Why is my cat hanging its mouth open when walking outside?

Question

Hi there! I have two 5 year old mixed breed cats. Lately one of them has been hanging his mouth open. I live in the Denver area and it has been somewhat hot. He only does this when he's outside and he's walking towards me. As soon as he gets to me he shuts his mouth but I'm not sure what this behavior is or means. Any ideas? Thank you so much! Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 7 lbs

Mara Howard, DVM · Accepted Answer

There can be multiple causes for a cat to have its mouth open, though that is abnormal behavior. Cats are obligatory nasal breathers, so any panting or open mouthed breathing can be a sign of respiratory distress (heart or lung disease). It can also be secondary to dental disease or nerve damage. I would recommend Zazu be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his issue, any diagnostics (X-rays, bloodwork), and any treatment if needed. Good luck!

Why is my cat hanging its mouth open when walking outside?

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