My Kitten Oliver Chop loves to play. I throw his ball & he brings it back to me, he's very clever! However after he's ran backwards & forwards a few times he starts to pant with his tongue out. Obviously I always stop play at this point but I was wondering if this is normal behaviour or should I be worried. He's a very healthy little boy & has been fully checked over by the Vet. This only occurs when we're playing energetically. Oliver Chop will be 1 year old next month.
Thank You!
Hopefully Oliver chop has vaccinations so maybe due his booster again soon and I would just get your vet to listen to his heart and chest properly. I am not too worried about what you are saying but cats have quite a small respiratory system so it does sound like he is tiring easily, unlike in dogs when cats pant they can get into a bit of a viscous circle and panic then struggle more to catch their breath. I suspect from what you are saying that Oliver Chop just gets a bit carried away and pushes himself until he is tired and then pants. I would recommend playing with him little and often so maybe two or three times in a day rather than a large amount in one go
oh bless him, he is very clever (and handsome too!) do you always play on the stairs I would recommend maybe doing that once or twice then on the flat it may well be that he is distracted and just needs to catch his breath
Hi Mandy what a terrific video! As this sounds more like a Veterinary question I will leave it up to them but I think shorter play sessions might help. You can also play with him in less 'physical' ways, for example you could clicker train him as he's obviously a clever little fellow. Clicker training is really easy and very stimulating for cats that are keen.
You can also hide his food in special toys that he can roll around to get the kibble out, or pack wet food into a hollow toy so that he has to forage to get it out. Again these are stimulating activities for him to really enjoy without overdoing it.
Vet answer
Hi Mandy
Hopefully Oliver chop has vaccinations so maybe due his booster again soon and I would just get your vet to listen to his heart and chest properly. I am not too worried about what you are saying but cats have quite a small respiratory system so it does sound like he is tiring easily, unlike in dogs when cats pant they can get into a bit of a viscous circle and panic then struggle more to catch their breath. I suspect from what you are saying that Oliver Chop just gets a bit carried away and pushes himself until he is tired and then pants. I would recommend playing with him little and often so maybe two or three times in a day rather than a large amount in one go
Thank you!
Here he is! :o)
oh bless him, he is very clever (and handsome too!) do you always play on the stairs I would recommend maybe doing that once or twice then on the flat it may well be that he is distracted and just needs to catch his breath
Thank you! We don't usually play on the stairs, it was only because he'd bought his ball up to me to play with him. He's a lovely little fella!
Think the others have covered answers to your question - I just wanted to say what a fab little video!
Expert answer
Hi Mandy what a terrific video! As this sounds more like a Veterinary question I will leave it up to them but I think shorter play sessions might help. You can also play with him in less 'physical' ways, for example you could clicker train him as he's obviously a clever little fellow. Clicker training is really easy and very stimulating for cats that are keen.
You can also hide his food in special toys that he can roll around to get the kibble out, or pack wet food into a hollow toy so that he has to forage to get it out. Again these are stimulating activities for him to really enjoy without overdoing it.
Have fun!
Karen
Thanks Karen, I'll give your ideas a go :o)