{"id":7796,"date":"2026-03-11T21:46:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/?p=7796"},"modified":"2026-05-22T21:46:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T21:46:55","slug":"heart-disease-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart Disease in Cats: Signs &#038; What to Watch (Vet Verified)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cats are experts at hiding how they feel. It&#8217;s a deeply ingrained survival instinct \u2014 and one that makes heart disease particularly difficult to catch early. By the time most owners notice any symptoms, the disease has often been progressing quietly for months. <br>Understanding what heart disease in cats looks like, what to watch for, and why early detection matters so much is one of the most important things you can do for your cat&#8217;s long-term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Heart Disease In Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Heart disease in cats<\/strong> is a common but often silent condition, affecting the heart&#8217;s ability to pump blood effectively. It most frequently presents as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens over time. Signs of heart disease in cats can be subtle or absent until the disease is advanced, making regular monitoring and veterinary check-ups essential for early detection.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent form, affecting cats of all breeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many cats show no symptoms early on, making subtle behavioral changes especially significant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key warning signs include changes in breathing rate, reduced activity, and altered appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular veterinary check-ups and continuous at-home monitoring are an effective combination for early detection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Heart Disease in Cats<\/strong>, Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" src=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_explained.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_explained.jpg 640w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_explained-300x168.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heart disease in cats refers to a range of conditions that affect the structure or function of the heart, impairing its ability to circulate blood effectively throughout the body. It can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Congenital heart disease involves structural abnormalities that arise during fetal development and may affect heart valves, interior walls, or the major blood vessels. Acquired heart disease, which is far more common, develops over a cat&#8217;s lifetime and is most frequently diagnosed in middle-aged to older cats \u2014 though it can occur at any age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are the Most Common Types of Heart Disease in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several types of heart disease affect cats, each involving different changes to the heart&#8217;s structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)<\/strong> is by far the most common, accounting for the vast majority of feline heart disease cases. The muscular walls of the left ventricle thicken progressively, reducing the heart&#8217;s ability to fill with blood and pump efficiently. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/vcahospitals.com\/know-your-pet\/heart-disease-cardiomyopathy-in-cats\">VCA Hospitals<\/a>, HCM has a strong genetic component and is more prevalent in certain breeds, including Maine Coons, Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, Sphynx, Bengals, and Persians \u2014 though no breed is immune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM)<\/strong> causes the heart muscle to become stiff and inelastic, restricting normal blood flow even if the walls themselves haven&#8217;t thickened significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)<\/strong> is now relatively rare in cats, largely due to widespread taurine supplementation in commercial cat foods. It involves enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, leading to poor pumping function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Unclassified cardiomyopathies<\/strong> represent cases that don&#8217;t fit neatly into the above categories and may share features of multiple types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heart disease can also develop secondarily to other conditions \u2014 most notably hyperthyroidism and hypertension \u2014 which is why managing these underlying diseases promptly is important for cardiac health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover testimonial-div-bg\" style=\"min-height:300px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(237,241,255) 1%,rgba(177,193,250,0.75) 100%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"testimonial-div-text has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e2be666b7f86276af4019b2e611f11b9 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#364053;font-size:16px\"><em>\u201c<em>Every time Umi is hospitalized, it\u2019s for like four days and it costs over $5,000\u2026 Maven has helped me not only <strong>save money<\/strong> but also <strong>save his life<\/strong><\/em>\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-not-stacked-on-mobile testimonial-cols is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center prod-img-col is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:200px\"><div class=\"wp-block-image testimonial-img is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"384\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jessica-Ortiz-Umi.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6823\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:160px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jessica-Ortiz-Umi.jpg 384w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jessica-Ortiz-Umi-288x300.jpg 288w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center prod-text-col is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a052c716 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right product-div-text has-luminous-vivid-amber-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-2442b20e4f09453e0ced06357feafe3f wp-block-paragraph\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"testimonial-div-text has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ad612065f013bb10f45b73b0c14890b1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#364053;font-size:16px\">Jessica Ortiz<br><strong>Umi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons product-div-btn is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/cat-health-tracker\/?int_content=testimonial_cat\" style=\"background-color:#f4795d\"><strong>Track your cat&#8217;s health!