The cat's anatomy goes far beyond what we see on the outside. Inside the cat, there are several organs working together and forming systems that allow the whole body to function. One of these systems is the respiratory system, responsible for the cat's breathing. Even though it is one of the most important processes that take place in the body, many guardians have doubts about breathing. How does the respiratory system work?Which organs are part of the respiratory system? Does a cat get the flu? And what can a cat with difficulty breathing mean? To help you understand better, the Paws of the House explains everything about cat breathing - check it out!

The function of the cat's breathing is to exchange gases

The main purpose of a cat's breathing is to exchange gases. Just as it happens in humans and dogs, it is through breathing that oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is exhaled. Another function of a cat's breathing is to humidify and filter the air, as well as to help the feline sense of smell function. Therefore, just like the skeletal, nervous, urinary and many other systems, therespiratory system is key to keeping the kitten alive.

Anatomy of the cat: organs involved in feline breathing range from the nose to the lungs

There are many organs that are part of the cat's respiratory system. The animal's anatomy works in such a way that all these organs are united by a respiratory tract through which air passes. The respiratory tract is divided into upper and lower. In the anatomy of a cat, organs of the upper tract are: nose (nostrils and nasal passages), pharynx, larynx and upper part of the trachea. The partThe lower trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, pulmonary alveoli and lungs are part of the lower respiratory tract as they are already in the thoracic cavity.

Understand how a cat's breathing works

The cat's breathing begins in the nose, with the inhalation of the oxygen-filled air present in the environment. The air passes through the nostrils and nasal cavities, where it is filtered. Then, the air is conducted through the pharynx, a tube that takes the air to the larynx. It is worth mentioning that the pharynx has two passages: one that takes the air to the larynx and another that takes the food to the cat's digestive system.When food accidentally falls into the larynx, the cat usually chokes. As soon as the air passes through the larynx, it passes through the vocal cords, which vibrate and produce the famous cat meow. The air passes from the larynx into the trachea and then into the two bronchi, which bifurcate in each of the cat's lungs.

It is in this part of the anatomy that the cat actually performs gas exchange. The bronchi that enter the lung bifurcate into a number of small bronchioles that result in the pulmonary alveoli. The alveoli receive the blood that comes from the body and is rich in carbon dioxide, which will be eliminated by exhalation. At the same time, the alveoli receive the oxygen-containing air from the bronchioles and release this gas into the lung.With oxygen, cells are able to carry out cellular respiration and keep the body alive. This process of gas exchange is also known as haematosis.

Know the average respiratory rate of a cat

In the dog's breathing there is an average respiratory rate. The same happens with the cat. The animal's anatomy is all designed so that breathing follows the same pattern whenever the pet is healthy. The respiratory rate considered normal is 20 to 40 breaths per minute. However, it is important to note that each animal has its own particularity, so the normal rate of a petWhen a health problem compromises the physiology and anatomy, the cat undergoes more intense changes in this frequency. Thus, we have a cat with difficulty breathing, either by a faster or slower breathing.

Cat with labored breathing may indicate health problems

A cat with wheezing is not able to inhale the amount of air that is considered optimal. This makes it more difficult for the air to reach the lungs. There are different causes for this condition. A cat with wheezing may be very anxious or stressed, for example. In addition, after more intense physical exercise, the animal may also become more wheezy. The same thingOn the other hand, this problem can also be caused by certain diseases. Among the most common cat respiratory diseases, we can mention feline flu, feline pneumonia, anemia, feline asthma, intoxication and heart failure.

Know the signs of a cat with difficulty breathing

Cats' anatomy tells you a lot about what's going on with their health. To recognise a cat with wheezing, it's important to be aware of the symptoms. A cat breathing with its mouth open is the most common, but depending on the cause, other signs may appear. A cat with anaemia may have pale mucous membranes, while pneumonia leaves the cat coughing with wheezing and nasal secretions. In asthma, the coughingA cat with wheezing due to heart problems will, in addition to coughing, be very tired, have an increased abdominal volume, weight loss and cyanosis (bluish mucous membranes and tongue). In different situations of a cat with difficulty breathing we can also notice a runny nose, vomiting, lethargy and fever. Whenever you see your cat breathing with its mouth open and with anyother symptoms, take him to the vet.

