PANTING (GENERAL MEDICAL CAUSES) IN DOGS/CATS
WHAT THIS SYMPTOM USUALLY MEANS
Panting outside of heat or exercise often reflects pain, stress, fever, respiratory conditions, or hormonal disease. Cats almost never pant—so panting in a cat is always concerning.
MOST COMMON CAUSES
MILD OR SELF-LIMITING CAUSES (COMMON)
• Heat
• Stress/anxiety
• Mild excitement
MEDICAL CAUSES THAT NEED DIAGNOSIS (MODERATE CONCERN)
• Pain
• Fever
• Cushing’s disease
• Respiratory infections
• Heart disease (non-cardiac causes covered below)
• Anemia
• Obesity
EMERGENCY CAUSES (HIGH CONCERN)
• Heatstroke
• Panting + pale gums
• Panting + collapse
• Panting + vomiting
• Panting in cats at any time
RED FLAGS: WHEN THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
• Panting at rest
• Panting at night
• Panting + abdominal pain
If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent.
AT-HOME CARE YOU CAN START NOW
• Move to cool environment
• Offer water
• Reduce stress triggers
WHAT A VETERINARIAN WILL CHECK
• Temperature
• Heart and lung exam
• Bloodwork
• Imaging as needed
MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSES (BASED ON 40 YEARS OF CASES)
• Pain
• Heat stress
• Fever
• Hormonal disease
• Respiratory infection