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are the Signs of Heart Disease in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many cats \u2014 particularly in the early stages \u2014 show no signs at all. When symptoms do appear, they are often gradual and easy to attribute to aging or stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Signs to watch for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reduced activity levels<\/strong> \u2014 less interest in play, reluctance to jump, or spending more time resting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased withdrawal or hiding<\/strong> \u2014 behavioral changes that reflect fatigue or discomfort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reduced appetite or unexplained weight loss<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased resting respiratory rate<\/strong> \u2014 more than 30 breaths per minute during sleep or calm rest is a significant warning sign<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Labored or open-mouth breathing<\/strong> \u2014 any open-mouth breathing in a cat at rest is abnormal and requires urgent attention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weakness or sudden hind limb paralysis<\/strong> \u2014 a potential sign of aortic thromboembolism (ATE), a life-threatening complication requiring immediate emergency care<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distended abdomen<\/strong> \u2014 may indicate fluid accumulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s worth noting that coughing, which is a common sign of heart disease in dogs, is not typical in cats with cardiac disease. If your cat is coughing frequently, this is more likely to indicate a respiratory condition, such as asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Is Heart Disease Hard to Detect in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_detect.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_detect.jpg 640w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats_detect-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several factors make feline heart disease uniquely difficult to catch early:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Early disease is often clinically silent.<\/strong> Many cats in the early stages of HCM have no detectable symptoms. A significant proportion have no heart murmur that can be detected by a stethoscope \u2014 meaning a routine physical exam may not raise any flags.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stress affects diagnostic accuracy.<\/strong> Cats are notoriously reactive to the clinical environment. An elevated heart rate or abnormal breathing pattern at the vet may reflect stress rather than disease, and conversely, a calm cat at the clinic may not show the changes that appear at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The first visible sign can be a crisis.<\/strong> For some cats, the first indication of heart disease is a sudden acute event \u2014 an episode of respiratory distress, hind limb paralysis from a blood clot, or, in the most tragic cases, sudden death. This is why waiting for symptoms is not a reliable strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>&#8220;Heart disease in cats is often silent in its early stages. Subtle changes like increased resting respiratory rate or reduced activity can be the first indicators \u2014 which is why consistent monitoring is so important.&#8221;<\/em> \u2014 <strong>Sara Leit\u00e3o, DVM, Veterinarian at Maven Pet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When Should You Be Concerned?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some signs require prompt veterinary attention, while others are worth monitoring closely and discussing at your next appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seek <strong>immediate veterinary care<\/strong> if your cat shows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open-mouth breathing or visible respiratory distress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sudden weakness, pain, or paralysis in the hind legs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collapse or loss of consciousness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gums that appear pale, blue, or grey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discuss with your vet <strong>at your next visit<\/strong> if you notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A sustained increase in resting respiratory rate (consistently above 30 breaths per minute during sleep)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced activity or willingness to jump and play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changes in appetite or unexplained weight loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased hiding or withdrawal compared to your cat&#8217;s normal behavior<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even subtle, gradual changes are worth raising. In a condition where early detection genuinely changes outcomes, erring on the side of caution is always the right call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Maven Helps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because heart disease in cats so often progresses without obvious symptoms, the most valuable detection strategy is continuous monitoring of measurable indicators \u2014 tracked in the environment where your cat is most relaxed and most themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover product-div-bg prod-cat\" style=\"min-height:400px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-6832 size-full\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/prod-cat.jpg\" style=\"object-position:25% 50%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"25% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/prod-cat.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/prod-cat-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/prod-cat-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#5d5d59\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns prod-cols is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column prod-img-col is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full product-div-img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"436\" height=\"872\" src=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cat-scr.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cat-scr.png 436w, https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cat-scr-150x300.