Posted 04 July 2012 at 11:16 | Last updated 05 July 2012 at 15:21
Huffing
Asked by Kirsten A | 2 Answers
I am trying to understand Gabriel and one of the things she does is short sharp huffs through her nose. This is usally when she is playing or attacking. Does it have a particular meaning? Is she annoyed or frustrated? If she does this should I stop the playing or whatever we are doing???? x
I'm trying to imagine Gabriel doing this...I'm not entirely sure what she is doing and I can't recall seeing this in other cats. It might be worth getting her checked by your vet to see if there is any underlying respiratory problems.
But assuming everything is alright from a veterinary perspective and she only does this when highly aroused I would just advise you to ensure you are playing games that don't get her overly frustrated. This means there should alway be an end point (so don't use laser toys). By end point I mean that Gabriel should be able to grab and bite the toy she is playing with. Without the end point cats become very frustrated (hence my advising not to use laser toys) and can redirect their frustration on to innocent bystanders!
Hope Gabriel is fit and well and this is just an endearing quirk
Thank you for your comments. We did mention this to the vet on her recent check up and she confirmed Gabe seemed to have no respiratory problems and it is not something she regulary does or does when she is breathless from playing. It is just random 'snorts' I suppose you can call them. My only way to describe it is like a humph but its a snort, quick sharp breath out through her nose?? Not sure now as you've never heard of it in other cats :) As you said will keep an eye on it but maybe its just an endearing quirk! Might be hearing a bit more of it for a few days as new kitten arrives today........ Thank you xx
Expert answer
Hi Kirsten,
I'm trying to imagine Gabriel doing this...I'm not entirely sure what she is doing and I can't recall seeing this in other cats. It might be worth getting her checked by your vet to see if there is any underlying respiratory problems.
But assuming everything is alright from a veterinary perspective and she only does this when highly aroused I would just advise you to ensure you are playing games that don't get her overly frustrated. This means there should alway be an end point (so don't use laser toys). By end point I mean that Gabriel should be able to grab and bite the toy she is playing with. Without the end point cats become very frustrated (hence my advising not to use laser toys) and can redirect their frustration on to innocent bystanders!
Hope Gabriel is fit and well and this is just an endearing quirk
All the best
Julie
Hi Julie
Thank you for your comments. We did mention this to the vet on her recent check up and she confirmed Gabe seemed to have no respiratory problems and it is not something she regulary does or does when she is breathless from playing. It is just random 'snorts' I suppose you can call them. My only way to describe it is like a humph but its a snort, quick sharp breath out through her nose?? Not sure now as you've never heard of it in other cats :) As you said will keep an eye on it but maybe its just an endearing quirk! Might be hearing a bit more of it for a few days as new kitten arrives today........ Thank you xx