Just played with daisy, swung da bird a few times, she ran like 4 times and then was really heavy with her breathing?

The only way to try and understand the noise is to breath hard out of your nose a few times.

She seemed to do so little running around to do this? Is this even normal?

I always seem to worry at everything! I don't wanna drag her to the vets unnesseciarly. So some opinions on this matter would be very much appreciated.

I know what you mean about un necessary vet trips............ have JUST posted my own thread about pain recognition!!

Hope you get some helpful advice, i really dont know im afraid !!

Lori
xx

Does she always breathe heavy after playing?

The first Bengal I had went through some bouts of heavy breathing. I really wish I would have had it checked out. She passed away from what the vet said was probably cancer. She had fluid built up in her lungs and some neurological symptoms. Based on what I know now and the last few days I spent with her, she probably had HCM.

I would really keep an eye on it.

Did she breathe hard for long or was it just a few huffy breaths?
Alex huffs at things when he plays, it's an instinct thing he does. It's certainly not panting or shortness of breath. :)

The Da Bird really is an intense toy - are you sure it was only 4 goes - or could it have been a few more? Also if Daisy is a kitten its even more intense. If I'm honest I don't like Da Bird toys as I think they send a cat into an unneeded frenzy without the reward of catching their kill.

I've actually known a friends kitten who died after playing with one frantically - don't want to scare monger but its true, they are an actual friend of mine not just a friend of a friend of someones cousin that I know.

If you are worried keep an eye on her and book her in for a health check so the vet can listen to her heart.

Diego also makes the noise that Fenstar was describing with some of his favourite toys, sort of a huff puff noise. From what i've read these is something to do with hunting behaviour, wild cats often do this kind of huffing i think?

So it depends whether it is an issue of her practically panting and needing a rest after a very short time - which would need immediate vet attention, or if it is a few short huffs but she doesn't actually seem worn out?

Either way, if you are unsure, it is always better to be safe than sorry and just pop along to the vets for a check up and discuss it.

Personally i do have a Da' Bird type toy which Diego loves, but i do very much limit the amount of play to only a minute or so as i wouldn't want to push my cat to anywhere near the edge of exhaustion. He is also allowed to catch the toy and "eat" it...at which point he gets treats / a little meat to simulate the end of his "hunt" if you will.