My Cat Breathes Weird When He Purrs?

Hello! I have a 9 month old neutered DSH. He was adopted from a cat rescue about a month ago.. He was born into a foster home and was vet checked - The cat rescue says he is 100% healthy and has been checked before I adopted him.
 

I've noticed that SOMETIMES (not every time) when he purrs, he will open his mouth and breathe a little heavier. Once he stops purring, the breathing goes back to normal.

Yesterday, it seemed as though he was "afraid" of the television? (Lol, kittens I guess)... He was on my lap and I could feel him shake, his mouth was open (but he was purring), and then he went and attacked the TV. When he came back he was fine, mouth closed.

He is eating, drinking, using his litterbox, and when he plays even with strenuous exercise he doesn't have his mouth open. He seems completely normal.

I adopted him a month ago, however because he was so shy he didn't come out at ALL. These past 2 weeks were the only time he has come out and actually relaxed. He has purred off and on like this the entire time.

I am just so worried - Here's the thing. I have NO money right now. I can't afford to have him checked out and I feel horrible. I just want to ease my mind a bit..

I had a previous cat who passed away a couple months ago... He ALSO suffered with laboured breathing, but much worse. He had heavy breathing ALL THE TIME up until he passed away from a tumor puncturing his lungs - Which is the reason why I have no money right now. It cost me all of my credit to take care of and eventually put to sleep my old baby.

Since then I have been haunted with the memory and obsessively looking into this kitten's breathing.

From what you are describing, I think your kitten is well within the parameters of normal breathing.  I've had a few cats over the many years who breathed heavier when they purred.  They really turned it on!  So long as it only happens during purring I really think you are fine.

Welcome to The Cat Site!  I wandered in here a bit over a year ago and now feel as if I have found a second home.  Friendly buncha folks in here!  Wander around, poke in here and there, and have fun!  Don't forget to head over the "The New Cats on the Block" and introduce yourself AND your kitten!  Pictures are always welcome!  Oh...and NO matter of cat health and care is "too icky."  We wait with baited breath to hear if one of our own with digestive issues has pooped, and eagerly examine close up shots of kitten fannies to try to determine sex!  If it is cat related, and a sincere question, we're all over it!
 

Thank you SO much for this! You've put me at ease. I have 2 friends, one who is a vet tech and one who is in vet school, and they both told me to calm down. I keep trying to! But once I say his mouth open I started crying and thinking something was wrong.

It does seem as if he opened his mouth just because he was "scared" of the tv. He keeps attacking it!

I don't want to take him to the vet because he is just starting to be social and come around. He used to hide every day and now he comes out as soon as I get home! Obsessed with food. Treats. And pets. He purrs as soon as I get in the door.

Well, they open their mouths to pull air across their Jacobson's organ, which allows them to sample and interpret scent, so that's probably what he was doing with the television...a new, scary thing that needed to be identified!

Unless he gets "snuffly" and is breathing hard when at rest, let him just settle in and get confident in his new space.  He will need a vet check and inoculations at some point in the reasonably near future, but so long as he is strictly indoors, and there are no other animals in the house, I really think that letting him adjust first is best.  

I get your friends' advice, and it was right, but just saying "calm down" without giving you any supporting facts doesn't help much, does it?  And by the way, thank you for caring so much about your kitten.  What is his name?  I am nosy, and want name, description, pics, the whole ball of wax!  As I said, New Cats on the Block is the place to let us know who you both are!

Thank you so much!!!

How do you upload pics on here?

His name is Calvin. Such a sweet and loving little boy.. He snuggles right up to you! Still a little shy of some things, but he is getting so much better! He loves to play and is ALWAYS meowing for attention.

He is also obsessed with food. So much so I'm thinking about getting him one of those bowls where he has to take his time Lol!

First things first...when you are in the reply box, look at the top.  There is a box with 4 icons, a photo, a film strip, a smiley and a set of quotation marks.  Select the photo of the mountain.  That will open a small window.  Select the "browse" button, then enter the file you want.  It will load, and ask you to select a size.  I'd go with "medium."  I'm going to upload one in that size here to show you.  When that's done, hit "Submit," and Bob's your uncle!

