can cats breathe through their mouth

Cats normally breathe through their noses and do not usually breathe through their mouths. Mouth breathing in cats generally occurs only when they are in serious respiratory distress or cannot get enough oxygen through nasal breathing. This condition is an emergency and often signals a medical issue such as asthma, heart problems, upper respiratory infections, or airway obstruction. Occasional panting in cats may occur briefly after intense play, heat, or stress, but it should stop quickly and not persist. In summary, while cats can physically breathe through their mouths if needed, it is not normal and usually indicates a health problem requiring immediate veterinary attention if it continues beyond a short period or is accompanied by other symptoms like pale gums, labored breathing, or lethargy.