5 reasons why a cat breathes through its mouth

You may be concerned when your cat first begins to mouth breathe. It's normal to be concerned about your cat's mouth breathing, but the first question you may want to ask yourself is whether she is mouth breathing or acting differently. So, can cats breathe through their mouths?

Cats can breathe through their mouths, but this is not normal behavior. Cats should breathe smoothly and for a long time through their nose. Blocked nasal passages or serious medical conditions can lead to mouth breathing.

Don't worry. This article will explain why your cat may be mouth breathing, what you can do to help, and why your cat may start mouth breathing. Of course, since mouth breathing can be caused by some pretty serious health problems, if you're ever concerned about your cat's mouth breathing, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Why does a cat breathe through its mouth?

There are many reasons why your cat may start mouth breathing, although it is almost always a sign that something is wrong. Some problems are fairly easy to fix, such as your cat becoming overexerted while playing, while other problems may mean you need to see a veterinarian immediately.

Here are some common (mild) reasons why your cat may start mouth breathing:

Allergies (especially in spring or autumn)
Intense exercise
Asthma
Old age (especially in combination with any other factor)
Respiratory infections

With the exception of respiratory infections, all of these problems should be relatively easy to identify. If your cat has asthma, you must monitor her closely to prevent a mild attack from developing into a more serious problem.

If your cat has been playing too hard and is panting, you should stop playing and give her some time to relax and recover. See if your cat is interested in water or ice to help cool him down.

Allergies are more difficult to manage, but your cat can get better if you have an air filter. If your cat's allergies become more severe, you should take her to the vet to see what treatment options may be available.

If you don't think any of these options are the cause, you may be dealing with a more serious problem. There are many problems that can cause your cat to start mouth breathing, from a severe respiratory infection to a foreign body, throat or stomach damage, and a severe asthma attack.

The cause is less important than going to the vet for any of these problems. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose and treat the problem much more effectively than you can.

Professional opinion

A protruding tongue may indicate a relaxed cat.

No matter how touching an animal that shows its tongue may look, you should never forget about the danger. Scientists have repeatedly stated that today we strive to first capture everything unusual or funny that we see, and only then we begin to think about what it could mean.

First of all, a protruding tongue in a relaxed state means complete peace.
Secondly, this may indicate problems with heat exchange, and here it is necessary not to film what is happening on camera, but to take care of saving the pet from the heat.
Thirdly, and this is perhaps the most significant, any changes in the animal’s behavior, along with the unexpectedly emerging habit of sticking out its tongue, can indicate dangerous and contagious diseases. For example, an acute viral infection - rabies - is characterized precisely by the fact that the cat’s behavior becomes aggressive, it can run with its tongue hanging out like a dog, and there is profuse salivation. At this time, the animal poses a threat to everyone, because they have not learned how to treat this disease.

Californian researchers believe that in adulthood, a cat's tongue may not fit in its mouth due to diseases of the teeth, gums and oral cavity.

Veterinarians also agree that when you see a protruding tongue, you should not be moved and tell everyone what an interesting cat lives in the house, but first show it to specialists in order to rule out a number of diseases dangerous to the animal and people. The inspection will take a few minutes, and then, if everything is in order, you can continue to be touched.

How to tell if your cat has breathing problems

Your cat's mouth breathing may be a sign that she is having trouble breathing, but this is not always the case. For example, if your cat breathes through her mouth after playing and then starts breathing normally a few minutes later, she doesn't have a breathing problem. They just needed some oxygen for a few minutes.

But if your cat is acting strange, laying down and doesn't want to move, or has glazed eyes when breathing through its mouth, it probably has trouble breathing.

You should also check their gums and tongue to make sure they haven't changed color. Both should be a healthy pink color, but may turn gray or blue if your cat is having trouble breathing. If you notice that your cat's gums or tongue have started to change color, you need to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Sticking out tongue as a symptom of illness

The following reasons for cats sticking out their tongues are associated with a particular disease and require the intervention of a veterinarian:

