Symptom triage · dogs, cats and other pets
Breathing difficulties
Difficulty breathing, choking, or blue/grey gums
Quick answer
PETHEALTH+ rates breathing difficulties as an emergency — phone your vet or an out-of-hours clinic now, before travelling. See the linked UK guides for likely causes and what to do, or use the free symptom checker for instant triage. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Guides for breathing difficulties
Cats
Cat Breathing Fast
**Open-mouth breathing in cats is always abnormal** — treat as an emergency.
Birds
Bird Respiratory Infections in the UK
Bird respiratory disease shows as **tail bobbing**, sneezing, discharge, wheezing or open-mouth breathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is breathing difficulties an emergency in pets?
- Yes — treat it as an emergency. Phone your vet or your nearest out-of-hours clinic before travelling so they can prepare, and do not wait to see if things improve.
- Which pets does breathing difficulties affect?
- This triage topic applies to dogs, cats and other pets. If your pet shows these signs, use the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker for instant triage or phone your vet.
- What should I do right now?
- PETHEALTH+ rates this as an emergency — phone your vet or an out-of-hours clinic now, before travelling. The guides linked on this page explain likely causes and what your vet may suggest. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Not sure how urgent it is?
Answer two questions and the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker will tell you whether to phone a vet now, today, or monitor at home.