Many dogs breathe 10 to 30 times per minute;for cats, the rate is 10 to 40 times a minute. Dogs who are hot or exercising breathe faster and may pant up to 200 breathes per minute. Panting and open-mouthed breathing are considered danger signs in cats because they don’t use panting routinely as a means to cool off the way dogs do.
Monitoring Respiration
When your pet is resting quietly, anything other than quiet, effortless breathing requires medical attention and possibly artificial respiration.
| Respiratory Signs | What They Mean | Call the Vet? |
| Effortless breathing, quiet to soundless | Normal | NO |
| Increased respiratory rate | First sign of breathing problems | YES, immediately, if condition is worsening. If respiratory rate is increased but problem is not worsening, call the vet the same day. |
| Excessive panting or gasping; dogs stand with elbows outward, cats sit crouched with head and neck extended | Emergency!Progression to early respiratory failure | YES, immediately |
| Labored, open-mouthed breathing and blue gums | Emergency! Pulmonary failure; pet is suffocating | YES, immediately |
| Slowed, shallow, or stopped breathing, unconsciousness imminent | Emergency! Respiratory collapse; prepare for artificial respiration | YES, immediately |
Shojai, Amy D. The First Aid Companion For Dogs & Cats. Rodale, Inc., 2001.