Why Is My Cat Panting After Playing? What You Should Know!

Causes of Cat Panting

When attempting to identify why your cat is panting after playing, it is vital to consider the surrounding circumstances. If your cat is typically sedentary and has just spent thirty minutes chasing a laser pointer, it is likely fatigued and the panting should subside.

Causes of your cat’s excessive or abrupt panting include:

1. Heat

Cats are adept at maintaining their own body temperature, although they can become overheated, especially after engaging in vigorous play or exercise. Cats may perspire through glands in their paws, but under extreme heat, they can pant to dissipate heat by evaporation.

It is uncommon to observe a cat panting because they have been overheated due to the ambient temperature. Typically, they will seek out a cooler location to avoid this from occurring. Following exercise, the likelihood of sighing increases.

2. Stress

It is more likely that a cat will pant as a result of stress than due of heat. If your cat has been playing with another cat, a dog, or a toy that they find particularly aggravating, this may be the problem. It might also be triggered by discomfort or an incident that occurred while they were playing.

3. Asthma

Asthma arises when the bronchi, the tiny air passageways of the respiratory system, become irritated. It might hinder your cat from inhaling the necessary amount of air.

In this instance, your cat’s panting is an attempt to inhale more air. As with humans, asthma may affect cats, and it can be induced by activity, allergen exposure, or stress.

4. Heartworm

Heartworms are microscopic parasitic worms that inhabit cats’ lungs and hearts. Additionally to causing panting, heartworms can also induce asthma and coughing. If your cat is exhibiting symptoms, you must seek veterinarian care immediately to avert a catastrophic outcome.

5. Heart Problems

Heart failure is a prevalent condition in cats, notably young cats and kittens. Symptoms include panting because limited blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen flowing throughout the body.

In addition to fast breathing, you may see your cat’s gums turning a pale blue tint. If your cat is suffering from cardiac issues, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.

6. Respiratory Disease

In addition to panting, your cat may also be coughing, sneezing, and wheezing due to an upper respiratory infection, which is comparable to the human flu and has similar symptoms to a cold.

Unlike the average cold, an upper respiratory infection can develop into a far more dangerous condition.

7. Pain

Panting may indicate that your cat is experiencing pain or discomfort. This is more likely to occur after play than at other times, and it may indicate that your cat had an injury during play.

Consider further indicators, such as limping or excessive licking and grooming of a particular region.

What to Do

If your cat is panting after exercise, keep an eye out for any other signs they may be exhibiting and observe them closely. It is uncommon for a cat to pant after playing, but it might have been caused by a particularly strenuous session or the fact that your cat does not normally engage in physical activity.

If your feline companion exhibits indications of potential diseases such as heartworm, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Conclusion

Some cats like playing and will play until they are exhausted. However, it is uncommon for a cat to pant after playing in the same manner as a dog.

Panting may indicate a secondary issue, such as asthma, or something more serious, such as heartworms or a heart ailment. Consider any other symptoms, see a veterinarian if you are worried, and observe your cat to guarantee its health.

We hope with “Why Is My Cat Panting After Playing? What You Should Know!” on BestForPets (bestforpets.org) you may discover more about your cat’s health as well as what to do if your companions experience pain after playing.