Checking a Resting Breathing Rate in your Cat

How to check the resting breathing rate of your cat at home

In this guide, we’ll show you how to measure your cat’s resting breathing rate at home.

This is something we might recommend if your cat has heart disease or lower airway disease. Tracking their breathing rate helps us monitor how they’re responding to treatment or if their condition is worsening.

The most important thing to remember is to take the breathing rate when your cat is completely relaxed or asleep.

If your cat is awake, playing or excited, their breathing rate will naturally be higher, and that won’t give us an accurate reading.

How to measure the breathing rate?

Here’s how you can do it:

Watch the chest movement:

Find a time when your cat is resting or sleeping. You’ll need to observe the movement of their chest—each breath consists of one “out and in” motion.

Every time your cat’s chest rises and falls, that counts as one breath.

Count the breaths:

Measure the number of breaths over 15 seconds. Just count each out-and-in motion of the chest.

Calculate the Breathing rate:
Once you’ve counted the breaths over 15 seconds, multiply that number by four to get the breathing rate per minute. For example, if you count eight breaths in 15 seconds, the breathing rate is 32 breaths per minute.

What’s a normal resting breathing rate?
A healthy, resting cat typically has a breathing rate of under 30 to 35 breaths per minute. If your cat’s breathing rate is higher than 35 while they are resting, please contact your vet or the hospital for advice.

Helpful tools

If counting breaths manually is challenging, apps can help you track your cat’s breathing rate.

Remember, regular monitoring can provide valuable information about your cat’s health. If you notice an elevated breathing rate, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.

Are you worried about your cat’s health?

If you are concerned about your cat, please reach out to our friendly team. Call us on 1300 228 377 or fill out the contact form below. In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

For vets – to refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation, please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form.

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Our commitment to feline health is best seen in the stories of the cats we’ve had the privilege of treating. These journeys highlight the dedication, expertise and compassion that drive us.

Each patient faced unique challenges, and it was our honour to offer high-quality care and help them regain strength and happiness. We value the deep bonds with cats and their owners, knowing the difference we make in their lives.

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Contacting Us

Pet Owners
If you would like to talk about treatment for your cat, call us on 1300 228 377 or fill in the form.
In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

Vets and Nurses
To refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form. For advice calls, please see the guidelines here.

1300 228 377

1-15 Lexington Rd,
Underwood, QLD, AU, 4119

Monday-Friday: 8 am-6 pm
Saturday/Sunday - Closed