat to breathe with its mouth open?

A cat breathing with its mouth open can be divided into normal physiological reasons and pathological reasons. physiological reasons mainly include hot weather, intense exercise, and being scared, while pathological reasons mainly include colds, body injuries, and heart diseases. If you notice that your cat is breathing with its mouth open, it is recommended to take it to a pet hospital promptly for inspection. After confirmation, targeted treatment should be given to avoid worsening of the condition.

I. physiological reasons

1. Hot weather

Due to cats' poor heat dissipation capabilities, if the surrounding temperature is high, cats will dissipate heat through their mouths, resulting in breathing with their mouths open and sticking out their tongues. At this time, it is recommended that owners take their cats to shady and well-ventilated areas and provide them with plenty of drinking water to prevent heatstroke.

1. Intense exercise

After intense physical activity, cats' blood flow accelerates, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the lungs, so they breathe with their mouths open. This usually returns to normal after a brief rest. However, in summer when the weather is hot, owners should avoid letting their cats engage in strenuous activities to prevent heatstroke.

1. Being scared

Cats are naturally timid and easily scared. When they are frightened, they may breathe quickly with their mouths open. In this case, it is advised to gently stroke the cat to calm it down. Owners should also try to avoid causing scare to their cats.

II. Pathological reasons

1. Colds

If a cat breathes with its mouth open, accompanied by symptoms such as running nose and sneezing, it may be due to a cold. The cat's nose is blocked by mucus, making breathing difficult, so it breathes through its mouth to inhale more oxygen. If your cat shows this symptom, it is recommended to take it to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment.

1. Body injuries

① Ruptured diaphragm

If a cat's diaphragm ruptures, it can lead to difficulty breathing, so the cat breathes with its mouth open to inhale more oxygen to maintain the body's oxygen supply.

② Cracked upper palate

If a cat recently fell or was dropped, it may have suffered a cracked upper palate, making breathing difficult. The cat can only breathe with its mouth open and cannot close its mouth.

1. Heart diseases

Cats with heart disease are likely to have circulatory problems, leading to systemic hypoxia, and the manifestation is breathing with their mouths open. It is advised to take the cat to a pet hospital for inspection and treatment promptly.