My 15-year-old cat is tired and sleeping deeper. Is this normal?

Hi and thank you for your question this morning. Cats who are younger (11 months and younger) can have a higher heart rate and higher respiratory rate. 60 breaths/min can be considered normal in kittens without any signs of respiratory distress or upper respiratory signs (coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, etc). If all else is considered normal, this is OK. Sometimes when they are asleep or have a dream, their respiratory rate can increase. If they are hot, this can also increase respiratory rate. If you are still concerned though, you can always have Brianna checked out by your local veterinarian just to be certain all is okay. I hope his helps and best withes to you! Thanks for using Boop by Petco!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. Kittens can breathe quite rapidly, even when they are sleeping, especially if they are dreaming. As long as his breathing rate is able to slow to a more normal rate, like 30-50 breaths per minute, and he is otherwise acting normally (eating/drinking well with a good energy level), he will likely be just fine! If he even seems distressed with his breathing, or he is coughing or sneezing a lot, he should be seen by a veterinarian. I hope this is helpful!

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! The best way to measure respiratory rates in animals is when they are asleep. In cats and young animals it is very hard when they are awake as they are sniffing and in cats they purr. I would count his breathing the next time he is in a deep sleep and not purring. I think he is likely fine. He is a young cat and as long as he isn't coughing (sounds like a hair ball) or open mouth panting I think things are fine. if you are still concerned then I would have your Vet examine him. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is considered very abnormal in a cat. Abnormal breathing in a cat can occur from conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, asthma, bronchitis, among other possibilities. If her pulse (not respiratory rate) really is 70 bpm as you pointed out that is very abnormal for a cat and at the same time even if it was her respiratory rate it would also be abnormal. For that reason, I highly recommend that you have Marciella evaluated by your local emergency clinic or your veterinarian if open as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include chest radiographs. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck!

It sounds like she is in good health for her age, but that being said, any abrupt change in behavior is a good reason to go to the vet for an exam and senior labwork, if you haven't had that done lately. Cats are excellent at hiding symptoms of illness, so this could be an early warning that she might be developing a medical condition that needs attention. If you're concerned enough to ask about it, then it is a significant enough change to warrant investigation.

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Heavy breathing is certainly abnormal in cats. It can be seen with conditions like asthma, heart disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, among other possibilities. This is usually concerning in cats and warrants a visit to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and possible treatment. They will likely going to perform thoracic radiographs, among other diagnostics dependent on the results obtained. Treatment would be dependent on the findings. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi there. A sleeping respiratory rate of less than 25 breaths per minute is considered normal in cats, so this is definitely a good sign :) If she's not showing any symptoms of illness and her breathing rate is normal, then she may be fully recovered. If you're not sure, I would recommend taking her in to your vet for a recheck to be safe :)

Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Lethargy can be caused by a lot of things including an infection, inflammation, among other possibilities. This could also be normal in a kitten as they are not always very active at that age. If you think she is sick it would be best to have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Have a good night!

Moxie is such a handsome boy! While older cats do slow down as they age and sleep more, it can also be an indication of an illness. The best thing to do is have him checked out by a vet, and I would take him into the vet this week for a check up. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Yes it is normal for you to be able to see her chest rise and fall as she breathes but she shouldn't be breathing fast. Usually when resting they will have a respiratory rate of less that 20 breaths per minute. You can count this by counting each rise in her chest over a minute. If she is breathing rapidly or open mouth breathing then there is likely something seriously wrong like a respiratory infection or heart problem. And I would advise you to seek medical attention as soon as possible. I hope this helps.