Heart problems in cats are common but frequently go undetected because cats rarely show obvious symptoms until disease is advanced. The most common condition is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart walls to thicken. Early signs of heart issues in cats include faster breathing at rest, hiding, reduced activity and loss of appetite.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cardiovascular disease is among the ten most common causes of death in cats<\/a>. The most common form is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition in which the walls of the heart become abnormally thickened and stiff, reducing its ability to fill efficiently with blood. HCM affects an estimated 15% of the general cat population<\/a>, rising to around 29% in older cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other feline heart conditions include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conditions like hyperthyroidism and systemic hypertension can also affect the heart, causing structural changes that mimic primary cardiomyopathy and must be ruled out as part of any cardiac evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The signs in cats vary depending on the stage and type of disease. In the early stages, they can be so mild that they are easy to attribute to normal aging or stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subtle early signs to watch for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs of more advanced heart disease:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Cats often mask signs of disease, including the ones related to heart problems, until the disease becomes more advanced. Subtle changes like increased resting respiratory rate or reduced activity can be the earliest clues, making ongoing monitoring especially valuable.<\/em>” – Joana Babo, DVM, Veterinarian at Maven Pet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feline heart problems are notoriously difficult to catch early for several reasons. Cats with heart disease are less likely than dogs to have a detectable heart murmur<\/a>, which means one of the most common diagnostic triggers in other animals is often absent. Many cats with even significant heart disease have completely normal auscultation findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cats are also physiologically adept at compensating. They reduce their activity, rest more and avoid exertion. All of these are adjustments that delay the appearance of obvious symptoms. Because cats spend much of their day resting, owners often don’t notice gradual declines in energy or subtle changes in breathing until the disease has progressed considerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Routine veterinary visits alone are frequently insufficient for early detection: a cat can appear perfectly normal during a physical exam while carrying significant underlying cardiac disease. This is why tracking measurable indicators, particularly resting respiratory rate and activity trends over time, is so valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While heart problems can affect any breed, sex or age, certain factors increase the likelihood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Genetic testing is recommended for Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats intended for breeding, and regular echocardiographic screening should be considered even in cats that test negative for known mutations, as other genetic factors may still be at play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery time Umi is hospitalized, it\u2019s for like four days and it costs over $5,000\u2026 Maven has helped me not only save money<\/strong> but also save his life<\/strong><\/em>\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jessica Ortiz <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice any of the following in your cat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For cats in high-risk breeds, or those over 7\u20138 years of age, proactive cardiac evaluation, including echocardiography, should be discussed with your vet even in the absence of symptoms. Echocardiography is the gold standard for diagnosing feline cardiomyopathy<\/a> and is the most accurate tool for assessing prognosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because heart issues in cats so often develop silently, continuous monitoring is one of the most practical tools available to owners today. The Maven pet health tracker<\/a> monitors your cat around the clock, building a personalized baseline and alerting you when something shifts, and likely before symptoms become obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitor heart rate, respiratory rate, activity & rest, itch behavior.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nKey Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Are Common Heart Issues in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Are the Signs of Heart Issues in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why Are Heart Problems Hard to Detect in Cats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Umi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen Should You Contact a Veterinarian?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Maven Pet Helps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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