Panting kitty

Hi all

If it wasn't already enough that I had skin issues with Frankie his breathing is acting up now!

Before I take him to the vets I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with their kittens panting in hot weather? From what I've noticed he doesn't handle heat well at all. He runs about and after maybe 2-3 minutes stops and pants. Then breathes rapidly until he's cooled off. It started a few months ago but it's more noticeable as it's 26+ degrees heat and reaches 30 degrees in the day. His breathing is normal when at rest and sleeping - watching him at the moment and it seems steady not rapid. I mentioned this to the vet 2 months ago who had a listen to heart and lungs and said all was ok. No raspy sounds etc. She said he was healthy and all ok and it was normal at times for cats to pant when overheated as they can't sweat like we do.

I will ring the vet if have to but I can't afford any more visits until at least Friday when get paid and he's due back Saturday anyway for a check up for his skin issues. Soooo advice please. Bear in mind I panic easy and worry so please be gentle haha. I tried cooling him off with frozen bag of peas in a towel - he seemed very unimpressed. A lady at the pet shop suggested a tin of applaws in water and then frozen in an ice cube tray but doesn't seem to work much

Thanks in advance Val x

Does he have any other symptoms? Eating more than usual, loosing weight? Is he drinking?

and does he have anything cool to sit on?

The Rogue likes to sit on cold tiles when it's warm. Once it was oven-temperature, I came home and he was sitting there, panting... I freaked and put a wet cloth on him (which looked mighty picturesque but didn't stay on long enough for me to get my camera. Stopped the panting for a time, though).

We were going to the vet anyway that day, and he again panted during the whole drive despite air conditioning turned full directly onto him... when mentioned to the vet, he dismissed it.

He didn't pant since, only once a while when he is running around very hard (he is quite porky, which doesn't help neither in hot summers nor with running)

On the other hand, my sister's Othello has thyroid issues, and when unmedicated and really suffering he sits on as cold a place as possible (haven't noticed him panting, but then he's not one for running around much).

so, as you're going to the vet anyway on Saturday and the vet wasn't concerned, I wouldn't worry too much but definitely offer him something cool (stone tile, wet cloth, get creative) and see if he likes that.

How's a fan with an ice bucket in front of it sound? I also threw a wet towel on him! He was not impressed at all. He's still panting on and off. Sometimes after meowing which is new....

Nothing at all wrong with his appetite. He wolfed his dinner down. Not seem him lose or put weight on more than normal. He's still growing only 9 months old. Currently 5kg. He has plenty of water but I haven't seen him drink. I rarely see either of them drink though. So they may drink when I'm not looking! He has two water bowls in the kitchen. Unfortunately I don't have tiles just vynil and it gets warm. I can't think if anything else to have in the kitchen really.

Thanks for your advice. I am trying not to panic. He's just panting more than normal but it is baking hot at the moment in the house and out! Like a sauna almost. No air.

 probably just eccentricity

at 9 months, the Rogue was panting frequently form running after things (including me). And tell him he evolved in a desert without fans or ice or even water bowls!

Is it possible for you to have curtains/ anything in the windows to stop the sun heating everything up?

I would rub him a bit with the wet towel to get him moist and cool him down. He might even like that  

Thanks for the advice I've placed a tea towel on the floor where the cupboards block the sun a bit. He's been lying on it so must be cooler I think. Put an ice pack on there too. Keep the flooring cool. Lots of ice cubes in one of the water bowls (in case he doesn't approve in all) and I had the fan going a while with a bag of frozen peas in front of it! I also added a couple tablespoons of water in his wet food to keep extra moisture in him.

I do keep the curtains shut during day and evening. It's so warm. I rang the vet for advice and she said I could use an air con unit. Hmmm where on earth so I get one of those cheap? Must think I'm made of money haha. I have looked at coolers though as that would benefit us mere humans also.

He didn't seem impressed with the towel haha. I had to take his collar off too as he's got a red ring under it. Not sure if that's just it rubbing on his skin or the heat? So took the collar off for now.

It's hard work being a cat! Haha. Frankie is most definitely not a desert animal. He can't do heat well. My other kitten has the idea - Phoebe camped herself infront of our freezer when I went to get the ice. Genius!