A cat’s purr is a comforting sound to many people and is instantly recognizable as a sound of contentment. When cats purr, it’s usually a long and slow sound; however, cats can sometimes breathe faster when they purr, which is normally not a happy purr at all.
Click below to jump ahead:
- Purring and Breathing Fast in Cats
- Is My Cat Purring or Breathing Heavily?
- How do I Know if My Cat Is Breathing Too Fast?
Purring and Breathing Fast in Cats
Cats can also purr when they’re in pain, and the purring of a cat in pain is usually fast and short, matching the cat’s faster breath.
Tachypnea is the technical term for faster breathing than usual and is one way cats can express pain. If your cat is purring and breathing rapidly, it could be that they’re anxious or in pain.
A cat’s body language can also help you identify which type of purr they’re displaying. For example, a cat lying on its back and purring, with its eyes half closed and tail relaxed, usually means it’s very content.
Cats that are in pain may purr quickly and could hunch over or hide away. Flattened ears and dilated pupils are also signs of pain in cats but always check with your veterinarian when in doubt.
Some people think cats purr when they are in pain to try and comfort themselves, as a child would with their blanket, in a self-soothing way.
Other reasons people think that cats purr when they’re in pain include:
- For physical pain relief
- To control their breathing as tachypnea often occurs with painful conditions
- To speed up healing
Amazingly, cats purr at a very specific frequency. They purr at 25Hz to 100Hz, which is associated with increased bone and tissue growth to promote healing.
Is My Cat Purring or Breathing Heavily?
If you’re concerned about your cat breathing heavily, you can first look at its body language. If your cat is happy and relaxed, listen to them closely—if you hear a slow, continuous rumbling, your cat is purring.
A cat’s rumbling purr is air traveling through its larynx (the voice box) to produce a sound, which is why purring continues when the cat breathes both in and out. Usually, heavy breathing will not be rumbling, but it might sound different than normal. Signs that your cat is breathing heavily or is having trouble breathing include:
- Breathing from their tummy (known as abdominal breathing)
- Breathing with their mouth open
- Blue gums (known as cyanosis)
- Crackling sounds or wheezing
If your cat has any of these symptoms, you must take them to a vet straight away as a matter of urgency, as a cat who cannot breathe is in a very serious and dangerous condition.
How do I Know if My Cat Is Breathing Too Fast?
To check that your cat is breathing normally, or if you’re worried about your cat’s breathing, you can set a timer on your phone or use a watch to count down 30 seconds. Then, count how many breaths your cat takes in 30 seconds (or a minute if they’ll stay still that long). This should only be done when they aren’t purring, and are at rest, not playing.
If your cat takes more than 30 breaths in one minute (15 breaths in 30 seconds) when they are at rest, they are experiencing tachypnea and are breathing too quickly. If your cat is breathing too quickly but isn’t experiencing signs of struggling to breathe, take the same measurements over the next 30 minutes.
If your cat is still breathing too fast or is experiencing signs that they’re struggling to breathe, such as having a blue tongue or gums or breathing with their mouth open, phone your veterinarian as this is an emergency.
Cats can sometimes breathe too quickly if they are stressed or have recently been exercising, but if your cat is breathing too fast at rest, they’re having trouble breathing full stop.
Final thoughts
Cats often purr when they breathe in and out. Air is breathed in and taken through the larynx, vibrating against the vocal cords and making a deep purring sound. Cats normally purr when they’re contented or excited, and it’s usually a low and slow sound. However, if your cat is breathing quickly and the purring is rapid, this may mean that your cat is in pain and should have veterinary attention.
Featured Image Credit: Dmitry Kalinovsky, Shutterstock
