High Blood Pressure in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a condition that can affect cats just like people. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure can be measured in cats, and a veterinarian can determine if a cat’s blood pressure is too high and needs to be treated. To learn more about this condition, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments, keep reading.
What Are the Causes of High Blood Pressure in Cats?
According to Cornell Feline Health Center, systolic blood pressure measurements are used to diagnose high blood pressure in cats. If a cat’s systolic blood pressure is 150-180mmHg, they have mild to moderate hypertension. If the number is under 150mmHg, they’re at low risk for hypertension. If the number is higher than 180mmHg, they’re at high risk of hypertension. These measurements are taken in a veterinary office, where cats are typically stressed and their numbers may be elevated as a result, so vets keep this in mind when making a diagnosis.
Aside from stress, what can cause feline hypertension? Most of the time, there’s another condition to blame. Diseases that can elevate blood pressure include hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease.
However, high blood pressure can occur without an underlying cause. In this case, it’s known as primary hypertension rather than secondary hypertension.
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Cats?
When blood pressure is elevated, it can lead to organ and tissue damage, with the eyes, heart, kidneys, nervous system, and brain being most affected.
It can be difficult to tell if your cat has high blood pressure, so this is one of many reasons to have your kitty examined by a veterinarian regularly, especially as they get older and their risk increases.
Some of the symptoms of hypertension in cats are:
- Eye problems, such as constantly dilated pupils, swelling and bleeding in the back of the eye, retinal detachment, and vision loss (cats can go blind because of high blood pressure)
- Proteinuria (increased protein loss in urine)
- Weakness
- Head tilt
- Uncoordinated movements, wobbliness, circling
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
- Changes in behavior
Also, high blood pressure can lead to changes in the heart, such as wall thickening. In other words, high blood pressure can cause heart disease. If a veterinarian picks up on a problem, such as an abnormal rhythm or heart murmur, during an exam, they may order other tests to check on the health of the cardiovascular system.
What Are the Treatments for High Blood Pressure in Cats?
Once your cat has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are medications for bringing it down to within the normal range. By doing so, you may prevent damage to organs, as discussed above.
Your cat might need blood pressure medication for the rest of their life, and it will be important to have your veterinarian check your cat often to ensure they’re receiving the right dose. If the medicine is too strong, it could lead to blood pressure that’s too low, and if it isn’t strong enough, it won’t be effective at reducing the blood pressure to an appropriate level.
Medications used to treat high blood pressure in cats include:
- Amlodipine
- Benazepril
- Telmisartan
If your cat has an underlying problem related to the high blood pressure, your veterinarian will treat it, too. And they can provide guidance on any dietary changes that might be helpful in managing your kitty’s blood pressure.
Can You Measure Your Cat’s Blood Pressure at Home?
Veterinarians have specialized equipment to check a cat’s blood pressure. But, as mentioned above, being in the vet’s exam room can be stressful for a kitty, and that could elevate their blood pressure. So, you might be wondering if you can check your cat’s blood pressure at home, and the answer is yes.
Monitoring your cat’s blood pressure at home can alert you to changes you need to tell your vet about, especially if you’re currently medicating your kitty for hypertension. It can be a low-stress way of getting measurements that help your vet make treatment decisions. And it gives you the chance to keep an eye on your cat’s numbers in between vet appointments—monitoring at home doesn’t eliminate the need for veterinary checkups.
There are a few things to keep in mind when measuring your cat’s blood pressure at home:
- You need to have a reliable blood pressure monitor, so consult your veterinarian for recommendations or have them test the product you bought to determine its accuracy.
- Your cat might not tolerate having their blood pressure taken even while comfortable at home. Taking multiple measurements and getting an average can give you the most accurate reading, but this can be challenging with a cat who won’t cooperate.
- Getting an accurate reading may take some trial and error until you get the hang of things. Your veterinarian can teach you how to use an at-home pet blood pressure monitor to ensure you do so correctly.
There are several blood pressure monitors specifically designed for cats and dogs, and they range in price from under $100 to over $1,000.
One example of an affordably priced blood pressure monitor for cats is the CONTEC08A-VET Digital Blood Pressure Monitor. It comes with instructions to tell you how to use it: you place the cuff on your cat’s tail or leg and take a measurement while they’re relaxed.
Seek Veterinary Care for High Blood Pressure in Cats
Feline high blood pressure is a serious condition that requires veterinary treatment. If it isn’t addressed, it can lead to serious complications that aren’t reversible. The good news is there are medications to get it under control and help your cat feel better.
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Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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