My cat had a lung issue. What is a normal breathing rate for recovery?

Yes it is normal for you to be able to see her chest rise and fall as she breathes but she shouldn't be breathing fast. Usually when resting they will have a respiratory rate of less that 20 breaths per minute. You can count this by counting each rise in her chest over a minute. If she is breathing rapidly or open mouth breathing then there is likely something seriously wrong like a respiratory infection or heart problem. And I would advise you to seek medical attention as soon as possible. I hope this helps.

A kitten's normal respiratory rate is between 20 to 40 breaths per minute, but it can be higher if they are awake and playing. The best time to measure Sadie's respiratory rate is while she is sleeping. Any other time, breathing can be confused with her purring or increased breathing from activity and play. Watch her while she is sound asleep, and count her respiratory rate then. If there is no increased effort while breathing, the rate is between 20-40 breaths per minute, her breathing is not noisy, and her eating, drinking, and activity is normal, then there likely is no problem. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is normal for cats to slow down as they age. If you are concerned about your cats activity, I recommend having her seen by a vet to make sure she doesn’t have an underlying medical issue. You should also make sure your cat has not lost weight recently, as that is a common symptom of illness. A respiratory rate of 25 is relatively normal for cats, but if you think she is having trouble breathing, she should be seen by a vet immediately. I hope all is well and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Kittens can breathe quite rapidly, even when they are sleeping, especially if they are dreaming. As long as his breathing rate is able to slow to a more normal rate, like 30-50 breaths per minute, and he is otherwise acting normally (eating/drinking well with a good energy level), he will likely be just fine! If he even seems distressed with his breathing, or he is coughing or sneezing a lot, he should be seen by a veterinarian. I hope this is helpful!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The best way to measure respiratory rates in animals is when they are asleep. In cats and young animals it is very hard when they are awake as they are sniffing and in cats they purr. I would count his breathing the next time he is in a deep sleep and not purring. I think he is likely fine. He is a young cat and as long as he isn't coughing (sounds like a hair ball) or open mouth panting I think things are fine. if you are still concerned then I would have your Vet examine him. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is considered very abnormal in a cat. Abnormal breathing in a cat can occur from conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, asthma, bronchitis, among other possibilities. If her pulse (not respiratory rate) really is 70 bpm as you pointed out that is very abnormal for a cat and at the same time even if it was her respiratory rate it would also be abnormal. For that reason, I highly recommend that you have Marciella evaluated by your local emergency clinic or your veterinarian if open as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include chest radiographs. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck!

I certainly hope Thor will be fine! Unfortunately, without seeing him in person, I can't say for sure he will be ok, but it's good that he is eating and sleeping well. The diuretics are used to drain the fluid in his lungs, and the antibiotics are used to treat infection. A cat's normal breathing rate is 20-30 breaths per minute, so Thor's is a little high at the moment, but not alarmingly so at the moment I would keep following the vet's instructions, give him his medications as necessary, and call the vet with any questions or concerns.