Is abdominal breathing a sign of respiratory problems?

One way to notice that your kitten's breathing rhythm is out of whack is to observe its respiratory movements. When you have a cat that has difficulty breathing, you can observe its belly rising and falling rapidly as it breathes. We call this situation an abdominal breathing cat. This is because the animal is trying to get air and circulate it.through their respiratory system in a normal way, which is not happening for some reason. If you notice a cat with abdominal breathing or any abnormal breathing, watch for other symptoms and seek veterinary care.

Feline flu is a fairly common respiratory disease in cats

One of the most common problems that can affect a cat's breathing is the flu. Yes, cats get the flu. Feline flu is very similar to the flu we get - although it is not the same disease. The flu in cats is officially called feline rhinotracheitis. It is a respiratory infection that affects the upper respiratory tract. Feline flu is contracted when the cat comes into contact with the upper respiratory tract.direct contact with the virus, either by saliva and secretions from other contaminated cats or by contaminated objects.

In feline flu, the most common symptoms are: coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite and apathy. Very similar to the flu in humans, right? But there is one detail: feline flu is a more serious problem than human flu. The reason is that the feline rhinotracheitis virus stays in the animal's body forever. Taking basic health care, it stays in the body forever.However, it can return at any time. In feline flu, symptoms are also usually heavier in kittens than they are for us. It is therefore very important to take care to prevent the problem, which can be done by taking the cat vaccines V3 or V4 from 45 days of life.

Does feline flu pass to humans?

Feline flu is contagious, which means it is a disease that is transmitted to other cats. But what about us: does feline flu pass to humans? No! Rhinotracheitis only affects cats, so neither people nor other animals (such as dogs) can contract the disease. This is one of the reasons why we cannot say that flu in cats is the same as in humans, as they are different diseases. Therefore, evenknowing that feline flu is contagious between cats, you can rest assured that a cat with flu cannot pass the disease on to you.

How to care for a cat with flu?

Cat flu is a very common disease among cats, so it is good to be prepared at all times. When you notice your cat having difficulty breathing and other symptoms of cat flu, seek veterinary advice to make sure of the diagnosis and start caring for the animal. As we explained, the rhinotracheitis virus stays in the body for life, so there is no flu remedyThus, each case of feline flu has a different treatment according to what the pet manifests.

Antihistamines, eye drops and antivirals are usually the most indicated medications, in addition to nebulization and antibiotics in case of infections. Treating the cat with the flu quickly is essential because the disease can worsen and turn into something more serious, such as pneumonia. Therefore, do not joke with the feline flu. Symptoms may seem small at first, but if left untreated, they have a chance of becoming severe.become something quite dangerous and even fatal.

Tips to avoid problems with your cat's breathing

The respiratory system is an extremely important part of the cat's body and ensures that it functions properly. Therefore, care must be taken to prevent it from suffering from health problems. Whether it is a cat flu or severe pneumonia, any damage to the respiratory system can compromise the entire body. To prevent the animal from suffering from these problems, the first step is to stimulateA hydrated cat is at less risk of health problems, whether in the respiratory system or others, such as the urinary system.

Following a few tips on how to get your cat to drink water, such as spreading drinking fountains around the house and investing in a water fountain, makes all the difference. In addition to making the animal healthier, hydration also makes a cat with the flu heal faster. Food should also always be well observed. Offer quality food and always keep an eye on whether the animal is feeding itself.Throughout the cat's anatomy, organs need to be nourished to function well, and it is through food that these fundamental nutrients are obtained.

Attention to winter: in the colder months, the respiratory system is more fragile

Just as with us, cats feel cold and tend to suffer more from respiratory problems during the colder months. Therefore, it is important to take care in the winter to avoid feline flu, pneumonia and any other disease that affects the respiratory tract. Always keep the animal well warm by placing extra blankets and pillows in the bed. Another tip is to let the cat sleep in the cat bed.bed with you (there is no problem with that). Finally, remember that the fine hair of kittens makes them more vulnerable in low temperatures. So invest in clothes for cats in winter. In addition to gaining a charm, the pet will be more protected.