When your cat is experiencing a respiratory emergency, performing rescue breathing on the feline can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Instructions
Determine whether or not your cat is breathing by looking for the rise and fall of the chest as it inhales and exhales, or feel for respiration by placing your fingers under its nose.
Lie the cat on its right side and tilt the head back if it is not breathing. This opens the animal's airway.
Sweep the mouth with your finger. Create a hook with your pinky finger and sweep the mouth to remove any foreign bodies or mucus that may impede rescue breathing attempts.
Seal your mouth over the cat's nose and mouth. Make sure that the seal is airtight so that the air passes into the cat's lungs.
Blow gently into the animal's nose and watch for the chest to expand. If it does not, re-sweep the mouth and re-position the head. It is possible that the head is tilted too far in one direction, which collapses the airway.
Repeat the breathing procedure once every five seconds until your cat is breathing normally, or a veterinarian can take over. It is critical to continue oxygenating the brain until medical help is available.