Symptom · Dogs and cats
Fast breathing at rest: what it means and when to call the vet
Fast or effortful breathing while resting is an emergency, and so is any open-mouth breathing in a cat. Go to a vet now. Panting after exercise or in the heat that settles quickly is normal in dogs.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Heart failure
- Fluid or air around the lungs
- Pneumonia or asthma (cats)
- Heatstroke
- Pain, anaemia or poisoning
What you can do at home
- Keep your pet calm and cool
- Transport in a carrier or with minimal handling
- Call the clinic on the way
What the vet may do
- Oxygen straight away
- Chest X-rays and ultrasound
- Drain fluid or air if present
- Medicines for heart failure or asthma
Prevention
- For pets with heart disease, count sleeping breaths at home — over 30 a minute is a warning sign
The details
Counting resting breathing is one of the most useful things an owner of a pet with heart disease can do. Count the rise and fall of the chest for 30 seconds while your pet sleeps and double it. A rising count is often the first sign that treatment needs adjusting.
Questions owners ask
Is fast breathing at rest an emergency?
Yes — treat it as an emergency and go to a vet now. Go now if you see: a cat breathing with its mouth open; breathing with visible effort — belly heaving, elbows out; blue, grey or pale gums; fast breathing that does not settle with rest and cool air.
What causes fast breathing at rest?
Heart failure; Fluid or air around the lungs; Pneumonia or asthma (cats); Heatstroke; Pain, anaemia or poisoning.
What can I do at home?
Keep your pet calm and cool. Transport in a carrier or with minimal handling. Call the clinic on the way.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts