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My old cat is mouth breathing with a stuffed nose. Is it an emergency?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 14 years and 7 months old | 13 lbs

Hello, My old cat has caught a cold from my mom's kitten. From the 13 years I've had her it's the very first time she's beeb sick. She's been sneezing the last 3 or 4 days. However tonight I noticed she stopped sneezing because her nose is stuffed! She is partially breathing through her mouth... I was wondering if I should worry? I've never seen a cat breathe through their mouth before (unless panting because of stress in a car) so I just wanted to know if this counts as an emergency?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 22nd, 2018

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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