How can I tell if my cat’s breathing is normal? Sometimes it sounds strange.

Healthy cats take between 15-60 breaths per minute. When a cat sleeps it should not take more than 30 breaths per minute. If you find your cat takes more than 30 breaths per minute at rest it may be suffering from airway or heart disease. An appointment with a veterinarian is recommended.

Cats normally breathe through their nose. Something is terribly wrong if they breathe through their mouth. If this is the case with your cat you need to seek emergency veterinary care. Likewise, if you find your cat has started to use more abdominal force when it breathes.

Normally cats are silent breathers; you should not hear any strange sounds from their nose, throat, airway or lungs. Purring is the only sound they make that is normal.

Breathing difficulty can be due to a number of different things. The best thing to do is to book an appointment for an examination with a veterinarian. Often x-rays of the airways will need to be taken. An examination of the airways under anaesthesia may also be recommended.