Cat first aid, step by step
Cats hide illness well, so knowing their normal is half of cat first aid. A resting adult cat runs 100.5 to 102.5 F, with a heart rate of 120 to 140 and 16 to 40 breaths a minute.
Written by Justin Alcalde, AHA and American Red Cross instructor, CPR West Covina · Reviewed
Pick the emergency
What normal looks like in a cat
Resting numbers for a healthy adult cat. A cat at the vet runs faster than a cat asleep on the couch, so take your baseline at home.
| Check | Normal at rest | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 100.5 to 102.5 F | Rectal thermometer, lubricated, about half an inch in. Two people make it easier |
| Heart rate | 120 to 140 beats a minute | Hand around the chest just behind the front legs. Count 15 seconds, times 4 |
| Breathing | 16 to 40 breaths a minute | Count while your cat sleeps. One rise and fall is one breath |
| Gums | Pink and moist | Lift the lip at the side. Press, let go, and pink should return within 2 seconds |
How to check a cat that does not want to be checked
Most cats tolerate a count if it happens where they already rest, on their terms, for less than a minute. Once the checks feel easy, our cat and dog first aid course adds CPR, choking and bleeding, all online.
Count breaths while asleep
A sleeping cat is the most accurate breathing count you will get.
Watch the belly, not the nose
The flank rises and falls. Count 30 seconds, times 2.
Feel the heartbeat gently
Cup the chest behind the front legs while they are relaxed.
Stop if they struggle
A stressed cat gives stressed numbers. Try again later.
Write the numbers down
A baseline from home is what your vet cannot measure.
What gum color can mean in a cat
Cat gums are small and cats object, so a quick look at the side of the mouth is enough. Anything other than pink deserves a call.
| Gum color | What it can be a sign of | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pink, moist | Normal | Nothing |
| Pale or white | Blood loss, shock or anemia | Go to the vet now |
| Blue or grey | Not enough oxygen | Go to the vet now. If not breathing, start CPR |
| Bright red | Overheating or some poisonings | Cool down if hot, call the vet on the way |
| Yellow | Liver trouble | Call the vet today |
Watch the steps
Learn it properly
American Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid, online at your own pace. $50, certificate when you finish.
Start the course
Keep the steps on your phone
PetAid for iPhone, for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish and reptiles. Free on the App Store.
Get PetAidQuestions people ask
Is it normal for a cat to breathe with its mouth open?
Not for more than a few seconds after hard play. Open-mouth breathing at rest can be a sign of a breathing or heart problem. Call the vet.
Why is my cat's heart rate so much faster than my dog's?
Smaller animals run faster hearts. A resting cat at 120 to 140 beats a minute is normal, where the same number in a big dog would not be.
How often should I take my cat's baseline?
Once a month while they sleep takes under a minute. Keep the numbers in your phone next to your vet's number.
This is first aid, not veterinary care. Get to a vet or an emergency animal hospital as soon as the steps are done.
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