Cat breathing with open mouth – why is it an emergency?

📞 Emergency and advice: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa

Quick answer: A cat breathing with an open mouth is always a serious symptom. It can indicate lack of oxygen, heart or lung disease, pain, or shock. Contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.

Unlike dogs, cats do not normally pant. When a cat breathes with an open mouth, its breathing is often already significantly labored.

When to see a vet?

Contact immediately a veterinarian if any of the following apply:

• The cat is breathing with an open mouth.
• The cat is using its abdomen to pump air.
• The gums are bluish or grey.
• The cat is hunched and unable to rest.
• The cat is apathetic or collapses and is limp.

What could be causing the symptom?

1. Cardiac-related breathing difficulty

Heart disease can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs.

2. Asthma or lung disease

Airway obstruction can quickly make it difficult to get oxygen.

3. Trauma or pain

A fall, impact, or severe pain can lead to breathing difficulties.

What can you do at home?

• Keep your cat calm.
• Do not try to examine it by force.
• Call the emergency service before you leave so the clinic can prepare.

What happens at the vet?

In an emergency, a patient with breathing difficulties is assessed quickly. The cat is given supplemental oxygen and necessary further examinations are performed once the cat is in a stable condition.

Sacrum Animal Hospital can help

A cat breathing with its mouth open needs immediate veterinary assessment. Call the emergency service before you leave so the clinic can prepare for the situation. A professional will help assess whether it's an emergency or if an appointment can be scheduled.

📞 Emergency and advice: 010 739 9130

📍 Animal Hospital Sacrum, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa