Pet owner information
One of the most useful ways to monitor dogs and cats with heart disease is by checking their sleeping breathing rate. When fluid begins to build up in the lungs, breathing usually becomes faster and deeper, often before other symptoms appear. Monitoring breathing rates at home is a simple and reliable way to detect early problems.
When should I measure my dog or cat’s breathing rate?
Breathing rate should be measured when they are:
- Asleep or resting quietly
- Have been asleep for at least 20 minutes
- Calm and not dreaming or panting
Breathing rates increase when dogs and cats are awake, excited, or exercising, so these times are not accurate for monitoring.
How do I measure the breathing rate?
Watch your dog or cat’s chest while they are asleep. Count how many times the chest rises in 30 seconds (note that their chest will move up once and down once in each breath, so we just count the times the chest moves up). Double the answer to give breaths per minute.
Example: 12 breaths in 30 seconds = 24 breaths per minute
What is a normal breathing rate?
Most dogs and cats have a sleeping breathing rate of less than 20 breaths per minute Occasionally the rate may briefly go above this (for example if your dog is dreaming or they are very warm).
When should I contact my vet?
You should contact your vet if:
- The breathing rate is consistently over 30 breaths per minute
- The breathing rate is gradually increasing over several days
- Your dog or cat appears to be breathing harder or with more effort
This may indicate fluid building up in the lungs and may require urgent treatment.
How often should I measure the breathing rate?
Once your dog or cat has been diagnosed with heart disease, we recommend measuring
the breathing rate once a day, and ideally at the same time each day. Keeping a simple
record can be very helpful for your vet when adjusting medications. There is a free
smartphone app that can help measure and record breathing rates. Search for “Cardalis”
in your app store.