Dogs pant more often than cats

Even though dogs pant more often than cats, it doesn’t mean that cats can’t pant to cool themselves down. But “the reason we don’t see them pant nearly as often in dogs is they usually don’t exert themselves to the point of overheating,” says Werber. “They pace themselves better, and seem to read the changes in their body heat earlier than their canine counterparts, so they don’t overheat nearly as often.”

In addition, cats pant when they are stressed or in pain. “Cats usually pant when they are stressed, rather than hot,” says Dr. Sarah Proctor, clinical assistant professor and director of the veterinary technology program at the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire.