Understanding a Cat’s Heart Rate: A Guide for Pet Parents

Did you know that a high or slow heart rate in your cat can be the first sign of illness, often before other symptoms appear? Therefore, it is important to check your cat’s resting heart rate regularly. Find out what a normal cat’s heart rate is and how to spot abnormalities in this guide, so you can keep your furry friend healthy, for a long time!

Key Takeaways

• A resting cat’s heart rate is 160-200 beats per minute. Regular monitoring helps track their health.
• Age, occupation, emotional state, and health conditions can all affect heart rate.
• No stethoscope necessary – smart pet technology like the Tractive Cat Tracker monitors your cat’s heart rate constantly, so you don’t have to. It even sends you health alerts if something goes wrong.
• Any irregular heartbeat, especially when combined with other symptoms, should prompt a visit to the vet for immediate diagnosis and treatment.

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A cat’s heart rate: What it is and why it matters

A cat’s heart rate is the number of times its heart beats per minute (bpm). It is one of their important symbols and an important indicator of health and fitness.

It is normal for a cat’s heart rate to fluctuate throughout the day. When they are playing or anxious their heart rate will naturally be higher than when they are calm and relaxed. So you might think you don’t need to pay attention to your cat’s heart rate… but think again.

Cat resting heart rate: important information about your pet’s health

Although the heart rate can vary throughout the day, your cat’s relaxation of the heart that is really important. If your cat’s resting heart rate falls within the normal range, it is a good sign of its health. On the other hand, if their resting heart rate is too high or too low, it can indicate a serious health problem such as heart disease.

By regularly monitoring your cat’s resting heart rate, you can find out if it is normal or not and stay aware of any potential health problems. Remember, early detection and early treatment are critical when it comes to ensuring the best possible health outcomes for your furry friend.

What is the normal heart rate for a cat?

A cat’s heart beats faster than a human’s or a dog’s. Which makes sense, because smaller animals usually have faster heart rates than larger ones¹. A normal heart rate for an adult cat is 140 to 220 beats per minute². Remember, what is “normal” for your cat will differ from other cats – depending on several factors, such as age.

Factors that affect a cat’s heart rate

There are several factors that play a role in your cat’s heart rate:

1. Age: Young cats usually have a faster heart rate, while older cats have a slower one.
2. Work Level: Any burst of energy, like playing or chasing a toy, will make their heart rate go up.
3. Emotional Status: Events such as pet visits, new pets, or loud noises can increase their heart rate due to stress or excitement.
4. Health Conditions: Problems like heart disease, anemia, and pain can affect the heartbeat. Regular animal testing is important.

How to check a cat’s heart rate

A cat’s heart rate is usually determined with a stethoscope in the veterinarian’s office. If you don’t have a portable one, you can check out theirs heart rate and which will give you their heart bpm:

1) How to manually check your cat’s heart rate

1. Choose a quiet time: The best place to feel the heartbeat is above the femoral artery on the inner side of the thigh. You can put your hand lightly on their inner thigh, feel the heartbeat under your fingers.
2. Count the pulses: Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by four to get beats per minute. It’s easier when your cat is calm or resting.

2) Use a smart GPS and cat health tracker

If you want to monitor your cat’s heart rate regularly, without much effort (and it’s a good idea), invest smart pet tracker for cats by monitoring heart rate. Attach it to your cat’s safety collar and throughout the day, it will monitor your cat’s vital signs, giving you a daily estimate of bpm and respirations per minute (rpm) as well as its activity, sleep, and location. With Tractive, you’ll be notified if your cat’s vitals are consistently low or high. Veterinarians are recommended to keep an eye on your cat’s health and safety – and give you peace of mind.

3) Visit your vet

Another way to monitor your cat’s heart rate is to visit your vet and ask them to check your cat’s heart rate with a stethoscope. This is usually done as part of a veterinary examination.

Tachycardia or rapid heart rate in cats is defined as a heart rate greater than 240 bpm³. A fast heart rate is normal during playtime or when your cat is frightened. However, if your cat’s heart is racing at rest or for no apparent reason, it may indicate something more serious.

Causes of fast heartbeat in cats

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Pain
• Trauma
• Blood loss
• To panic
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Asthma
• Pneumonia

Your cat may not show any outward signs of a fast heart rate, which is why regular monitoring is important. Be aware of associated symptoms such as panting, lethargy, weakness, rapid breathing or vocalization so you can take your cat to the vet as soon as necessary.⁴.

Slow heart rate in cats

A slow heart rate in cats, also known as feline bradycardia, is a heart rate below 120 bpm.⁵. It can be a sign of a more serious problem, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms.

Causes of slow heart rate in cats

• Rest or sleep
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Hypothermia
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disease
• Neurological problems
• Certain drugs and medications

Also, it may not be obvious that your cat is suffering from a slow heartbeat. They may not show any symptoms of illness. But watch for weakness, fainting, and lethargy in your cat, which is associated with bradycardia.

Get health alerts for your cat

Our cats can’t always tell us when something is wrong. But if their tracker detects unusual changes in their system, you will receive an alert, which helps you catch potential problems early.

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When to see a vet

Keeping an eye on your cat’s heartbeat is important, and sometimes a trip to the vet is the best next step. If you notice that their heart rate is too high or too low, or if there are other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, changes in appetite, or fatigue, it’s time to get tested. Early detection can make a big difference in solving potential health problems. Your vet is there to help make sure your furry friend is as healthy and happy as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have something to offer!

The conclusion

Tracking your cat’s heart rate is an important part of ensuring its overall health and happiness. By understanding what is normal and paying attention to changes, you can find potential health problems early and provide the best care possible. Whether you use the manual method or smart technology, staying informed is the best way to maintain your cat’s well-being. Remember, regular monitoring combined with a consultation with your veterinarian ensures that you and your canine companion enjoy a long, healthy life together.

The health and well-being of your furry friend means as much to us as it does to you. So we have made it a priority to share only medical related content on our blog. This post has been vetted, double-checked, and clinically verified is a Georgia-based veterinarian, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.