IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
Ensure your safety and the cat’s safety — remove hazards and move to a flat surface.
Call for help and dial your veterinarian or emergency clinic now. If you are alone, start CPR immediately; if possible, have someone call 911/Vet while you begin.
If the cat is not breathing and unresponsive, begin CPR right away (do not delay to check pulses for more than a few seconds).
If possible, have someone drive you and the cat to the nearest emergency veterinary facility. Bring any packaging, vomit, or information about toxins.Emergency poison numbers: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661
Is This an Emergency? — Quick assessment
Check responsiveness: call the cat’s name and gently tap. No response = unresponsive.
Open the airway: gently extend the head and neck. Look for breathing (watch the chest) and listen/feel at the nose/mouth for up to 10 seconds.
If the cat is not breathing or breathing very strangely (gasping), this is an emergency — start CPR immediately.If the cat is unconscious but breathing normally, place in recovery position (lateral recumbency), keep airway open, and get to a vet.
Overview: What CPR can and cannot do
- CPR is a life-saving emergency procedure that can provide oxygenated blood to the brain and heart until advanced care is available.
- CPR can’t fix the underlying cause (poisoning, trauma, heart disease). Every cat that receives CPR needs immediate veterinary follow-up — do not assume CPR is a full treatment.
Sources: RECOVER Initiative (Veterinary CPR guidelines), Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS), AVMA emergency resources.
Step-by-step CPR for a Cat
Note: The RECOVER guidelines are the authoritative source for veterinary CPR. These steps assume no specialized equipment. If you are trained and have oxygen, intubation, or IV access, follow advanced instructions from your clinic.
Preparation
Lay the cat on a firm, flat surface in lateral recumbency (on its side) with the limbs extended. If possible, place the cat on its right side so the heart is slightly more accessible — but any stable side is fine.
Quickly clear the airway: remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth. If you can see a foreign object, try to remove it carefully with your fingers or tweezers, but do not push it farther down.
Open the airway by extending the head and neck to a neutral position (don’t overextend).1. Start chest compressions immediately (if the cat is not breathing and unresponsive)
Compression location:
- Small cats or kittens: use the two-thumb encircling technique. Place your hands around the chest with thumbs over the sternum (over the heart, just behind the elbow when the cat is on its side). Compress with both thumbs.
- Larger cats: place the cat in lateral recumbency and use the heel of one hand (or two fingers) over the widest part of the chest where the heart is located (just behind the elbow). For narrow-chested cats the two-thumb encircling method often gives the best control.
Compression depth: compress to about one-third to one-half of the chest width (about 1/3 is a good target for most cats). Avoid compressing to the point of crushing — controlled, firm compressions are essential.
Compression rate: aim for 100–120 compressions per minute (about the tempo of the song “Stayin’ Alive” — but quietly count). Keep compressions smooth and consistent.
Compression technique: allow the chest to fully recoil (return to normal between compressions). Minimize interruptions.2. Rescue breaths (ventilation)
If you are the only rescuer: follow a 30:2 ratio — 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. If a second trained rescuer is present, a 15:2 ratio may be used and rescuers should swap roles every 2 minutes to avoid fatigue.
How to give breaths:
- Close the cat’s mouth and form a seal over the nose and mouth (for small cats cover the nose and mouth gently). Deliver a breath over 1–2 seconds and watch for visible chest rise.
- Give two breaths after each compression cycle (30 or 15 compressions as above). Each breath should be firm but not forceful — forceful breaths can cause air to enter the stomach (gastric inflation).
- If the cat is intubated or you have a mask with oxygen, give asynchronous ventilations at about 10 breaths per minute (1 breath every 6 seconds) while continuous chest compressions continue.
Goal: see the chest rise with each breath. If you cannot produce chest rise, reposition the head and try again; if still unsuccessful, continue compressions and attempt breaths at intervals.3. Minimize interruptions
- Stop compressions only to check for breathing or pulse briefly, to clear the airway, or to deliver rescue breaths. Aim for uninterrupted compressions as much as possible.
- Swap rescuers every 2 minutes if possible to maintain compression quality.
4. Reassess and transfer
- If you detect a pulse, breathing, or the cat begins moving, stop chest compressions and place the cat in recovery position while you arrange immediate transport to a veterinary clinic.
- Continue rescue oxygen and keep the cat warm and quiet during transport.
