NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

Open mouth breathing is a significant symptom of respiratory distress in cats. When a cat is experiencing difficulty breathing, it may open its mouth to take in more air, indicating that it's struggling to get enough oxygen. This behavior is atypical, as most cats breathe quietly through their noses when they are relaxed and healthy. When you observe a cat breathing with its mouth open, it often points to underlying respiratory issues such as asthma, pneumonia, or airway obstruction, necessitating immediate veterinary attention.

The other symptoms listed, such as excessive grooming, frequent purring, and normal eating behavior, are not typically associated with respiratory distress. Excessive grooming can indicate stress, pain, or skin issues but is not a reliable indicator of breathing problems. Frequent purring is a vocalization that many cats exhibit when they are content or seeking comfort; it does not directly correlate with respiratory health. Lastly, normal eating behavior suggests that a cat is likely not in distress and is functioning normally, further supporting that it is not experiencing respiratory issues.