Why is my cat running with mouth open, tongue out, and hissing?

The skin twitching and running can be a sign of fleas or skin irritation, and occasionally cats will display an extreme version of this with feline hyperesthesia syndrome. The open mouth breathing is a little concerning - this is usually a sign of cardiac or respiratory disease although occasionally some cats will breathe with their mouths open when they are very excited. If you see any labored breathing or the open mouth breathing continues I’d recommend seeing an emergency veterinarian.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kopol. That is odd behavior for a cat to display. Is he tasting something bad during these episodes? A new food for example? If not, does he pant or breathe with his mouth open? This can be a sign of respiratory distress in a cat. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian for an examination. He could possibly be painful. Based on these results, blood work may be recommended as well. A thyroid disorder can cause a cat to meow more frequently. I hope this information helps!

Cats can sometimes "lose their voice" as a result of an upper respiratory infection, similar to what happens to people when we get laryngitis. As a result, they will sometimes go through the motions of meowing but little or no sound comes out. If this sounds like what you are seeing, I would recommend having her checked by a vet - she may need antibiotics or other medication if she has an infection. Another possibility based on what you are describing is that your cat is having trouble breathing - cats will sometimes appear to be panting, or breathing with an open mouth if they are having trouble getting their breath. If you see this, it is a medical emergency and the cat needs to be seen by a vet immediately.

Your cat needs to see his veterinarian ASAP. It is possible that your cat has a tooth abscess, severe periodontal disease, something lodged inside the mouth, an injury, or an oral tumor. Regardless of cause, this is a serious medical condition since it is preventing him from eating and drinking normally. Your cat is at risk of becoming dehydrated and developing a condition called hepatic liposis, which can lead to liver failure. Even going 24 hours without food can cause changes in liver functioning.

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!

It could just be normal for him but you should have a vet do an oral examination to make sure he doesn't have a dental problem and/or a problem with the his jaw. If your vet doesn't identify a problem and he is eating and drinking fine then it is probably just normal for him.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sam. I recommend that he sees an emergency veterinarian today. He needs to be examined. If there is a smell coming from his mouth, I worry that he has a wound. If he is painful, then he will not open his mouth. There are also other causes of not being able to use the mouth properly such as infectious and inflammatory conditions. The veterinarian will examine him and may recommend some testing. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help him feel better. I worry that he will become dehydrated from not eating and drinking properly. This may need to be addressed as well. I hope this information helps!