When a cat is having difficulty breathing, the heart and lungs may be working extremely hard to compensate. Because of this, breathing problems can quickly get out of hand and become very serious. If the difficulty is severe, take your cat to the closest vet immediately. Even if it doesn’t seem so bad or you’re unsure, speak to a vet as soon as you can.

Difficulty breathing in cats can be a serious issue and may require immediate veterinary attention. If your cat is struggling to breathe, stay calm, move them to a quiet area if safe to do so, and contact a vet. Emergency signs include blue or pale gums, airway obstruction, restlessness, severe tummy effort to breathe, and collapse. Common causes range from allergic to infections, heart disease, and trauma.  Short-nosed breeds, older cats, and those with certain conditions are at higher risk of respiratory problems.

What to do

What to do if my cat is having difficulty breathing

Try to stay calm and remove anything that may cause stress to your cat. Try to make sure they are in a cool and well-ventilated area, if possible.

Get a vet check if your cat’s breathing has changed. The faster the change, the more urgent the problem is.

If your cat has been in a hot or poorly ventilated space, and you are concerned about heat stroke, please see further advice here.

Causes

Common causes of difficulty breathing in cats

• Feline asthma
• Airway infections such as cat flu or pneumonia
• Anaemia
• Foreign bodies in the airways
• Road traffic accidents or other trauma causing pulmonary bruising or diaphragmatic hernias
• Heart disease or other causes of fluid build-up in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)
• Infection or fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Lumps or masses in or around the airways

When to worry

When to worry about difficulty breathing in cats

Take your cat to an emergency vet straight away if:

• Gums or tongue look blue, purple or pale
• You can see something obstructing the airway that cannot be safely removed
• Your cat is breathing with the mouth open, neck extended, front limbs spread apart and cannot lie down or settle
• Breathing is noisy, especially if wheezing is present
• They have collapsed or are not interacting with you

Seek veterinary advice immediately if:

• Breathing sounds abnormal
• The abdomen moves strongly with the breath
• Your cat is distressed or acting out of character

Prevention

How to prevent breathing difficulties in cats

• Neutering may reduce roaming and help prevent accidents and injuries
• Vaccinations will limit the risk of some infections that cause airway disease
• Obesity worsens anatomical issues, especially in short-nosed breeds. Keeping a healthy weight is very important
• Regular monitoring and treatment may prevent some complications from chronic heart and lung disease
• Lungworm is becoming more common all over the UK. It is more common in dogs but cats can also be affected. Other parasites can be contracted during hunting and roaming. Regular deworming with special products can prevent problems

Diagnosis

Things to look out for when your cat is having difficulty breathing

Normal breathing should be effortless, with gentle movements of the chest and a steady rhythm. Cats should be able to lie comfortably and settle. There should be little to no movement of the nostrils and tummy. Breathing noises are common in short-nosed breeds, but any changes should be monitored, especially if sudden.

Normal breathing rate in cats is 20-30 breaths per minute at rest or when asleep.

When your cat is having difficulty breathing, you might notice:

• Panting and restlessness
• Breathing with the mouth open, neck extended, front limbs spread apart and cannot lie down
• Gums or tongue look blue, purple or pale
• Tummy effort
• Snoring-type noises or wheezy breathing

Home treatment

Home remedies for difficulty breathing in cats

There are no home remedies you can give your cat if they are having trouble breathing. If any of the changes above are present, please take your cat to be seen by a vet in practice immediately or speak to a vet for advice if you are not sure.

Our Joii vets are available 24/7 and can help you decide what you need to do.

Vet treatment

Vet treatment for difficulty breathing in cats

• By the time breathing changes become obvious, cats are usually oxygen deprived and need to have oxygen administered to them. This is usually done by placing them in a special box with high levels of oxygen flowing through.
• If there is fluid around the lungs, this will need to be drained (thoracocentesis)
• If the airway is collapsed or there is an obstruction that cannot be immediately removed, a tube may need to be inserted directly into the windpipe (tracheostomy)
• Asthma is treated with bronchodilators and steroids, either by nebulisation or injection
• Infections are usually treated with antibiotics and nebulisations
• Pulmonary oedema is treated with medications that help the body clear out fluid
• Trauma to the chest or abdomen may require emergency surgery

Risk

Is my cat at higher risk for breathing problems?

• Siamese and Oriental cats are at higher risk for asthma, mediastinal lymphoma (a type of cancer)  and chylothorax (a type of fluid build-up in the chest)
• Maine Coon and Ragdoll are at higher risk for some types of heart disease
• Cats that roam and fight are at higher risk for trauma and infection
• Short-nosed (brachycephalic) cats more commonly suffer from problems like heat stroke

Other causes of difficulty breathing

• Feline infectious peritonitis
• Severe tummy swelling
• Intoxications such as due to blue-green algae, anti-inflammatories or paracetamol
• Blood clots in the lungs (Pulmonary thromboembolism)
• Tumours/cancer
• Head trauma
• Smoke inhalation