A Maine coon kitten has gone viral on social media after her owners caught her unusual playtime behavior on camera.
On August 9, Redditor /u/Pivotcrafter shared the clip showing the calico cat, who's named Eevee after the Pokémon, chasing a feathery toy on a bed, before briefly pausing to catch her breath. She then pants with her tongue out like dogs usually do.
"My cat pants like a dog when we play," the user wrote in the caption, which sparked concern among users.
The poster, Bertram, told Newsweek that his 6-month-old kitten, who is featured on the Instagram account @eeveeandbaloo, absolutely loves to play, so he and his girlfriend entertain her often.
Though Eevee is an indoor cat, she also has an outdoor patio so she can get fresh air, which she absolutely loves, Bertram said, and when she's not playing with her owners, she spends a lot of her time chasing their Great Dane Baloo's tail.
"The comments section on the viral Reddit post went wild about how she should have her heart checked and how she was most likely sick, but let me assure you, we are responsible cat owners," the poster said.
"As soon as she started panting, we Googled why, and as it turns out, it's pretty common for kittens that love wild playtime," he continued. "We also have regular checkups at the vet, as she's still a kitten, and they have not found anything wrong with her."
Dr. James Weikum, a veterinarian at East Hills Animal Clinic, told Newsweek that cats don't typically pant like dogs do, so if a cat pants during playtime, it could be a sign that they are overheated, stressed or overexerted.
He said: "Cats can overheat, especially during vigorous play. If your cat is panting, check to see if they're in a warm environment or if they've been playing for an extended period. Make sure they have access to water and a cool place to rest.
"Panting can be a sign that your cat is anxious or stressed. This could happen during play if they feel overwhelmed or if the play is too intense.
"If your cat is panting after intense play, it might be a sign that they've simply overexerted themselves. Giving them time to calm down and rest should help.
"In some cases, panting can indicate an underlying health issue such as respiratory problems, heart disease, or pain. If the panting persists or occurs frequently, it's a good idea to consult a veterinarian to rule out any serious conditions."
If the panting is occasional and stops quickly once the cat rests, Weikum said, it may be a sign that they need a break, so providing a cool environment and ensuring the cat has access to fresh water should help recovery.
Owners should consult a vet if they're concerned or if the panting is accompanied by other symptoms, such as lethargy, coughing or rapid breathing.
"While occasional panting might be normal after intense activity, persistent or frequent panting isn't typical and warrants attention," Weikum said.
The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across Reddit. It has received more than 9,000 upvotes and 380 comments on the platform.
One user commented: "I've only ever seen a cat pant like that once, and it was when we got a new kitten, and our older cat (20 y.o.) didn't take to her very much so we got another slightly younger kitten so the kitten could have a friend.
"They chased and played with each other so much on that first night that there was panting happening."
Another said: "Might not be a serious issue, but you should probably take a break from playing if they start panting and let them cool off. Would still be good to talk to a vet about this just to be safe since panting in cats isn't all that common."
Another commenter added: "Everyone immediately goes to 'it's bad for cats to pant!' Well actually it's only bad for cats to pant if they don't have a way to cool off as well. Air conditioning, cold water, circulating air, cool surfaces to lie on... I think she'll be okay."
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