What It Is
Heart disease in cats refers to any condition that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. The most common type is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease that causes the heart muscle to thicken abnormally.
Unlike in dogs or humans, feline heart disease is often silent, with few or no signs until it’s advanced. That’s why it’s sometimes discovered during routine exams or before anesthesia. Early detection can make a big difference.
🐾 Common Symptoms
Many cats with heart disease show no obvious symptoms, especially in the early stages. When signs do appear, they may include:
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Open-mouth breathing or panting (especially after exertion)
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Fainting or collapse
- Sudden hind limb paralysis (a sign of arterial thromboembolism, which is a true emergency)
- Weak pulse
- Coughing (rare in cats, unlike dogs)
- Sudden death (tragically, sometimes the first sign)
If your cat is open-mouth breathing or breathing rapidly at rest, that’s a red alert. Get to the vet immediately.
🦠 Causes
Heart disease can be acquired or congenital. The most common causes include:
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – thickened heart muscle (most common)
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) – enlarged, weak heart (rare today, mostly linked to diet)
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy – stiff heart walls
- Congenital heart defects – rare; present from birth
- Hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure – can lead to secondary heart changes
- Taurine deficiency – rare in commercial diets, still a risk with unbalanced homemade food
Certain breeds like Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and British Shorthairs are genetically predisposed to HCM.
🔍 Diagnosis
Because symptoms are subtle or absent, diagnosis often happens before surgery or during a routine checkup when a murmur or irregular rhythm is detected.
Diagnostic tools include:
- Auscultation (listening to the heart)
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) – gold standard for diagnosing HCM and other cardiomyopathies
- Chest X-rays – to check for fluid buildup (congestive heart failure)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – to assess rhythm abnormalities
- Blood pressure measurement
- NT-proBNP blood test – screens for heart muscle stress
💊 Treatment
There’s no cure for most forms of heart disease, but treatment focuses on slowing progression, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications like blood clots or heart failure.
Common treatments:
- Beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers – to relax the heart muscle
- ACE inhibitors – to reduce heart strain
- Diuretics – to remove excess fluid in congestive heart failure
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs – to reduce blood clot risk
- Diet modification (low-sodium, heart-friendly)
- Routine monitoring – with recheck ultrasounds and bloodwork
🩺 Prognosis
Prognosis varies widely:
- Cats with mild HCM may live many years without symptoms.
- Cats with moderate to severe disease may live months to years, depending on treatment response.
- A cat that develops thromboembolism (blood clot) or congestive heart failure has a guarded to poor prognosis.
Regular monitoring, early detection, and following your vet’s recommendations can make a big difference.
💡 Cat Owner Note
You can’t always “see” heart disease, but your vet can hear it. That’s why regular checkups matter, especially for older cats or breeds at risk. If your cat ever starts breathing fast while resting or pants like a dog, it’s not anxiety. It’s an emergency.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Feline Heart Disease
Can cats live with heart disease?
Yes. Many cats with mild or moderate disease live long, comfortable lives with monitoring and medication.
What’s the most common heart disease in cats?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens and becomes less efficient at pumping blood.
Is coughing a sign of heart disease in cats?
Not typically. Unlike dogs, cats with heart disease rarely cough. Breathing changes are a more common sign.
What is a saddle thrombus?
A painful and often paralyzing blood clot that blocks blood flow to the hind legs. It’s a medical emergency and often linked to heart disease.
How is heart disease detected in cats?
Often during a routine exam when a vet hears a murmur or arrhythmia. Ultrasound (echocardiogram) confirms the diagnosis.
Can heart disease be prevented?
Not always, especially if it’s genetic. But controlling thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and feeding a balanced diet helps reduce risk.
How often should a cat with heart disease be checked?
Every 3–6 months, depending on the severity. Your vet may recommend repeat echocardiograms or bloodwork to track changes.