Is it bad when kittens start panting?

Question

There is a stray female cat down the street that recently had a litter of kittens. They have just started to walk about a week ago. I went to check on them just now and one of them is panting. It's very hot out but they're in the shade. I thought I heard somewhere that it's bad if a cat starts panting but i'm not sure. If so, please tell me what to do to save the kitten. Two of the other kittens have already been killed by a car and I don't want any more of them to die. Please help!

Answer 1

Panting isn't always normal. Kittens will pant when they get too hot, being small their body temperature can fluctuate quite a lot if the surroundings get too hot or too cold.  Kittens also pant after they've been very active and also when they're stressed.

If non of those seem to be the cause, there are more serious reasons that are more serious and need medical attention. Shortness of breath can happen due to a heart condition or fluid in the chest (there's less space for the lungs so the cat gets out of breath very easily).  It's also possible the kitten has been injured by a car and has damage to the chest or ribcage.

Answer 2

When my kitten is running around the house, she usually stops and starts panting, because usually she's out of breath and she's taking a break.

Either she's just out of breath/tired or she's having trouble breathing, Try calling a vet. =]

Answer 3

cats pant from, extreme heat, and extreme distress. it is not normal.