What to do if your cat's breathing rate is particularly fast

There are three main reasons to consider when your cat's breathing is particularly fast: weather, exercise, and collective health issues. Generally, a cat's breathing rate is around 30 to 40 breaths per minute. When a cat is awake, its breathing rate is faster than when it is asleep. When a cat's breathing rate increases, the abdominal movements become more prominent. If your cat is breathing particularly fast, owners should pay great attention and take their cats to the pet hospital in time to avoid delayed treatment that could lead to the cat's death.

Here are some reasons for accelerated breathing in cats:

1. Fast breathing caused by weather

Cat's sweat glands are not well developed, and the main ones are concentrated in the paw pads and armpits. When the surrounding environment temperature is high, it can cause the cat's breathing rate to increase. At the same time, the cat will stick out its tongue to exhale and cool down. In this case, owners are advised to move their cats to a shady place, otherwise, the cat may easily suffer from heatstroke, which can be fatal.

2. Fast breathing caused by exercise

After strenuous exercise, a cat's breathing rate may also increase. This reason will not harm the cat's body, so owners don't need to worry too much. After resting for a few minutes, the cat's breathing rate will return to normal.

3. Fast breathing caused by health issues

When a cat suffers from respiratory diseases (such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, etc.), heart diseases (such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valve disease, etc.), or pleural effusion, abscess, etc., it will exhibit increased breathing rate and difficulty breathing. At the same time, the cat may show symptoms of lethargy and loss of appetite. Owners are advised to take their cats to the hospital for blood tests, cardiopulmonary function checks, and chest X-rays to see if there is pleural fluid. After determining the cause, follow the doctor's advice to adopt appropriate treatment measures and provide the cat with proper nutrients.