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Why Is My Cat Coughing
That sudden, hacking sound from your otherwise quiet cat can be alarming. Is it just a hairball, or is it something more serious? A cough is your cat’s natural reflex to clear an irritant or inflammation from their airways, and it’s always a symptom of an underlying issue. While some causes are minor, others can be emergencies. Understanding what a cough really sounds like and what might be behind it is the first step in knowing when it’s time to call the veterinarian.
What Does a Cat Cough Actually Sound Like?
Before you can figure out the cause, it’s important to confirm you’re dealing with a true cough. Cats are subtle creatures, and their coughs can easily be confused with other sounds. Pet owners often have trouble telling the difference between a cough, gagging, or even vomiting.
A true cough is a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. It can sound dry and hacking or wet and phlegmy. The cat will typically crouch low to the ground with its neck extended. In contrast, when a cat gags or tries to vomit, you’ll see a propulsive, abdominal motion as they heave. A hairball is often preceded by this kind of retching. Another sound, reverse sneezing, is a repetitive snorting noise made while inhaling, often with the cat’s lips flared out. Being able to describe the sound accurately can give your vet crucial clues.
Common Causes of Coughing in Cats
Once you’ve identified a real cough, the next question is what’s causing it. A cough is a non-specific symptom that can point to a wide range of conditions, from mild to severe. Here are some of the most common culprits.
Feline Asthma and Allergies
Just like people, cats can suffer from asthma and environmental allergies. When an allergic cat inhales an irritant like pollen, dust, or mold, their airways can become inflamed and narrowed, triggering a dry, persistent cough or wheezing.
Respiratory Infections
Bacterial and viral infections, such as feline viral rhinotracheitis (a common “kitty cold”), can cause inflammation and irritation throughout the respiratory tract. This often results in a cough that can be either dry or wet, and may be accompanied by sneezing or nasal discharge.
Heartworm Disease and Other Parasites
While often associated with dogs, heartworm disease can also affect cats and is very serious. The presence of these parasites in the heart and lungs causes significant inflammation, leading to a dry, hacking cough. Other internal parasites, like lungworms or migrating roundworms, can also trigger a cough as they travel through the body.
Foreign Objects
Curiosity can sometimes lead a cat to accidentally inhale a small foreign object, like a blade of grass or a piece of food. This will trigger a sudden, dry cough as their body tries to expel the irritant from the airway.
Bronchitis
This condition involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the small airways inside the lungs. It obstructs airflow and results in a chronic, dry, and hacking cough that can be quite persistent.
Structural Issues or Tumors
Though less common, a condition called a collapsing trachea (windpipe) can restrict airflow and cause a distinct “goose honk” cough. In rare cases, a tumor in the chest or airways can also be the source of a chronic cough.
When to See a Vet: Gauging the Urgency
Not every cough warrants a panicked trip to the emergency room. If your cat coughs once or twice and then seems perfectly fine—eating, drinking, and playing normally—it may have just been a minor throat tickle. In this case, you can monitor them at home for any developing symptoms.
However, a persistent or recurring cough should always be evaluated by a veterinarian at the next available appointment. And some situations are true emergencies.
Seek immediate veterinary care if your cat’s cough is accompanied by any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, or wheezing
- Bluish or pale gums
- Coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus
- Extreme lethargy or unwillingness to move
- A decreased appetite or refusal to eat
How Your Veterinarian Diagnoses a Cough
To get to the bottom of the cough, your vet will start with a thorough physical exam, listening carefully to your cat’s heart and lungs. From there, they may recommend a series of diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause. These can include:
- Chest X-rays: To look for signs of inflammation, fluid, tumors, or structural abnormalities in the lungs and airways.
- Blood Work: To check for signs of infection or inflammation and to screen for illnesses like heartworm disease.
- Parasite Screening: A stool sample can be checked for parasites that may migrate to the lungs.
- Bronchoscopy: A procedure where a tiny camera is guided into the airways (under sedation) to look for abnormalities and collect fluid samples for analysis.
Treatment Paths for a Coughing Cat
The right treatment plan depends entirely on the underlying diagnosis. Your veterinarian may prescribe:
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is identified.
- Anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroids, to reduce airway inflammation from conditions like asthma or bronchitis.
- Bronchodilators to help open up the airways and make breathing easier, especially for asthmatic cats.
- Anti-parasitic medications to eliminate heartworms, lungworms, or other internal parasites.
- Surgery in the rare event that a tumor or foreign object needs to be removed.
At home, you can support your cat’s recovery by running a humidifier in their favorite resting spot to help moisturize their airways. Ensuring they have a quiet, stress-free environment with easy access to fresh food and water is also beneficial.
A cough in your cat is a clear signal that something needs attention. By observing them closely and partnering with your vet, you can get to the root of the problem and start them on the path to breathing easy again.