Why do cats breathe with their mouths open?

Cats breathing with their mouths open may be caused by stress response, high environmental temperature, respiratory diseases, or heart diseases. First, when cats are scared or in a new environment, it can cause a stress response, manifesting as rapid breathing and opening their mouths to breathe. Secondly, high temperatures can also lead to high body temperatures in cats and cause breathing symptoms. In addition, if a cat has been diagnosed with respiratory or heart disease, these conditions may also cause breathing difficulties and mouth breathing. Therefore, if a cat exhibits frequent rapid breathing and mouth breathing, it's time to visit the vet.

Stress Response

Cats are naturally timid and suspicious, so after being frightened, they are prone to stress reactions, which can lead to open-mouth breathing, rapid breathing, and difficulty breathing. For example, suddenly changing the environment, hearing loud noises or other unfamiliar stimuli. If this is the case, owners need to take timely measures to alleviate their cats' nervous and scared emotions, such as gently stroking the cat or placing familiar items around them.

High Environmental Temperature

Since cats have underdeveloped sweat glands and find it difficult to cool off through perspiration, when the surrounding environment is too hot, they often exhibit behaviors such as panting and opening their mouths to cool off. In this situation, owners should promptly move their cats to a cooler location and provide plenty of drinking water to help them lower their body temperature and alleviate discomfort. Additionally, setting up a well-ventilated indoor environment, controlling indoor temperature and humidity, can maintain cats' comfort and health.

Respiratory Diseases

When cats have respiratory diseases, obstructions in the respiratory tract or other factors can cause airflow blockage, leading to difficulty breathing. To ensure their bodies get enough oxygen, cats will breathe with their mouths open to increase air intake. If you notice your cat frequently breathing with its mouth open, it's time to take it to the vet and treat the respiratory disease.

Heart Diseases

Cats with heart disease are likely to have circulatory problems, causing systemic hypoxia and manifesting as open-mouth breathing. Meanwhile, heart disease can also lead to complications such as pulmonary edema and pleural effusion, which can also cause breathing difficulties. Therefore, if a cat exhibits frequent rapid breathing and mouth breathing, it's essential to take it to the vet promptly for inspection and treatment of heart disease.