Noticing your cat coughing, wheezing, or showing other respiratory symptoms can be distressing. These symptoms might have several causes, but they generally indicate that something is irritating your cat’s lungs, throat, or airway.
Noticing any new symptoms in your furry friend is a good signal to take them to the vet. Hudson Animal Hospital in NYC will perform an exam to determine why your cat is coughing and wheezing, then develop a comprehensive treatment plan to get them back to their happy, purring self.
Possible Causes of Coughing and Wheezing in Cats
Your cat could be coughing or wheezing for many reasons. Below are a few common causes of cat coughs and respiratory symptoms.
Feline Asthma
Feline asthma is one of the most common reasons cats cough and wheeze. If your cat spends time outside regularly, they may be more likely to develop asthma. It is often triggered by irritants or allergens in the environment.
Signs of feline asthma may include:
- Persistent coughing
- Wheezing, especially when exhaling
- Rapid breathing
- Open-mouth breathing
- Lethargy
If your feline friend has developed asthma, your vet can create a treatment plan to help manage their symptoms long-term and keep them comfortable.
Cat Colds or Upper Respiratory Infections
Your cat may have picked up an upper respiratory infection, or “cat cold,” from another cat. Colds are primarily caused by feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus, which are highly contagious among cats in close quarters. Symptoms of cat colds may include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Watery or red eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Lethargy
Cat colds often resolve on their own within a week. If your cat has been showing symptoms for longer than a week or their symptoms are severe, such as difficulty breathing or a complete loss of appetite, consult a vet. They might have a more serious infection, such as bronchitis, which can lead to airway inflammation and requires more intense treatment.
Allergic Reactions
If your cat is coughing and wheezing during seasons with high pollen counts, they might have seasonal allergies. Cats can experience allergies just like humans do. Coughing and wheezing are often accompanied by sneezing, sniffling, or other respiratory symptoms when due to allergies.
Heartworm Disease
Many cat owners are surprised to learn that their feline friends can contract heartworm disease. While this condition is more common in dogs, it can also affect cats and produce serious, sometimes deadly symptoms.
Cats contract heartworms from infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Fainting
Many of these symptoms are similar to those of asthma, which is why it is always important to let a vet assess your cat’s health after developing new symptoms.
Pneumonia
Cats can develop pneumonia due to bacteria, viruses, inhaling foreign substances, or underlying immune system problems. This inflammation of the lungs may produce symptoms like coughing, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, fever, and lethargy.
Most cats recover well from pneumonia with early treatment. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics, oxygen therapy, nebulization, and supportive care.
Lung Cancer
While not as common as other feline cancers, lung cancer is another cause of coughing and wheezing in cats. This form of cancer can be primary, meaning it originated in the lungs, or secondary, meaning it spread from another part of the body.
Early signs of lung cancer are often vague, including weight loss and lethargy. Advanced signs may include difficulty breathing, respiratory distress, wheezing, or open-mouth breathing. You might also notice coughing with blood.
Tight Collars
Sometimes, the causes of wheezing and coughing in cats are less serious. If your cat wears a collar that’s too tight, it may put pressure on their windpipe. Try removing their collar and see whether the respiratory symptoms subside.
Inhaled Foreign Objects
Cats might also cough after inhaling foreign objects, such as pieces of kibble, grass, or string, as a way to expel the obstruction. Do not try to remove foreign objects yourself. Take your cat to the vet for professional intervention.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Coughing and Wheezing
If your cat has begun coughing and wheezing, assess the severity of their symptoms to determine how to proceed.
- If your cat shows signs of labored breathing or respiratory distress, seek emergency veterinary care. You can also count their breaths per minute to determine whether they are in respiratory distress. A resting or sleeping cat generally takes 20 to 30 breaths per minute; if their breathing is more rapid, they may need emergency treatment.
- If your cat is having minor coughing episodes or is wheezing quietly and does not show signs of respiratory distress, you can monitor their symptoms or call your vet for guidance. If their symptoms persist or worsen, take them to the vet.
A minor cat cold may not require treatment. You can try at-home treatments such as running a humidifier or taking them into the bathroom with a hot shower running to breathe in the steam.
But the other causes of coughing and wheezing may indicate a new health condition and require veterinary intervention. Be sure to monitor their symptoms closely and watch for any changes in breathing patterns, appetite, or behavior.
When in doubt, call your vet and ask for their advice. They will likely recommend bringing in your feline friend for an exam.
Schedule an Exam With Hudson Animal Hospital
Noticing any new symptoms in your furry friend can be worrisome. If your cat is coughing and wheezing, you might be anticipating the worst. But many causes of coughing and respiratory distress are minor and can be resolved with treatment.
Your best bet is always to take your feline friend to the veterinarian for an exam. Your vet will assess their symptoms and perform tests, such as X-rays, blood tests, or more specialized diagnostics like a bronchoscopy. They will then pinpoint your cat’s condition and create a treatment plan.
Hudson Animal Hospital regularly treats cats with feline asthma, respiratory infections, and a host of other respiratory conditions. If your cat is coughing and wheezing, call us today at 212-706-4088 or request an appointment online.