What about fast breathing in kittens? Kittens breathe rapidly for the same reasons adult cats do. If your kitten's respiratory rate is higher than 30 breaths per minute, irregular, or shallow, seek veterinary care, just as you would for your cat.

Why is my kitten breathing so fast?

Rapid breathing in cats, also known as tachypnea, may be a sign of low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia), low red blood cell level (anaemia), or asthma. A cat breathing fast may also be a result of fluid in the lungs due to heart failure or fluid in the chest surrounding the lungs.

Is it normal for kittens to breathe fast while sleeping?

Breathing rate is an indicator of overall health - if your cat is suddenly breathing fast while sleeping (consistently more than 30 breaths per minute), this could be an early clinical sign of heart-failure. Lower rates may be no cause for concern providing your pet is otherwise behaving normally.