Fast breathing is a very concerning symptom in cats. Stress and intense exercise commonly cause fast breathing, but if these are not the cause or the breathing isn’t returning to normal, a serious condition may be present.
Most cats will only breathe with their mouth open if they are very stressed or have a serious problem. Normal breathing movements in cats are very subtle and silent. Any breathing changes lasting more than a few minutes should be discussed with a vet, and this is urgent if the breathing is getting worse or if it is noisy or laboured.
Recording breaths per minute at rest is a useful way to monitor chronic conditions, especially those affecting the heart and lungs.
What to do if my cat is breathing fast >What to do if my cat is breathing fast [What to doCommon causes of fast breathing in cats >Common causes of fast breathing in cats [CausesWhen to worry about fast breathing >When to worry about fast breathing [When to worryPrevention tips to avoid fast breathing in cats >Prevention tips to avoid fast breathing in cats [PreventionDiagnosis of fast breathing in cats >Diagnosis of fast breathing in cats [DiagnosisHome remedies for fast breathing in cats >Home remedies for fast breathing in cats [Home remediesVet treatment for fast breathing in cats >Vet treatment for fast breathing in cats [Vet treatmentCats at higher risk for breathing problems >Cats at higher risk for breathing problems [Risk