Why should I evaluate my pet’s breathing rate at home?
An increase in your pet’s breathing rate while resting quietly or sleeping is a very important early clue (clinical sign) that your pet may be developing heart failure and needs to see your veterinarian. Your observations can help limit how sick your pet becomes, reduce the chances that your pet will ever have to stay overnight in the hospital, and help reduce the costs associated with heart failure treatment.
What is a normal resting or sleeping breathing rate in a dog and cat?
In general, all normal dogs and cats, dogs and cats with asymptomatic heart disease, and dogs diagnosed with heart failure that is well-controlled with medication, have a breathing rate of between 15-30 breaths every minute when they are resting calmly or sleeping. Lower rates are possible and are no cause for concern, providing your pet is otherwise acting normally. It is considered normal for breathing rates to be much higher than this when dogs and cats are hot, stressed, or active.
Resting/sleeping breathing rates that are consistently greater than 30 breaths per minute are increased and considered abnormal. For some individuals, rates lower than 30 breaths per minute may be considered increased and abnormal by your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian what rate is considered increased and abnormal for your dog or cat.
What should I do if the resting or sleeping breathing rate is increased in my pet?
The first thing to do is to count the breathing rate a few times over the next couple of hours to ensure it is a consistent finding. If the breathing rate is consistently increased, then you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Typically, your veterinarian will recommend a recheck appointment in the next day or two, so medications can be adjusted.
If the resting/sleeping breathing rate is increased and other clinical signs as outlined below are observed, then the situation may represent an emergency. In this case, especially if it is after hours, you may need to go to a veterinary emergency center.
What are the clinical signs that may be associated with heart disease or heart failure in dogs and cats?
- Fast breathing when resting or sleeping (more than 30 breaths per minute)
- Increased effort associated with breathing (labored breathing)
- Restlessness, agitation, and difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep
- A change in how your pet sleeps (e.g., if your pet normally sleeps on his back or on his side, or curled up in a ball, and now sleeps sitting up or in a “sphinx” position).
- Coughing or gagging
- Weakness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Collapse or fainting
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Distended abdomen
- Depressed attitude or quiet and not interactive
Cat only
- Hind leg lameness or weakness
- Hind end paralysis
- Front leg lameness
- Pain
How do I count the resting or sleeping breathing rate in my pet?
It is preferable to wait until your pet is sleeping, but your pet may be resting quietly. It is important that cats not be purring when you count their breathing rate. The sleeping breathing rate is typically a little lower than the resting breathing rate.
Watch your pet’s chest; it moves in and out as dogs and cats breathe. One breath is counted when the chest has moved in and out once. Use your watch or phone to time 30 seconds, and count how many breaths occur during that 30 second period. Next, multiply the number of breaths that you counted by 2 to get the number of breaths in 60 seconds (1 minute). Alternatively, you can count the total number of breaths that occur during in 60 seconds, and then there is no need to multiply. Keep a record, such as in a diary or on a calendar, of the breathing rates you count. There are some free smartphone apps that can help you keep track of your pet’s home breathing rate.
How often should I count this breathing rate in my pet?
Typically, your veterinarian will have you count the breathing rate once per day for a week while you are learning, so that you become comfortable performing this exercise. This way, you and your veterinarian can also learn what your pet’s normal resting/sleeping breathing rate is.
If your pet has asymptomatic heart disease (i.e., is not demonstrating any clinical signs): Home breathing rates do not need to be evaluated in all pets with asymptomatic heart disease. Your veterinarian will tell you if and when it is time to start monitoring the home breathing rate in your pet. In general, it is most important to start in pets with advanced asymptomatic heart disease that have a high risk of developing heart failure within the next year. In this case, breathing rates are typically recorded once or twice per week, although your veterinarian may ask you to monitor it more frequently or even once per day.
If your pet has heart failure: Home breathing rate should be evaluated at least once per day in all pets that have heart failure and are now taking medications such as furosemide (a diuretic).
panting is only one of the three types of rapid breathing to watch out for
Hearing your cuddly companion wheeze, cough, or noisily breathe with difficulty is alarming. Though rapid breathing can be the result of activity or excitement, it is often a sign of serious underlying conditions. Cats of any age and breed can experience rapid breathing. If your cat’s breathing irregularly, it’s time to seek immediate veterinary care as this is a potentially life-threatening issue.
