Why is my kitten's mouth open or tongue out? Is it a health issue?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She is adorable! Some cats do this and it is normal. It doesn't usually indicate that they are sick. They tend to stick a bit of their tongue out when they are relaxed and/or sleeping. It isn't an indication of stress. Sometimes it goes away with age. I wouldn't worry too much if she is eating, drinking and playful. Have a good day!

That sounds odd. Cats don't normally act like this. I am concerned she is distressed, is experiencing pain in her mouth or is experienced altered mentation. Since she can't talk and tell you what is happening, I recommend to have her examined right away. An exam is needed to begin narrowing down the potential causes. I hope this helps.

If she keeps he mouth opened this is probably because of severe respiratory distress, this is common with kittens that are hand fed because of aspiration pneumonia (milk is aspirated into the lungs). this is usually a very severe condition, you will need to take the kitten to the vet ASAP in order to get it treated.

Very cute puppy. It is possible that she is sticking out her tongue due to positioning of her teeth. IF she were to have malocclusion (teeth abnormally positioned) it could allow her tongue to slip out. It could also just be a puppy things she grows out of. Good luck with the puppy

When a cat has its tongue sticking out it is generally a sign that they are not breathing well at all. And upper respiratory tract infection, if untreated correctly, can lead to pneumonia or severe bronchitis. I urge you to contact your regular veterinarian and make an appointment for them to do a full physical examination on your cat as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to put you on the correct regimen of drugs such as antibiotics, steroids, bronchodilators, nebulizers, etc. that will help eliminate your disease and help the cat breathe better. I appreciate you reaching out to our service and taking a proactive approach to your cats healthcare.

You are correct that sometimes sticking out the tongue can be a sign of dental disease. Sometimes though, cats will stick out the tongue. Definitely a pet toothpaste and brushing his teeth every day will help and will not cause any harm. I don’t recommend to start any supplements until your pet is examined by the veterinarian. An exam will help to determine if this is pathological behavior or not. You may look online at larger veterinary companies like VCA or Banfield. They often offer a free exam coupons for new clients. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Yes, there could be an issue with her teeth or jaw. I suggest you get her to your vet for an exam. If you could take a video with your phone of the behavior she is exhibiting that would be good. That way you can show the vet what she is doing since she may not do it during the exam.