Home Breathing Rate Evaluation

Did you know that you can help your veterinarian treat your pet’s heart disease by counting their breathing rate at home? You can also watch for other clues that your pet is not doing well. Using simple techniques, you can become an invaluable part of your pet’s healthcare team.

Why should I evaluate my pet’s breathing rate at home?

An increase in your pet’s breathing rate while resting quietly or sleeping is an important early clue (clinical sign) that your pet may be developing heart failure and needs to see your veterinarian. Your observations can help limit how sick your pet becomes, reduce the chances that your pet will have to stay overnight in the hospital, and reduce the costs associated with heart failure treatment.

What is a normal breathing rate (resting or sleeping)?

A normal breathing rate while resting calmly or sleeping is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute, for all normal dogs and cats, dogs and cats with asymptomatic heart disease, and dogs diagnosed with heart failure that is well-controlled with medication. Lower rates are possible and are no cause for concern, providing your pet is otherwise acting normally. It is considered normal for breathing rates to be much higher than this when dogs and cats are hot, stressed, or active.

Resting/sleeping breathing rates that are consistently greater than 30 breaths per minute are increased and considered abnormal. For some individuals, rates lower than 30 breaths per minute may be considered increased and abnormal by your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian what rate is considered increased and abnormal for your dog or cat.

What should I do if my pet’s resting or sleeping breathing rate is increased?

First, count the breathing rate a few times over the next couple of hours to ensure it is a consistent finding. If the breathing rate is consistently increased, then you need to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Typically, your veterinarian will recommend a recheck appointment in the next day or two, so medications can be adjusted.

If the resting/sleeping breathing rate is increased and other clinical signs are observed, then the situation may represent an emergency. In this case, especially if it is after hours, you may need to go to a veterinary emergency center.

What clinical signs are associated with heart disease or heart failure in dogs and cats?

The following signs are associated with heart disease and heart failure in dogs and cats:

• Fast breathing when resting or sleeping (more than 30 breaths per minute)
• Increased effort associated with breathing (labored breathing)
• Restlessness, agitation, and difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep
• A change in how they sleep (e.g., if your pet normally sleeps on his back or on his side, or curled up in a ball, and now sleeps sitting up or in a “sphinx” position)
• Coughing or gagging
• Weakness
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Collapse or fainting
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Distended abdomen/belly
• Depressed attitude or quiet and not interactive

The following signs occur in cats only:

• Hind leg lameness or weakness
• Hind end paralysis
• Front leg lameness
• Pain

How do I count the resting or sleeping breathing rate in my pet?

It is best to wait until your pet is sleeping, but your pet may be resting quietly. It is important that cats not be purring when you count their breathing rate. The sleeping breathing rate is typically a little lower than the resting breathing rate.

1. Watch your pet’s chest; it moves in and out as they breathe. Count one breath when the chest has moved in and out once.
2. Use your watch or phone to time 30 seconds and count how many breaths occur during that 30 second period.
3. Multiply the number of breaths you counted by 2 to get the number of breaths in 60 seconds (1 minute). Alternatively, you can count the total number of breaths that occur during in 60 seconds, and then there is no need to multiply.
4. Keep a record of the breathing rates you count (e.g., in a notebook or calendar). There are some free smartphone apps that can help you keep track of your pet’s home breathing rate.

How often should I count the breathing rate in my pet?

Typically, your veterinarian will have you count the breathing rate once per day for a week while you are learning, so you become comfortable performing this exercise. This allows you and your veterinarian to learn your pet’s normal resting/sleeping breathing rate.

If your pet has asymptomatic heart disease (i.e., is not demonstrating any clinical signs), you may not need to evaluate their home breathing rate; your veterinarian will tell you if you need to start monitoring. It is usually most important to start monitoring in pets with advanced asymptomatic heart disease that have a high risk of developing heart failure within the next year. In this case, breathing rates are typically recorded once or twice per week, although your veterinarian may ask you to monitor it more frequently—even once a day.

If your pet has heart failure, and is now taking medications such as furosemide (a diuretic), you should evaluate their home breathing rate at least once per day.