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.
If you think your cat is not breathing normally, it’s time to determine their resting respiration rate.
Count the number of breaths your cat takes while sleeping. A breath counts both one inhalation and one exhalation (when your cat’s chest rises and falls). Use your smartphone to time 30 seconds as you count. Multiply the number of breaths by two to get the total number of breaths per minute. That’s your cat’s resting respiratory rate.
What about fast breathing in kittens?
Kittens breathe rapidly for the same reasons adult cats do. If your kitten’s respiratory rate is higher than 30 breaths per minute, irregular, or shallow, seek veterinary care, just as you would for your cat. Causes may be severe, like tumors or heart failure, or your kitten could be breathing quickly for a less severe reason like stress or nervousness.
If your cat’s respiratory rate is higher than 30 breaths per minute, it may be time to seek veterinary care. If your cat is breathing faster than 40 breaths per minute and it doesn’t go away with short rest, call your vet.
Watch this video to learn how to count the resting respiration rate of your cat.
Tachypnea is rapid breathing that is abnormally shallow.
Dyspnea
Dyspnea is difficult or labored breathing.
Panting
Panting is heaving breathing with the tongue hanging out. Though cat panting is sometimes a sign of heat or exhaustion, it should decrease after a few minutes. Cats may also show open-mouth breathing by gasping, gagging, or gulping.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to know if your cat is breathing normally or having breathing difficulties. These symptoms can gradually increase over time or onset suddenly. These signs include:
- Open mouth breathing (panting)
- Coughing
- Loss of Appetite
- Blue or Purple Gums
- Noisy Breathing
- Difficulty Breathing
- Lethargy/Fatigue
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Wheezing
- Heaving Chest
- Breathing Abdominally
- Blue or Purple Tongue
Rapid breathing is often caused by a serious underlying condition. Potential causes can range from allergic reactions to illnesses to injuries. Breathing difficulties can be caused by:
- Asthma
- Heartworm
- Injury or Trauma
- Pain
- Allergic reaction
- Pneumonia
- Nervousness/Anxiety
- Upper Respiratory Infection
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Respiratory infection
- Pulmonary edema
- Heart failure or heart disease
- Heart murmur
- Tumors
- Fluid build-up
- Foreign objects blocking windpipe
- Pleural effusion
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If a cat is panting after a walk, exercise, or exciting adventure like a vet visit, it could be a sign of excitement, stress, or exhaustion. This is normal. Let your cat cool down in air conditioning or a cool location and give them plenty of water.
If your cat is having difficulty breathing and there’s no obvious cause, it may be time to call the veterinarian.
What you can do before an emergency veterinary hospital appointment
There are a few steps you can do before taking your cat to an emergency vet appointment. Make sure your cat’s airway is clear. Check for objects stuck in the throat without sticking your fingers in their mouths. Wipe away any nasal discharge.
Avoid stressing your cat by chasing or restraining them. Since anxiety and stress can cause rapid breathing, it’s important to keep your cat calm.
If your cat has difficulty traveling, ask your vet how to safely transport them to the office.
How vets treat rapid breathing in cats
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.
Vets will first observe how the cat breathes and listen to their chest for any evidence of a heart murmur or fluid buildup. They will check the color of your cat’s tongue and gums.
Vets will determine the underlying cause through blood work, endoscopy, and other methods. Vets may use x-rays or ultrasounds to examine the heart and lungs to identify any tumors, foreign objects, or fluid build ups. If it’s a suspected heart issue, vets may run an ECG (electrocardiogram).
Cats may get medication or antibiotics, either by mouth or intravenously. If the cause is due to an infection or pneumonia, vets may prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. If the cause is allergies, vets may prescribe antihistamines.
Severe rapid breathing problems will require a stay at the veterinary hospital. Vets can constantly monitor cats while they administer oxygen, fluids, or medication. Vets will sometimes offer oxygen via a face mask in an emergency. 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:
In many cases, cats can make a full recovery from rapid breathing as long as immediate veterinary care is taken. Some conditions may require ongoing care. Future veterinary appointments, specialized care, or medication may be necessary.