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anatomy guide

Cat cardiovascular system — anatomy overview

Overview of the feline heart and circulation — a compact four-chambered heart with a relatively fast resting rate supplying a small, active body.
General educational reference only — not clinical or veterinary advice. Anatomy varies between individual animals; consult a licensed veterinarian for any health concern.

The heart

Cats have a four-chambered heart with two atria and two ventricles separated by one-way valves. The right side sends blood to the lungs and the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. An internal electrical system coordinates each heartbeat.

Circulation

Blood moves through two connected loops: the pulmonary circuit through the lungs and the systemic circuit through the rest of the body. Arteries deliver oxygenated blood, veins return it, and capillaries are where exchange with tissues happens. This keeps oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood separate.

Heart rate

Because cats are small and metabolically active, their resting heart rate is faster than that of larger animals. Heart rate varies with activity, stress, and body condition. The cardiovascular system adjusts blood flow continually to match the body's demands.

Sources

More Cat anatomy

Digestive systemSkeletal systemRespiratory systemUrinary systemIntegumentary systemDental anatomy

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