A resting pet should look effortless. A tired body, sometimes light, peaceful snoring. It’s a scene every owner is familiar with. But when breathing changes, that’s different. It’s one of the most important indicators of a pet’s health and can signal serious underlying conditions. Rapid or laboured breathing is often distressing and can escalate quickly without intervention, so it’s important to keep an eye on it and act fast if you’re concerned.

At Nexus Emergency Vet, we provide fast, transparent and compassionate urgent and emergency care for pets in Adelaide, with the human animal bond at the centre of it all. We know your pet is family, and we treat them like part of ours. Knowing what’s normal for cats and dogs makes it easier to make informed decisions when something isn’t right.

When in a calm, resting or sleeping state, most dogs and cats breathe around 15-30 breaths per minute. Anything above this range, particularly over 30-35 at rest, is generally considered abnormal. And if it’s abnormal, pay attention.

The most accurate way to check this is while your pet is fully relaxed or asleep, as activity, stress, panting or purring can temporarily increase the rate and give a false reading. To check, count one breath each time the chest rises and falls over a set time of one minute (or 30 seconds, then double the result). It also helps to know what’s normal for your pet. A gradual increase over time or a consistent elevation at rest can be an early sign of heart or lung strain, even before any other symptoms appear.

What’s the difference between fast and laboured breathing? Good question. Fast breathing (tachypnoea) is an increase in the number of breaths per minute, even if the effort looks fairly normal. Potential underlying causes include pain, stress, heat or early heart or lung disease. Laboured breathing (increased respiratory effort) means the body is having to work harder to move air. This is often more serious and can be a sign of reduced oxygen exchange, airway obstruction or fluid affecting the lungs. Both fast and laboured breathing should be taken seriously, as they can point to different stages of disease or different types of compromise.

Some of the visible signs to look for are:

• Open-mouth breathing in cats. This is never normal outside of extreme stress or exertion. It is an emergency that is often linked to respiratory or cardiac disease.
• Exaggerated chest movement. Deep, forceful breaths or visible rib expansion can be due to increased effort and difficulty moving air effectively.
• Abdominal effort. If you notice the stomach obviously pushing in and out with each breath, this can mean the body is recruiting extra muscles to breathe, which signals respiratory distress and should never be ignored.

Respiratory conditions

Infections like pneumonia or bronchitis can cause inflammation and fluid within the lungs, which reduces a pet’s ability to exchange oxygen properly. This leads to faster, more effortful breathing.

In cats, conditions such as feline asthma can narrow the airways and make it harder for air to move in and out. This can result in wheezing, coughing or increased respiratory effort.

A physical obstruction to the airway from a foreign object, swelling, tumour or upper airway disorder can partially block airflow and force the body to work harder to breathe.

Heart disease and fluid build up affecting oxygen exchange

Heart conditions, particularly congestive heart failure, can lead to fluid accumulation in or around the lungs and interfere with normal oxygen exchange. As this accumulation builds, the lungs can’t expand properly, and the efficiency of oxygen delivery to the body declines. Increased breathing rate follows.

Other non-respiratory causes

There are many additional causes of rapid or laboured breathing in cats and dogs that aren’t respiratory in nature. Pain or stress, for example, can increase breathing rate as a normal physiological response, even when the lungs themselves are fine. Heatstroke or overheating can also cause faster breathing or panting as the body tries to regulate temperature, and this can become life-threatening. Trauma, internal bleeding, metabolic conditions or systemic illness can all affect oxygen demand and delivery, leading to changes in breathing as the body tries to compensate.

Breathing changes can deteriorate quickly, and it’s not something to wait out at home. If you’re seeing any of the signs below, it’s safest to have your pet assessed as soon as possible:

• Breathing changes alongside lethargy, collapse, pale gums or clear distress
• Noisy breathing, coughing, wheezing or inability to settle comfortably
• Sudden onset or symptoms that are getting worse, especially while at rest

If your pet is struggling to breathe, keep them calm and as still as you can, then head straight to your regular vet or an emergency service. Don’t try to treat it at home or wait to see if it gets better. Remember, breathing difficulties often have a serious underlying cause. Call on the way if you can, but don’t delay seeking care.

Many respiratory and cardiac causes of rapid or laboured breathing benefit from early assessment and intervention. When treatment begins before oxygen levels drop to a critical point, there is a reduced risk of organ damage, and it may also help prevent the condition from progressing or becoming more difficult to stabilise. Delays can also lead to secondary complications.

At Nexus, our facility is fully equipped with advanced technology and staff who are highly experienced in treating patients with breathing difficulties.

If your pet is showing clear signs of an emergency, such as breathing difficulties, come straight in. For guidance on less urgent concerns, feel free to contact our 24/7 nurse chat.