Troubled breathing is a broad symptom that could mean many things. Most of the time, breathing problems point to conditions like asthma or allergies that are easily managed with treatment. Other times, kitties aren’t so lucky.

Pet parents often underestimate how serious breathing difficulties can be. They often chalk it up to allergies, a harmless cold or too much time under the hot sun. Unfortunately, breathing difficulties often don’t go away by themselves and only grow worse over time. For some unlucky pups, their raspy breathing could be due to a deadly illness like pneumonia.

Panting is usually associated with dogs, not cats. While it’s certainly less common, any kitty might breathe heavily after exposure to hot temperatures or intense play time. This behavior might appear strange in cats, but rest assured the occasional panting is completely harmless.