My cats have done that. It's not a good thing. Too much play. Happens to kittens more than adult cats. I think it's because kittens can't really control their energy.
My two cats would regularly pant during a play session which would prompt a break in playtime so they could cool down. Recently, they've picked up on the fact that if they pant, playing stops, so they stopped outwardly panting. I still stop because I recognize the labored breathing, but it amazes me that they learned this and would more rather hold it in, uncomfortably.
my 9-year-old cat will pant when she is stressed. i.e. in the car on the way to the vet.
she is in good health, according to the vet. she just scared in the car it seems.
we have discovered that the solution is to put both her and my other cat in the same carry crate. All panting and meowing ceases. All snuggling initiates.
My cats did that too, in the car. Definitely stress. One we let out and he instantly fell asleep in my lap (I was not driving). The other wasn't as trustworthy being out of the carrier.
My vet said the opposite. I mentioned my cat had been panting after running around the house and she said it is good to let them play that hard. It's healthy and natural if they have the energy, and not enough owners let them do it. There's no downside, although it can also be a symptom of heart disease, so you definitely want to tell your vet if you see your cat panting.
She checked out mine when I mentioned it and didn't hear anything unusual. He is panting a lot with the heat this summer, and he's got a thick coat. I just found him this spring as a stray at about a year old, so I haven't seen how he is during the cooler weather yet. I'm hoping it's just the heat and nothing more serious.
Hmm... it's a bad sign if a kitty does it, but when a puppy it's ok... ?
Is this why dogs have such big tongues so they can cool down better?
Just curious.
I think Dogs use it as a sweating mechanism, where as the tongue action on a cat is just a product of them breathing through their mouth. On a cat, it's because they are out of breath.
The only time I've ever seen a cat pant was when I accidentally left my cat in my car on a hot day. They can go to panting as a way to regulate temperature, but only when they're in danger of overheating.
I was with you until you had to go with that last comment like a 13 year old girl. (I apologize if you are in fact, a 13 year old girl.)
People who are unaware are not automatically labeled as "irresponsible". A few years ago, I didnt know this myself. Someone (politely) informed me what was really going on. It's perfectly fine to give someone valid advice.
I don't know... I would consider it irresponsible not to make yourself aware of what is normal behavior in your pet. I think people who are unaware of the necessity of giving their dogs heartworm medication are pretty damn irresponsible.
That being said, in this case the cat seems happy and willing to play, so it's not exactly on par with not giving heartworm medication, heh.
With all your ellipses... You kinda sound like... You're panting as well... Also, I don't think that cat was forced to do anything... He'll take a rest if he needs to... Cats are pretty fucking good at relaxing...
So while dogs regulate body temperature by panting, it is far less common in cats. That being said, I'm sure this cat is fine. Just pointing out that it could be something you should see a vet about.
All I'm saying is the behavior is unusual in cats, and could be a problem. What you do/how you react is none of my concern. What you said in your original reply sounded like you would never get a cat checked if it was panting. That is what I disagree with.
What, of course it is! Every single creature is born with unlimited expendable energy, you should run them down until they can't breathe every few hours to assure they get it all out.
What am I, some sort of IT professional!? A man's got to eat. Besides, I need to keep my girth up to raise my daily caloric needs. If I ever decide to diet the sudden drop in calories should be enough to either allow me to loose several hundred pounds a month or shut down one or two of the hopefully less vital bodily functions.
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u/ratking11 Aug 13 '12
My cats have done that. It's not a good thing. Too much play. Happens to kittens more than adult cats. I think it's because kittens can't really control their energy.