First Aid for a Cat That Isn't Breathing

Know what to do if your cat isn’t breathing.

There is no time when first aid is more necessary to render than when your cat is not breathing. You won't have much time to act and make a difference, so being prepared ahead of time and knowing what to do is crucial.

First, Check for Breathing

To be sure whether or not your cat is breathing, do three things:

Use care when evaluating your cat's condition. If she is not unconscious, fear or pain could cause her to bite or scratch you.

Next, Clear Your Cat's Airway

Your cat's airway will need to be unobstructed for you to deliver air efficiently to help your cat. You can ensure that this is the case by:

Finally, Breathe for Your Cat

Once you have verified that your cat isn't breathing and cleared the airway, begin administering rescue breathing:

If your cat also has no heartbeat, you will need to perform chest compressions, as well. Learn more about that here: "First Aid for a Cat with No Heartbeat."

You can visit this article, "First Aid for Cats: An Overview," to learn more basic life-saving techniques.

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