Why is my cat sneezing, pushing air, and breathing with an open mouth?

It sounds like Tigger may have an upper respiratory infection - this is a common cause of sneezing in cats, and may also cause them to breathe with an open mouth for short periods because their nose is congested. I would recommend having him examined by a vet when you are able to - he may need antibiotics to treat the infection. You could also try supplementing him with an L-lysine product such as Viralys - these supplements are available over the counter and can help respiratory infections resolve more quickly in cats.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Missy. I recommend that you seek emergency veterinary care this evening. Open mouth breathing is a sign of respiratory distress in a cat. The respiratory infection could have spread to her lungs resulting in pneumonia or she could have another problem. Heart disease and fluid in the chest can also cause this breathing pattern. I hope this information helps. Good luck.

Oh dear! Open-mouth breathing in cats is a serious issue, as this is not normal behavior for them and usually indicates a breathing problem of some kind. I would recommend taking Felix to the vet right away to be seen. Your veterinarian can listen to his heart and lungs to check for any obvious abnormalities, and may recommend chest x-rays or other testing if needed to help determine what's wrong.

As long as he is still eating and able to sleep comfortably then i would not be overly concerned. Bathing his nose with saline and cotton wool can help free any mucus and make breathing a little easier. If symptoms worsen or he starts breathing with his mouth open I would seek an emergency appointment

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So sorry to hear about Luna. I would advise that you get her evaluated immediately. Open mouth breathing is never normal in a kitten/cat unless they are extremely sick or very stressed. Your vet can evaluate her and advise a diagnostic and treatment plan. It is possible that she has a nasopharyngeal polyp, foreign body, fluid in her lungs, fluid in her chest around her lungs, etc. Some testing will probably be required including blood tests, chest x-rays, etc. Good luck with Luna.

Your cat sounds critically ill and should be seen by a vet ASAP. Open-mouth breathing is always an emergency in cats - it is a sign of respiratory distress. It is difficult to say what the cause is without doing some testing, but possibilities include cancer, pneumonia, asthma, or heart failure.

Yes, I would be concerned. It sounds like Rosey could have a respiratory infection. I'd take her into a vet as soon as possible to get checked out, as I'm concerned about her breathing heavily. Rush her into an ER vet if she starts open mouth breathing. If she's congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing her into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. Best of luck.