• Puppies normal rate 15-40 breaths/minute
• Dogs normal rate 10-30 breaths/minute
• Toy breeds (small dogs) normal rate 15-40 breaths/minute
• Dogs that are panting - up to 200 pants/minute

• Cats normal rate: 20-30 breaths/minute
• Cats panting: up to 300 pants/minute

Cats do not usually pant unless they are in a stressful situation (going to the vets), frightened, in hot weather. They should not pant for more than a few minutes at a time. If panting persists and the animal cannot return to normal breathing treat as an emergency.

• If while breathing the abdomen is expanding instead of the chest, on inhalation, your pet is not breathing normally. You should seek veterinary care.
• Slow or fast respiratory rate, loud gasping sounds, shallow breathing, or breathing with mouth open: this is to be treated as an emergency. Seek veterinary care.