Is your cat panting? What that says about their health can help you save them

Owning a cat is a wonderful experience — even if you literally have no idea what they’re thinking at any moment. Are they looking at me because they like me? Or because they’re judging my outfit and my morals?

Despite the fact we’ll likely never be able to get into the minds of our feline friends (?), that doesn’t stop us caring for them. Knowing as much as you can about their behaviour, dietary needs and what stimulates them are all key factors in keeping them happy and healthy, as well as understanding when they are asking for help.

In the summer months, just like you and I, assuming it’s you reading this article, Whiskers, the heat can be a danger for your feline friend.

To regulate body temperature in the hotter months, cats sweat similarly to humans. This sweat, unlike ours, evaporates only from their paw pads, creating a cooling effect. However, since their paw pads only cover a very small surface area of their body, this method offers only limited cooling. As a result, cats rely on other ways to cool down more effectively.

You may have seen your cat panting, like a dog. If so, you need to keep a close eye on them. This is not heat regulation — it’s potentially much more serious.

Cats, unlike dogs, rarely pant. When they do, it’s usually a sign of severe stress, difficulty breathing, or dangerous overheating.

Panting has no relation to cooling down in cats, and it often signals that something is seriously wrong. If your cat is panting, it may need urgent help to regulate its temperature, calm down, or breathe properly — don’t ignore it.

To cool them down, you can do a variety of things, including: placing a fan next to them, refreshing their water bowl or giving them a rinse with cool water.

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Of course, taking them to your local vet is the best option, as they will be able to diagnose any problems that your cat is suffering from, and offer advice on how to help.

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