Why is my cat panting like a dog?

This could be normal in cats that are overheated, stressed and anxious, or after strenuous exercise. If your cat’s panting seems out of the ordinary and you're not sure of the cause or continues for a long period of time, you may need to visit the vet. It could signal a medical problem such as respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Call a vet if your cat is panting without strenuously exercising or being anxious or overheated, or if your cat is having difficulty breathing (open mouth breathing or panting, wheezing, breathing that looks labored, and an increased respiratory rate) .