Fast breathing in cats can be alarming. Learn about the potential causes and the critical steps you should take to help your cat breathe easier.
The gentle purr of a contented cat is a soothing sound for any pet owner. However, when that familiar rhythm is replaced by wheezing, coughing, or labored breathing, it can be a cause for immediate concern. Understanding the difference between normal breathing patterns and signs of distress is crucial for every cat owner. This guide will help you recognize when your feline friend’s respiratory changes warrant a trip to the veterinarian, ensuring you’re prepared to act swiftly when it matters most.
👉 Cats naturally breathe more rapidly than humans do. Cats take 15 to 30 breaths per minute while resting or sleeping, while humans, on average, take 12 to 16. Breaths should be quiet and include small chest movements.
Rapid breathing can result from an underlying condition or it can be situational. Potential causes can range from allergic reactions to illnesses or injuries. Here are a few common causes of abnormal breathing in cats:
If your cat is breathing rapidly without a clear and benign cause, go to the vet as soon as possible to find the underlying cause. Numerous health conditions can cause rapid breathing in cats without other outward symptoms.
🚨 If your cat has something lodged in their windpipe, try to get it out and go to the nearest emergency veterinarian immediately.
There are three types of irregular breathing in cats, and it’s important for owners to recognize the different types so as to better understand any potential underlying issues.:
Persistent open-mouth breathing is a common sign of serious chest or lung problems, not to be confused with panting.
Bruce D. Armstrong, DVM
👉 Did you know? A kitten’s respiratory rate is the same as an adult cat’s. Not so for dogs — a puppy’s resting breathing rate is faster than an adult dog.
If you think your cat’s breathing is abnormal or inconsistent, it’s time to determine their resting respiration rate. If there is an underlying issue, it’s a good idea to get to the root of the cause as soon as possible and seek appropriate treatment.
Count the number of breaths your cat takes while sleeping. A breath counts as one inhalation and exhalation (when your cat’s chest rises and falls). If you count the number of breaths taken in 30 seconds and multiply by two, you can measure the number of breaths per minute.
Watch this video to learn how to count your cat’s resting respiration rate.
If your cat’s respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute, it may be time to seek veterinary care. Call your vet for medical advice if your cat is breathing faster than 40 breaths per minute and it doesn’t go away after a short rest.
Accurately measuring your cat’s respiratory rate can be difficult because your cat may not be cooperative, or it’s simply challenging to calculate. In these cases, look for these symptoms, which may increase over time or come on suddenly, depending on the underlying reason:
🚨Turn to your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis of your pet. They will run diagnostic tests and prescribe treatment.
If a cat is panting after a walk, exercise, or a trip to the vet, it could be a sign of excitement, stress, or exhaustion. These are normal. Let your cat relax in air conditioning or another cool location, and give them plenty of water.
If your cat has difficulty breathing without an apparent cause, it may be time to call the veterinarian.
Treatment of rapid breathing will be customized to each cat based on their health history and the underlying condition causing the problem. You will need to go over your cat’s health history, talk about when symptoms began, and any incidents that could have caused this problem.
Here’s what that visit will usually look like:
Severe rapid breathing problems require a stay at the veterinary hospital. Vets can monitor cats while administering oxygen, fluids, or medication. Hospitalized cats will receive oxygen in an oxygen cage.
This DVM speaks about breathing problems and how veterinarians handle cases of respiratory distress at animal hospitals:
Rapid breathing in our feline friends might involve open-mouthed panting and shallow or heavy, fast breaths. They may also cough, wheeze, or breathe very loudly. The best way to determine if they are breathing rapidly is to count how many breaths your cat takes over 30 seconds, then multiply that by 2. If they take more than 30-40 breaths a minute, they are breathing rapidly. If this doesn’t subside after a break, call your vet.
Cats don’t just purr when they are happy. Often, it is a self-soothing mechanism for anxiety or pain. If your kitty is breathing rapidly and also purring, it may indicate that they are in distress. Look for injuries, observe your cat for signs of pain, and identify anything that might be a source of anxiety for them.
Adult cats and kittens breathe faster than humans, so what seems rapid may be normal. If they are breathing more than 30 times per minute while they sleep, though, it may indicate an underlying problem. Contact your vet if your cat is breathing faster than normal.
Unless your cat is used to going on adventures, traveling is likely stressful for them. Fast breathing, dilated pupils, meowing, hiding, and purring are typical reactions to traveling when it’s a new, scary experience. To help with this, try starting your cat off with short trips around the neighborhood in a carrier that they have free access to all the time.
Changes in breath can occur in cats during exercise, playtime, or other strenuous or physical activity. That said, if their breathing doesn’t slow down after rest or there’s no apparent sign of cause, then it could be a sign of an underlying health issue, like stress, pain, fever, respiratory infection, heartworm disease, or heart disease. It’s best to monitor your cat closely for other accompanying symptoms.
This combination of breathing could indicate a severe respiratory problem or medical emergency. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency care clinic right away to get a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
When watching for labored breathing, look for rapid and/or open-mouth breathing, shallow breaths, nostril-flaring, increased chest effort, wheezing, or crackling sounds. Your cat may also show signs of restlessness or anxiety. In severe cases, your kitty’s gums, lips, or tongue may turn bluish due to lack of oxygen.
Yes, cats typically breathe faster than humans. A normal respiratory rate for a resting adult cat can range from 15 to 30 breaths per minute, whereas the average rate for an adult human at rest is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
