Why does he open his mouth when he's in the car?

Lawyer Zorro

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He travels a lot from one place to another, it almost looks like he is hyperventilating but I don't know....Also, his pupils are diluted too. What can you all say about this?
 
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Maurey

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Open mouth panting coupled with dialated eyes is a classic sign of stress and anxiety
 
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Lawyer Zorro

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Ok thanks! Now I know why, he's distressed. He is a house cat after all so that's why he is so scared of cars passing by the window.
 

crystal dawn

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That sounds like stress. The hyperventilating look is panting from being stressed/to warm. Em did it yesterday in the car and it scared me a bit til I remembered what it was and adjusted things so he could cool down. I also sat and talked to him and sung to him to calm him. Honestly, if you can avoid having your cat travel since they're clearly stressed by it that would be best for them. Constant stress can cause a lot of health problems.
 

Heart For Cats

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Ok thanks! Now I know why, he's distressed. He is a house cat after all so that's why he is so scared of cars passing by the window.
What kind of carrier does he ride in? Maybe he would feel less stressed in a carrier with no windows except the door.
 
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Lawyer Zorro

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Your usual carrier with some clothes in there for comfort. I sometimes put my raincoat on top of the carrier. Is that ok?
 

vince

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Keeping it dark by putting your raincoat over the carrier will probably calm him some in addition to your scent on the raincoat and the other clothes.
 
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