How CPR on a Cat Differs from Dogs
- Size and force: cats are smaller and more fragile — compressions must be shallower and gentler than in medium/large dogs. Use two-thumb encircling or two-finger technique rather than pressing with a full palm unless the cat is large.
- Compression placement: because of smaller thorax size the ideal hand position is more centered over the sternum for cats. In many dogs you compress over the widest part of the chest; in cats the encircling technique often provides better control.
- Ventilation: cats may require more careful, gentler breaths. Their thorax is more compliant; avoid over-inflation.
- Prognosis: small-animal CPR outcomes vary; cats with reversible causes (obstruction, trauma, intoxication treated early) can recover, but many underlying diseases require immediate advanced care.
What NOT to Do
Don’t delay chest compressions to check pulses or call unless absolutely necessary — begin CPR first.
Don’t hyperventilate — too many or too-forceful breaths cause gastric inflation and reduced blood return to the heart.
Don’t compress over the abdomen or too far back on the ribcage — this can cause organ damage.
Don’t administer medications or fluids at home unless directed by a veterinarian or poison-control expert.
Don’t assume CPR replaces veterinary care — it stabilizes only until a clinic can provide advanced care.
When to Rush to the Vet — Clear Criteria
Go immediately (call ahead) if any of the following apply:
The cat is unresponsive and not breathing — CPR in progress en route is critical.
The cat has been poisoned or you suspect toxin exposure — call ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and go to a vet immediately.
Severe trauma (hit by car, fall) with unresponsiveness, bleeding, or difficulty breathing.
Seizures that do not stop, collapse, or sudden severe difficulty breathing.
If CPR has been required — all cats that receive CPR must be evaluated and treated at a veterinary facility.Always call ahead so the clinic can prepare for resuscitation or triage on arrival.
When to Stop CPR
Continue CPR until one of the following occurs:
Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC): the cat starts breathing and has a heartbeat.
A veterinarian or trained professional takes over.
You are physically unable to continue (exhaustion) and no one else can assume compressions.
The scene becomes unsafe.If there is no ROSC after prolonged attempts (commonly discussed timeframes are 15–20 minutes without advanced interventions), prognosis is poor — but decisions about stopping should be made by a veterinarian when possible. Always transfer to a veterinary clinic during or immediately after attempts.
Prevention — Reduce the Risk of Events Requiring CPR
Keep cats indoors or supervised outdoors to reduce trauma and toxin exposure.
Cat-proof the home: secure chemicals, medicines, and small objects that can be swallowed.
Keep toxic plants, foods (onions, garlic, xylitol), and human medications out of reach.
Maintain regular veterinary care: vaccinations, parasite control, and chronic disease management reduce emergency risk.
Learn basic pet first aid and consider a pet CPR class — practice can make a life-saving difference.
Key Takeaways
- If a cat is unresponsive and not breathing, start CPR immediately; do not delay to perform lengthy checks.
- For most cats, use two-thumb encircling or two-finger compressions at 100–120/min, compressing about one-third of chest width.
- Rescue breaths should produce visible chest rise; if intubated, give ~10 breaths/min while compressions continue.
- Minimize interruptions, avoid hyperventilating, and never use CPR as a substitute for veterinary care — transport the cat to a clinic as soon as possible.
Sources: RECOVER Initiative (Veterinary CPR), Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS), AVMA emergency resources, standard veterinary emergency textbooks.
References & Further Reading
- RECOVER Veterinary CPR Guidelines — RECOVER Initiative (Veterinary CPR)
- Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society (VECCS)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — emergency resources
(See citation link below for primary guideline resource.)
Important Contacts
- ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Remember: CPR is an emergency stabilizing measure. All cats that receive CPR need immediate veterinary evaluation and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a human AED on a cat?
Human AEDs are designed for people and may not be reliable for cats. If an AED is the only option and pads can be placed without compressing the chest incorrectly, it may be used in consultation with veterinary guidance, but it is not routinely recommended. Priority should be on high-quality compressions and rapid transport to a veterinary facility.
How long should I perform CPR before giving up?
Continue until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), a veterinarian takes over, you are exhausted, or the scene is unsafe. If no ROSC occurs after prolonged efforts (often discussed as 15–20 minutes without advanced care), prognosis is poor; finalize decisions with veterinary input.
What if my cat is choking but still conscious?
If the cat is conscious and able to breathe or cough, keep them calm and get to a vet immediately. If the cat is conscious but cannot breathe and collapses, open the mouth and remove an obvious object if you can see and safely grasp it; if not, begin CPR and get to a vet.