Respiration Rate for Cats

Knowing the basic facts about your pet's bodily functions can help you assess whether or not you are dealing with an emergency. Of all the vital functions of the body, breathing is one of the most important but also one of the hardest to accurately read.

  1. Identification

    • Respiration rate refers to the number of breaths a cat takes within the span of a minute. Breaths may be monitored for a period of 15 seconds and multiplied by four.

    Considerations

    • Respiration rates should be measured while a cat is at rest. Cats who are panicked or hurt may have elevated or depressed respiratory rates.

    Misconceptions

    • The rate of respiration varies a great deal among cats. A cat's age, size, overall health and physical fitness have an impact on the way it breathes.

    Average

    • The average respiratory rate for cats is 16 to 40 breaths per minute, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.

    Procedure

    • To measure a cat's respiration rate, visually observe how many times the cat inhales and exhales.