Should I be concerned about heat stroke if my cat paces and pants all the time?
Asked a year ago
I live in a dry coastal region where the weather can be harsh at times. My apartment, thankfully, has air conditioning. Nonetheless, I've noticed that my cat pants and breathes through her mouth on a regular basis, which is a little unsettling. I'm concerned that these are symptoms of heat stroke.
Yahir Montgomery
Sunday, March 05, 2023
Cats pant to regulate their body temperature, so it’s normal to see them panting on a hot day. However, if you run the air conditioner regularly and maintain your apartment at a comfortable temperature, is unlikely your cat is showing signs of heatstroke.
Heatstroke is very dangerous and panting is usually just the first sign, followed by drooling, agitation, and an increased heart rate. If you’re only seeing panting, it’s likely this is due to something else. Cats tend to pace and pant when they’re stressed, scared or in pain. A visit to the vet might be a good idea if the behavior continues.
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