People usually end up reading about a cat’s respiratory system after noticing something small but odd: a new cough, a stuffy nose, faster breathing at rest, or a brief bout of open-mouth breathing. These signs can be harmless and short-lived, or they can be the first visible edge of a serious problem where oxygen isn’t moving properly.
Below is a clear, practical map of how cats breathe, what “normal” tends to look like at home, and the red flags that deserve urgent veterinary attention. It also outlines common conditions (like “cat flu” and asthma), how vets investigate breathing problems, and what day-to-day management usually involves.1, 2
Anatomy of the feline respiratory system (the parts air travels through)
Air typically enters through the nose (and sometimes the mouth), then moves down the windpipe (trachea). The trachea branches into the right and left bronchi, which divide into smaller bronchioles inside the lungs. At the end sit the alveoli: tiny air sacs where oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it to be breathed out.1
Breathing is powered mainly by the diaphragm, a broad muscle that changes pressure inside the chest so air flows in and out. Healthy airways also warm, humidify and filter what’s inhaled, trapping many particles in mucus so they can be swallowed or coughed out, while the immune system handles much of the rest.1, 2
How cats compare with humans
The basic layout is familiar: nose, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli. The big difference, day to day, is how quietly cats cope. Mild respiratory disease can look like “just a bit off” until breathing effort increases, at which point stress and handling can make things worse surprisingly fast.1
How cats breathe (and why it matters)
On an inhale, the diaphragm contracts and the chest expands, drawing air down into the lungs. In the alveoli, a very thin membrane separates air from blood, allowing gas exchange: oxygen in, carbon dioxide out. When this exchange becomes inefficient, cats can become seriously unwell because every organ depends on steady oxygen delivery.1, 2
A simple home check: resting respiratory rate
When your cat is asleep or resting calmly, a typical breathing rate is about 15–30 breaths per minute. Rates that are consistently above 30 at rest are considered increased and worth discussing with your vet (especially if you also notice effort, noise, or a change in posture).8
Common respiratory problems in cats
Upper respiratory infections (“cat flu” and similar)
Upper respiratory infections affect areas like the nose, sinuses, throat and larynx. They’re common where cats are in close contact (shelters, catteries, multi-cat homes), and they often cause sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, coughing, lethargy and reduced appetite. In more severe cases, breathing can become difficult.3
Vaccination has reduced the incidence of severe disease, but it hasn’t eliminated the contagious pathogens that circulate in cat populations.3
Lower airway disease (including feline asthma)
Feline asthma is an inflammatory lower-airway condition that narrows the breathing tubes and makes airflow harder, especially on the way out. Signs can include coughing or hacking, wheeze, rapid breathing, increased effort, and in more serious episodes, open-mouth breathing or a “neck stretched forward” posture during an attack.4, 5
Treatment commonly includes corticosteroids to reduce airway inflammation, sometimes alongside bronchodilators to help open the airways. These medicines may be given by tablet, injection, or inhaler (using a spacer and mask made for cats).5, 6
When it isn’t “just respiratory”
Coughing or laboured breathing can come from problems outside the airways, too, including conditions affecting the heart or fluid in/around the lungs. That’s one reason vets are cautious about owners trialling leftover medicines at home: the right drug for one cause can be unhelpful, or risky, for another.5
Symptoms to watch for
Respiratory signs often cluster. Pay attention to changes in both sound and effort, not just rate.
- Coughing (dry, hacking, or frequent bouts)4
- Wheezing or noisy breathing4
- Sneezing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, conjunctivitis3
- Fast breathing at rest (especially >30 breaths/min consistently)8
- Reduced appetite, lethargy, “not quite themselves”3
Red flags: treat as urgent
- Open-mouth breathing or panting (not normal for cats)7, 9
- Blue-tinged or very pale gums7, 9
- Obvious effort to breathe (abdominal heaving, neck extended, unable to settle)9
- Collapse, extreme weakness, or sudden worsening9
When to seek veterinary care (and what to do on the way)
If breathing looks abnormal, especially if your cat is working to breathe or breathing with an open mouth, it’s safest to treat it as an emergency. Minimise handling and excitement, keep them cool and quiet, and transport them in a carrier straight to a vet or emergency hospital.7, 9
One small detail matters here: stress can tip a struggling cat over the edge. Quiet movement, a dark carrier, and no forced exercise are not “comfort measures”; they reduce oxygen demand while you get help.9
How vets diagnose respiratory problems
Diagnosis usually starts with history and examination, then moves to tests that show where the problem sits: upper airway, lower airway, lungs themselves, or the space around the lungs. Common investigations include:
- Chest X-rays (to assess lungs, airways, and patterns suggesting asthma, infection, fluid, or other disease)1, 6
- Blood tests (to look for infection/inflammation and broader health clues)1
- Airway sampling or bronchoscopy in selected cases (especially when signs persist, are severe, or don’t respond as expected)6
For feline asthma specifically, there’s no single definitive test; vets diagnose it by assessing patterns of signs, ruling out other causes, and using response to appropriate therapy as part of the overall picture.5
Treatment and management
Treatment depends on the cause
Respiratory care isn’t one-size-fits-all. A cat with a viral upper respiratory infection may need supportive care and careful monitoring, while asthma often needs long-term anti-inflammatory medication, and severe breathing distress may need oxygen and urgent stabilisation.1, 3, 5
Managing chronic lower-airway disease at home (practical habits)
- Keep air clean: avoid cigarette smoke, strong fragrances, aerosol sprays, and dusty litters where possible.6
- Track resting respiratory rate a few times a week when your cat is asleep, and note trends rather than one-off spikes.8
- Use inhalers correctly if prescribed (spacer + mask), and ask your veterinary team to watch your technique at rechecks.6
- Plan calm vet visits for chronic cases (quiet carrier, minimal waiting-room time if possible). Stress can magnify breathing effort.
Preventative care for healthier breathing
Vaccination and sensible risk reduction
Vaccination remains a key tool for reducing severe respiratory disease, particularly against common infectious causes included in “core” cat vaccines such as those covering feline herpesvirus and calicivirus (often discussed as part of F3 schedules in Australia). Your vet can tailor timing and boosters to your cat’s exposure risk and local conditions.3, 10
In multi-cat settings, reducing crowding, improving ventilation, and keeping sick cats separate can lower spread of respiratory infections. These diseases move readily through direct contact and contaminated surfaces, especially when cats are stressed or housed closely together.3
Quick note on purring (a common misconception)
Purring is produced by structures in the larynx (voice box) and airflow through the upper airway. It can occur when cats are relaxed, but it’s also seen when cats are unwell or painful, so it isn’t a reliable “all clear” sign for breathing health.2
Final thoughts
A cat’s respiratory system is built for quiet efficiency: clean air in, gas exchange in the alveoli, carbon dioxide out. When something interferes with that flow, the earliest clues are often small—an extra breath per minute at rest, a new cough, a change in effort, a posture that looks slightly braced.
If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of caution. Open-mouth breathing, blue or pale gums, or visible struggle to breathe should be treated as urgent, with calm handling and immediate veterinary care.7, 9
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner) — Introduction to Lung and Airway Disorders of Cats
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional) — The Respiratory System in Animals
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Respiratory Infections
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Asthma: What You Need to Know
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional) — Feline Bronchial Asthma (Allergic Bronchitis)
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Treatment Instructions for Asthma and Bronchitis in Cats
- AAHA — Recognising Respiratory Distress in Pets
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Home Breathing Rate Evaluation
- Lort Smith Animal Hospital — Breathing Difficulty in Cats
- University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney — Vaccinations (Cats/Kittens)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom