Why Is My Cat Breathing from Their Belly?

When your cat is relaxing on their favorite windowsill or curled up in their bed, their breathing should be smooth and effortless. A healthy cat's breathing is so gentle that you might need to watch closely to even notice it happening. The chest should rise and fall in a steady, peaceful rhythm, without any noise or obvious effort.

In terms of specific numbers, cats typically take between 15 to 30 breaths per minute when they're at rest. To count your cat's breaths, watch their chest move up and down. Keep in mind that each rise and fall counts as one breath. The best time to check is when your cat is sleeping or deeply relaxed, not when they're playing or just finished exercising.

Abdominal breathing in cats occurs when they use their stomach muscles more noticeably during breathing, rather than relying primarily on their chest muscles. While cats normally use both chest and abdominal muscles to breathe, excessive abdominal movement during breathing often signals that your cat is working harder than usual to get enough air.

When a cat displays abdominal breathing, you'll notice their belly moving significantly with each breath, almost like a bellows. The stomach area may push out prominently when inhaling and sink in deeply when exhaling. This differs from normal breathing, where the movements are subtle and barely noticeable.

You might also notice that your cat position themselves in unusual ways, such as sitting upright with their head and neck extended forward, almost like they're craning their neck. Some cats will rest in a crouched position with their elbows held away from their body. You might also notice their nostrils flaring with each breath or hear unusual sounds like wheezing or crackling when they breathe.

Some cats will breathe with their mouth open, which is particularly concerning since cats normally breathe through their nose unless they're panting from heat or exercise.

If you notice these signs, it's important to understand that abdominal breathing often indicates respiratory distress. This pattern of breathing suggests your cat is struggling to get enough oxygen, which can be caused by various underlying conditions ranging from asthma to heart problems. In the following section, we will take a closer look at its most common causes.

Is your cat panting after playtime? Discover when heavy breathing in cats needs veterinary attention in our comprehensive guide.

Pleural pathologies

One of the most significant yet often overlooked causes of abdominal breathing in cats involves pleural pathologies, which are diseases affecting the membranes that line the lungs and chest cavity. The pleura consists of two layers: one covering the lung surface and another lining the chest wall, with a small space between them that normally contains a tiny amount of lubricating fluid.

The pleural space plays a crucial role in normal breathing mechanics. When diseases affect this area, cats often develop obvious abdominal breathing. Pleural conditions include:

• Pleural effusion: when fluid accumulates in the chest cavity, it can severely restrict lung expansion. This fluid might be blood from trauma or heart disease, lymph fluid (called chylous effusion), or inflammatory fluid from infections. Cats with pleural effusion often show extreme reluctance to lie down and may sit in a hunched position with their elbows held away from their chest.
• Pneumothorax: when air enters the chest cavity, it collapses portions of the lung. This can happen from trauma like a car accident or bite wound, or spontaneously when small air sacs in the lung rupture. These cats often show sudden, severe breathing difficulty and may appear anxious or distressed.
• Pleuritis: inflammation of the pleural membranes causes significant pain during breathing. Cats with pleuritis often take shallow, rapid breaths and may vocalize in pain when picked up or moved.

Respiratory conditions:

Respiratory conditions range from common to complex. Beyond pleural issues, primary lung conditions frequently cause abdominal breathing:

• Feline asthma: similar to human asthma, this condition causes airway inflammation and constriction. During an asthma attack, cats struggle particularly with exhaling, often crouching with their necks extended and using their abdominal muscles forcefully to push air out. You might hear wheezing or see them coughing in a characteristic posture that looks like trying to expel a hairball.
• Pneumonia: whether viral, bacterial, or fungal, pneumonia causes inflammation and fluid accumulation in the lungs themselves. These cats often show lethargy, fever, and reduced appetite alongside their breathing difficulties. They might also have nasal discharge or congestion.

Heart problems:

Heart problems significantly impact breathing patterns, particularly when they lead to fluid accumulation around the lungs. Such cardiac issues frequently lead to breathing problems through several mechanisms:

• Heart failure: when the heart can't pump efficiently, fluid backs up into or around the lungs. This creates a double challenge because the heart can't deliver oxygen effectively, and the fluid makes breathing physically harder. Cats might develop a pot-bellied appearance as their abdomen fills with fluid.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: this common heart disease in cats causes the heart muscle to thicken, reducing its ability to pump effectively. Early signs often include subtle breathing changes that gradually worsen. Some cats develop sudden, severe breathing difficulties if blood clots form and lodge in major vessels.

Physical trauma:

Sometimes, traumatic injuries affect breathing in several ways:

• Rib fractures: beyond the immediate pain, broken ribs can puncture lungs or restrict chest movement. Cats instinctively switch to abdominal breathing to minimize chest wall movement and reduce pain.
• Diaphragmatic hernias: when the diaphragm tears, abdominal organs can enter the chest cavity. This severely compromises breathing as the lungs have less space to expand. These cats often show varying severity of symptoms depending on which organs have herniated and how much lung space remains.

Other causes:

Several other conditions can lead to abdominal breathing:

• Neoplasia (tumors): whether primary lung tumors or metastatic disease, cancers in the chest can physically impede breathing. Tumors might grow in the lungs, pleural space, or mediastinum (the central chest cavity).
• Infectious diseases: upper respiratory infections, while usually less severe, can progress to pneumonia or pleuritis if left untreated. Certain viral infections can also trigger asthma-like reactions.
• Obesity: excess weight puts physical pressure on the diaphragm and makes breathing more difficult, particularly during exercise or in hot weather. Obese cats often show exercise intolerance and may breathe abdominally even with mild exertion.
• Infections and inflammation: these can affect both the airways and the pleural space. While viral and bacterial infections commonly cause upper respiratory symptoms, they can also lead to pleuritis, which is an inflammation of the pleural membranes themselves. This inflammation causes chest pain, making cats reluctant to use their chest muscles and instead rely on abdominal breathing.

Concerned about the unusual sounds your cat makes while breathing? Our other article helps you understand when those noises need veterinary attention.

When you notice your cat breathing abnormally, how you respond in those first moments can make a significant difference. First, try to keep yourself calm, cats are remarkably sensitive to our emotions and will pick up on any panic or stress. Create a quiet, cool environment for your cat by dimming lights, reducing noise, and ensuring good air circulation.

If your cat is experiencing breathing difficulties, avoid the temptation to pick them up or handle them excessively. Cats with respiratory distress often prefer to sit in a hunched position with their head extended forward and elbows out. This position helps them breathe more easily. Let them maintain whatever position they find most comfortable.

For long-term management, your veterinarian might recommend several approaches depending on the underlying cause:

For asthmatic cats, treatment often involves managing environmental triggers. This means keeping your home free from smoke, using unscented cat litter, and minimizing dust and strong cleaning products. Some cats might need regular medication through inhalers or oral medications.

Heart conditions usually require ongoing medication and regular veterinary monitoring. Your vet might recommend dietary changes, particularly if your cat needs to lose weight. Obesity can significantly impact breathing, so maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise is crucial.

If your cat has recovered from a respiratory infection, strengthening their immune system becomes important. This might involve ensuring proper vaccination status, maintaining good nutrition, and managing stress levels in your home.

Remember that breathing difficulties can worsen quickly. If your cat shows any signs of respiratory distress, particularly if they're breathing with an open mouth or have blue-tinged gums, consider it an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Wondering why your cat sometimes breathes like a dog? Our other article explains this intriguing behavior and when to be concerned.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Is My Cat Breathing from Their Belly?, we recommend you visit our Breathing diseases category.