What's going on if a kitten keeps opening its mouth?

A kitten that keeps opening its mouth may be doing so to cool down in hot weather. Secondly, it could be due to a respiratory illness, such as a cold or feline upper respiratory tract infection, which causes congestion in the nasal cavity, forcing the kitten to breathe through its mouth. Additionally, if the kitten has oral diseases like stomatitis or mouth ulcers, it may open its mouth and drool due to pain.

1. Hot weather

Because cats have underdeveloped sweat glands and poor heat dissipation capabilities, when the weather is hot or the surrounding environment is warm, they will use mouth breathing to cool down. This is normal, and owners don't need to worry. Just move the cat to a shady and well-ventilated place to rest and provide plenty of water.

1. Respiratory illness

If the cat opens its mouth along with symptoms like running nose and sneezing, it might have a respiratory illness, such as a cold or feline upper respiratory tract infection. The cat's nose is blocked by mucus, so it has to breathe through its mouth. This is a serious condition and requires immediate attention from a veterinarian.

1. Oral disease

If the cat has an oral disease like stomatitis or mouth ulcers, it will open its mouth to alleviate the pain. It may also have bad breath, drool, and lose its appetite. Therefore, owners can gently pry open the cat's mouth to check for swollen gums or ulcers, and seek medical attention promptly.