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My cat is breathing fast while nursing kittens. Should I worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed

My cat who is nursing kittens has been noticeably breathing fast, from what I can count i say shes breathing at about 35-40 bpm

1 Answer

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Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on June 13th, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Fast respiration is a common finding in nursing cats, particularly with the first litter. If Lily is nursing the kittens well, is eating and drinking and acting as normal, you should just monitor her at home. However, if she goes off food and becomes lethargic you should take her to your local vets for an appointment. In that case, she should be checked for fever, mastitis, uterine infection, which could cause increase in respiratory rate in feeding cats.

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