Petite Kitten, high respiration rate

Little orange tabby is now 6 months old, very svelte at 7 lbs 3.5 oz, but I've always noticed that she seems to have a high respiration rate. I know smaller ANIMALS have higher rates, just wondering about svelte kittens.

It could be that she was just "resting" between olympic events (excited state) with her big brother, but I counted 80 breaths per minute (20 in 15 seconds) which is way above a "resting cat." I will pay more attention and try and catch her breath count when she is actually sacked out  - but even then, without counting, it looks high.

I'm not really concerned, she seems very active, growing well, good behavior... but it sure looks higher than what it ought to be.

I would call my Vet about this, just to get some general guidelines about it.  Your other cat kind of had the same issue, didn't he?   Something similar..panting?  Did you ever figure out why they were BOTH doing that?  Anyway, this could be related.

First I'll count her respiration rate when I see she is either sleeping or very relaxed.

Yes, RT doesn't play very strongly with me, even with da bird... he is so enamored of his sister. At first I was worried that he was being lethargic - uhm, no... they have fierce chase me play every day (and, as expected, he sometimes gets to panting from it). It isn't that he won't play or chase wand toys with me any more, he just seems distracted. I HAVE to lock her in another room (or she will dominate play), and then he will sometimes play... until he hears her complaining about being locked away. He'd rather go play paws under doors with her than with a wand toy. Sigh... I miss that sometimes... but I don't miss his play aggression.

She, however, goes crazy with da bird, and will not slow down for anything - so she pants too, but only after real exercise. He used to pant when he got excited in anticipation of play... but I haven't seen that.

Odd how things have turned out. I've never seen two cats so comfortable with each other and yet with such different personalities. And so trusting of me, too.

So, yes...  if her respiration rate is high at genuine rest I will take her to the vet. Although she will be due (in my book) just for a check up in a couple of months. I plan to do twice yearly check ups for each.

Sorry I kind of got off topic there.

Thanks.