Heart problems, heart failure. In case of severe heart pathologies, pulmonary edema may develop, which will cause difficulty breathing in the animal. In this case, the cat has to breathe with its stomach, while sticking out its tongue. But such complex diseases also have a number of specific symptoms that an attentive owner is unlikely to miss: loss of appetite, blue tint of the tongue and gums, wheezing when exhaling, loss of coordination and heart rhythm disturbance;
In case of kidney failure, the tongue may also stick out, for the same reason - difficulty breathing. But with this disease, completely different symptoms are observed: the urine has an ammonia smell, the same smell comes from the animal’s mouth, there is vomiting or diarrhea, the coat is in poor condition, severe weight loss;
Stomatitis, gingivitis or other inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa. The reason for the protruding tip of the tongue in this case is very simple - if the tongue is in its place, it touches the resulting wounds and ulcers and brings pain and discomfort to the cat. In such conditions, the cat also refuses to eat, because it simply hurts to eat;
Diseases of the respiratory system. This can be either a banal viral infection or, for example, allergic rhinitis, or more serious diseases that even threaten the life of the animal. For example, pneumonia. Symptoms of such diseases: cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, wheezing and fever;
Neoplasms in the oral cavity. These can be benign tumors of the tongue, palate, jaw, larynx, or malignant. Of course, the prognosis is more unfavorable for malignant neoplasms – cancer. With this diagnosis, a number of other symptoms are present: putrid breath, plaque on the tongue, hoarseness of voice, difficulty chewing and swallowing, the presence of wounds in the oral cavity;
A foreign object enters the respiratory tract, which also causes difficulty breathing. In this case, the cat may sneeze, cough, shake its head, or have copious discharge from the nose;
Injuries. In case of severe injuries, such as a dislocated jaw, etc., the cat drools profusely, has problems eating, and in some cases the cat not only has a protruded tongue, but also does not close his mouth;
Poisoning, which is accompanied by general intoxication of the body. There may also be vomiting, diarrhea, hyperthermia, drooling, loss of coordination;
Brain dysfunction. When a problem occurs in the part of the brain that is responsible for breathing, the cat may also sit with its tongue hanging out.

As you can see, a cat’s tongue sticking out is not always a symptom of something scary or strange. But you shouldn’t treat this negligently, watch your cat, the sooner you suspect the disease, the higher the chances of getting rid of it quickly and painlessly.

Why does a cat open his mouth?

Just because your cat's mouth is open does not mean she is mouth breathing. Make sure your cat's belly heaves when her mouth is open. They are probably mouth breathers anyway.

But sometimes a cat opens its mouth randomly, and sometimes leaves it open for a while before closing it.

Typically, when a cat leaves its mouth open, it is because it smells something interesting and is trying to get more of that smell in order to identify it. Your cat has important scent glands in her mouth, so opening her mouth helps carry scents to her most sensitive organs.

If you've ever seen a cat react to wings, where they open their mouth wide and make strange facial expressions, this is a more exaggerated form of smelling the air with these important scent glands.

When you don't need to worry

Heat. When it's too hot outside or at home, cats may experience shortness of breath. Not only people, but also animals suffer from too high temperatures. Pets also want fresh air and coolness. Despite the fact that cats love warmth, they do not tolerate excessive heat well.
Active games. Cats, especially at a young age, love to play a lot or just run around the apartment. They need to expend energy. After such cat training, the cat needs to bring its breathing back to normal. Wait a little and the animal will begin to breathe steadily again.
Childbirth. Rapid breathing through the mouth during childbirth is normal. At this crucial moment, the cat simply needs more oxygen than usual.

Fright. Strange breathing may be caused by fear or stress. Let your pet calm down.
Forgetfulness. Maybe you've noticed: sometimes cats go into their inner cat world and forget to close their mouths and hide their tongues. It looks funny, but the owner may get scared.
Relaxation while sleeping. Some animals sleep with their mouths open. This is rather a good sign. This means the cat sleeps very soundly and sweetly.
Thirst. Maybe you just forgot to pour water for your pet? Thirst can cause heavy breathing, especially in hot weather.

If unstable breathing is bothering your animal for any of these reasons, then there is no need to worry. Soon the cat will return to normal and begin to breathe calmly and evenly, as before. Your participation in troubleshooting the problem will only be needed in case of overheating. It will be necessary to help the animal cool down its body.

Why does a cat sound like he can't breathe?

There are many reasons why your cat may sound like he can't breathe. For example, if your cat is sleeping, she may simply be snoring. Allergies and mild sinus infections can also cause the nose to become partially blocked, making a whistling sound when breathing.

If your cat isn't showing signs of distress or looking like she's choking or choking, she's probably breathing. You should still check your gums to make sure they are breathing well.

If you're concerned about the sound your cat is making, even if her gums are still pink, it's a good idea to call your veterinarian. They will have a better understanding of what may be causing your cat anxiety and can use your description of the sound to decide whether you should bring your cat in for an examination.

How to treat shortness of breath in cats

Feline panting is simply the technical name for difficulty breathing in cats. It is usually not a disease in itself; instead, panting in cats is a symptom of other problems. The best treatment is to address the root cause of the problem.

Sometimes, such as with asthma, this may not be suitable for you or your cat. Instead, manage their symptoms with hydration support, air filters, and restrictive toys that force them to exercise too much.

Other cats may benefit from a combination of hydration support, limited scents, and a good diet. But if your cat is struggling to breathe or has even mild breathing problems for more than 10 to 15 minutes, you should contact your veterinarian for more specialized treatment.

How can I help my cat breathe better?

Sometimes there is little you can do to help your cat breathe better. For example, if your cat has a mild form of asthma, she will likely have trouble breathing from time to time, and unless you have a prescription for medication, there is little you can do.

However, there are a few simple things you can do to help any cat breathe better, although these solutions won't always help a cat who is already having difficulty breathing.

Avoid using diffusers, scented candles, and other products with an airy scent.
Buy an air filter
Make sure they have plenty of water