I'm thinking of getting one of those puzzle feeders for Hekitty, as well.  Maybe two, one for meal times, and one for treats.  Hekitty is a rather spoiled specimen.

OK...photo in medium size:


The subject, of course, is my furry little soccer ball, Hekitty.

Hekitty is adorable!! Ok hold on, let me try

weezercat
Calvin is adorable! It's natural to obsess a little after you've lost a companion. You need a little time to get used to Calvin's habits and learn what his "normal" looks like.
Enjoy your kitten

Thank you Foxden!

That's exactly what my vet tech friend said. I could be used to my old cats habits - which are different than calvins. He's got a lot of quirks!

But he is a little sweetie. One more pic

YAY!  Oh, Calvin is such a sweetie!  Now that you have some relief from the panic (and, Darlin, we have ALL panicked over our cats -with or without good reason- at some point or another, you can start getting to know his quirks and be comfortable with them, and I, for one, LOVE the quirks.  They are what makes each cat such a joy to know.  I'm SO glad you found us and let us see that sweet baby boy! 

And I'm already panicking again!! Calvin made small pee in his litter. :/ I hope that doesn't mean he is blocked. He made totally normal sized pees overnight and earlier today. Time to make another forum

Take a DEEP BREATH!  One small pee does not a panic call for.  Keep watching him.  How is he acting?  A blocked cat will generally show signs that something is amiss fairly quickly.  Is he less active?  "Loafing up?" (sitting all hunched and tucked in on himself) Refusing to eat?  Not playing?  He may pee perfectly normally next time.  Best advice, observe now, panic later.

You were right!! He made normal sized pees right after I posted that!! I need to stop. LOL

My 9 month old fur baby uses the litterbox just as soon as I've scooped it. Mamanyt1953 is correct and I also think it is a marking behavior. Calvin sounds just fine. From what you've written, you're really only just getting to know him. This is the end of the third week that he's been out and about, right? Learn his quirks and know that each kitty has their own habits and behaviors. It's good to be aware, just make mental notes and enjoy the difference he brings to your life. You will know by his overall behavior when something needs attention. Trust yourself a little more, and love your new kitty

Thank you so much guys

I will say - Calvin does have stinky breath! Is it possible he is teething at 9 months? Or something more serious? He was checked by the vets before I got him a couple months ago

I would think that he's young for periodontal disease.    He SHOULD have just finished losing his baby teeth, actually.  They generally are finished around 9 months of age or a bit earlier.  I'm giving you a link to a decent website that is easy to understand.  And it may just be his food.  Anyway, this will give you what to look for.

http://www.petful.com/pet-health/symptoms-causes-bad-breath-cats/

Thank you for this! I did check his mouth, it looks like his front bottom teeth are not in all the way! Some are just starting to grow and some teeth haven't come up yet. I wonder if it's normal! He is fed grain free dry and wet food. He gets a can of wet a day with some dry food to nibble on.

Well, like humans, they all develop at a slightly different pace.  I think you are ok, but ask the vet about it, just to be sure.  If nothing else is going on, I'm sure it's a simple thing.  

LOL...I'm kindof enjoying researching things for you!  I have a Cat Information board on Pinterest, so all of this goes there, as well!

It makes my heart smile! Thank you so much. I did a bit of research and some kittens who were underweight May teeth later. It does make sense, he was very small and frail when we got him! He is a normal boy now.

I'll keep watch on his little teeth, in the mean time I did get him a water additive for cats to help with his teeth! It has helped!

You guys are life savers here! I'm not the only cat lady !!

weezercat said:

Thank you so much guys

I will say - Calvin does have stinky breath! Is it possible he is teething at 9 months? Or something more serious? He was checked by the vets before I got him a couple months ago

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My 7 month old also has horrid breath when he meows or licks. If he licks me, the saliva doesn't smell really, but his breath in general does. I took him to the vet a few days ago. The vet looked over his teeth and gums and said everything looks fine. I really think they are too young for periodontal disease...the vet tech told me its simply the food sometimes. Chemically reacts in the body or tummy and makes the breath smell like it. Don't panic. If he is eating find, going to the litter box, playing, then just observe him and don't get worried. I'm like that too. Sometimes I look for trouble myself when its not there. We love them so much but we sometimes need to relax and realize they are quite resilient little creatures