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column prod-text-col is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"product-div-text has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-d79ad9486366b2f8d056f1784a342b56 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity &amp; rest, itch behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons product-div-btn is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/cat-health-tracker\/?int_content=product_cat\" style=\"background-color:#f4795d\"><strong>Track your cat&#8217;s health<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/\"><strong>Maven Pet Health Monitor<\/strong><\/a> is designed to do exactly that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/cat-respiratory-rate-tracker\/\"><strong>Tracks resting respiratory rate<\/strong><\/a><strong> continuously<\/strong>, one of the earliest and most clinically meaningful indicators of developing cardiac issues in cats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/cat-heart-rate-tracker\/\"><strong>Monitors heart rate trends<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/cat-activity-tracker\/\"><strong>Measures activity and rest patterns<\/strong><\/a>, detecting reductions in movement or increases in rest that may reflect fatigue or discomfort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Builds a personalized baseline<\/strong> for each cat, so deviations are flagged against what is normal for them \u2014 not a population average<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sends alerts when deviations occur<\/strong>, such as a rising resting respiratory rate or a notable decline in daily activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This continuous picture gives owners and vets something a clinic appointment alone cannot: a reliable window into how a cat is doing day to day, at home, at rest \u2014 precisely when early signs of heart disease are most likely to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ (Vet-Reviewed)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779486105198\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is heart disease in cats?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Heart disease in cats refers to conditions that affect the heart&#8217;s structure or function, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. It can be present from birth or develop over a cat&#8217;s lifetime. The most common form is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens progressively.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779486111120\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What are the signs of heart disease in cats?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Common signs include an increased resting respiratory rate, labored or open-mouth breathing, reduced activity, withdrawal or hiding, appetite changes, and unexplained weight loss. In more advanced cases, sudden hind limb weakness or paralysis may occur. Many cats show no visible signs in the early stages of the disease.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779486115995\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is heart disease common in cats?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. HCM alone is considered one of the most frequently diagnosed cardiac conditions in cats, and it affects cats of all breeds and ages. Certain breeds \u2014 including Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Sphynx \u2014 carry a higher genetic risk, but any cat can develop heart disease.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1779486131753\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>When should I worry about my cat&#8217;s breathing or activity?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A resting respiratory rate consistently above 30 breaths per minute during sleep is a meaningful signal worth discussing with your vet. Open-mouth breathing at rest is always abnormal in cats and requires prompt attention. Any sustained change in your cat&#8217;s normal activity level or behavior \u2014 even gradual \u2014 is worth monitoring and mentioning to your veterinarian.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heart disease in cats is common, often silent, and \u2014 when caught early \u2014 far more manageable than when it reaches an advanced stage. The challenge is that cats don&#8217;t make early detection easy. Their instinct is to mask vulnerability, and the disease itself often gives little away until it has progressed significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s why what happens at home matters more than what happens at the clinic. Knowing your cat&#8217;s normal \u2014 their resting respiratory rate, their daily activity patterns, their typical behavior \u2014 is the foundation of early detection. And having a tool that tracks those patterns continuously, and alerts you when something shifts, is the closest thing we have to catching heart disease early.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"klaviyo-form-XvB4pR\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/?utm_source=Maven&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=footer_description&amp;utm_content=Maven_embedded_link\">Maven Pet<\/a> focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24\/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand what heart disease in cats looks like, what to watch for, why early detection matters so much and how you can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":7801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cat-conditions"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Heart Disease in Cats: Signs &amp; What to Watch (Vet Verified)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand what heart disease in cats looks like, what to watch for, why early detection matters so much and how you can help.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Heart Disease in Cats: Signs &amp; 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Many cats show no visible signs in the early stages of the disease.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/#faq-question-1779486115995","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/#faq-question-1779486115995","name":"Is heart disease common in cats?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. HCM alone is considered one of the most frequently diagnosed cardiac conditions in cats, and it affects cats of all breeds and ages. Certain breeds \u2014 including Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Sphynx \u2014 carry a higher genetic risk, but any cat can develop heart disease.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/#faq-question-1779486131753","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/heart-disease-in-cats\/#faq-question-1779486131753","name":"When should I worry about my cat's breathing or activity?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A resting respiratory rate consistently above 30 breaths per minute during sleep is a meaningful signal worth discussing with your vet. Open-mouth breathing at rest is always abnormal in cats and requires prompt attention. Any sustained change in your cat's normal activity level or behavior \u2014 even gradual \u2014 is worth monitoring and mentioning to your veterinarian.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"full":["https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/heart_disease_in_cats.jpg",640,360,false]},"categories_names":{"28":{"name":"Cat Conditions","link":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/category\/pet-health\/cat-conditions\/"}},"tags_names":[],"comments_number":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7796"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7804,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7796\/revisions\/7804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}