Why Is Cat Coughing?: Causes & Care

Can cats cough? Yes, cats can cough, and while it might sound alarming, it’s not always a sign of serious illness. However, persistent or severe coughing in felines warrants a veterinarian’s attention to identify the underlying cause and ensure proper treatment.

Coughing in cats can stem from a variety of sources, ranging from minor irritations to significant health conditions. Recognizing the different types of coughs and accompanying symptoms can help you communicate more effectively with your vet. This comprehensive guide will delve into the common reasons behind a cat coughing, explore Cat respiratory issues, and outline the best approaches to care.

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Fathoming the Causes of Cat Coughing

A cat coughing can be a distressing sound for owners, often mistaken for vomiting or gagging. However, coughing is a reflex designed to clear the airways of irritants or excess mucus. When this reflex is triggered, your cat might extend their neck, crouch low, and make a hacking, choking, or wheezing sound.

Common Culprits Behind a Cat Hacking

Several factors can lead to your feline friend experiencing a coughing fit. Let’s break down the most frequent offenders:

• Hairballs: This is perhaps the most widely known cause of coughing in cats. Cats are meticulous groomers, ingesting a significant amount of loose hair during their daily routines. This hair can accumulate in the stomach and intestines, forming hairballs. When a hairball becomes too large or irritates the throat, the cat may attempt to expel it through gagging and coughing. This often presents as a distinct Cat hairball cough, usually productive with the expulsion of the hairball, sometimes mixed with fluid or food.

• Cat Viral Infections: Just like humans, cats are susceptible to viral infections that can affect their respiratory system. These infections can cause inflammation and irritation in the throat and airways, leading to coughing.

  • Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1): A common cause of upper respiratory infections (URIs), FHV-1 can lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, and coughing.
  • Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another prevalent URI pathogen, FCV can cause oral ulcers, fever, and also contribute to coughing.
  • Feline Influenza: Similar to human flu, this can cause coughing, sneezing, lethargy, and fever.

• Cat Congestion and Throat Irritation: Beyond viral infections, various environmental factors and irritants can cause Cat congestion and Cat throat irritation, leading to coughing.

  • Allergies: Cats can develop allergies to pollen, dust mites, mold, cigarette smoke, or even certain foods. These allergies can manifest as respiratory symptoms, including coughing.
  • Irritants in the Environment: Strong perfumes, air fresheners, cleaning products, or smoke can irritate a cat’s sensitive airways, triggering a cough.
  • Foreign Objects: A small object lodged in the throat or upper airway can cause immediate and severe coughing, often accompanied by gagging and distress.

• Parasites: Certain internal parasites can migrate through the lungs, causing irritation and coughing.

  • Lungworms: These parasites live in the respiratory tract and can cause a chronic cough, especially in cats that go outdoors.
  • Heartworms: While primarily known for affecting the heart and lungs, heartworm disease can also cause coughing as a symptom.

• Bacterial Infections: While viruses are more common causes of primary respiratory infections, bacterial infections can sometimes follow viral ones or occur independently, leading to symptoms like coughing.

  • Bacterial Pneumonia: This is an infection of the lungs that can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and lethargy.

Delving Deeper: Specific Respiratory Conditions

When coughing is more persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate more specific Cat respiratory issues.

Interpreting Feline Asthma Symptoms

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, similar to asthma in humans. It’s a common cause of coughing in cats and can be triggered by allergens or irritants.

Recognizing Feline Asthma Symptoms:

• Persistent Coughing: Often described as a dry, hacking cough, sometimes sounding like gagging or choking.
• Wheezing: A whistling sound during breathing, particularly during exhalation. This is a classic sign of narrowed airways.
• Difficulty Breathing: Shortness of breath, open-mouth breathing, or rapid breathing, especially after exertion.
• Vomiting: Coughing can sometimes trigger vomiting, as the forceful expulsion of air can also bring up stomach contents.
• Lethargy: Reduced activity levels and a general lack of energy.
• Loss of Appetite: In severe cases, the discomfort and difficulty breathing can affect appetite.

If you suspect your cat has asthma, a veterinary diagnosis is crucial. Treatment often involves bronchodilators to open the airways and anti-inflammatory medications, usually corticosteroids, to reduce airway inflammation. Environmental management to reduce allergen exposure is also vital.

Unraveling Cat Bronchitis Causes

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. Like asthma, it can be chronic or acute.

Common Cat Bronchitis Causes:

• Infections: Viral or bacterial infections are primary causes of acute bronchitis.
• Allergies: Environmental allergens can lead to chronic inflammation of the bronchi.
• Irritants: Exposure to smoke, dust, or chemical irritants can cause bronchial inflammation.
• Parasites: As mentioned earlier, certain parasites can contribute to lung and airway inflammation.

Symptoms of bronchitis can include a hacking cough, wheezing, and sometimes an increased respiratory rate. Similar to asthma, treatment may involve medications to reduce inflammation and open airways, along with addressing any underlying causes like infections or allergies.

Comprehending Cat Pneumonia

Cat pneumonia is a serious infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. This inflammation can make it difficult for your cat to breathe.

Causes of Cat Pneumonia:

• Bacterial Infections: Often secondary to other conditions like viral infections or aspiration.
• Viral Infections: Some viruses can directly cause pneumonia.
• Fungal Infections: Less common, but certain fungal infections can lead to pneumonia.
• Aspiration Pneumonia: This occurs when foreign material, such as food, vomit, or liquid, is inhaled into the lungs. This is particularly common in cats with neurological issues or those recovering from anesthesia.
• Parasites: Lungworms can, in some cases, lead to pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia are often more severe than those of bronchitis or mild asthma and can include:
* Severe coughing, sometimes producing phlegm.
* Labored breathing, with the chest and abdomen moving more than usual.
* Rapid breathing.
* Fever.
* Lethargy.
* Loss of appetite.
* Nasal discharge.

Pneumonia requires prompt veterinary intervention, often involving antibiotics (if bacterial), oxygen therapy, fluid therapy, and bronchodilators.

Deciphering Other Coughing Triggers

Beyond the primary respiratory conditions, other factors can contribute to a cat coughing.

Heart Conditions and Coughing

While less common than respiratory causes, certain heart conditions in cats can lead to coughing. Fluid buildup in the lungs due to heart disease (pulmonary edema) can trigger a cough. If your cat has a heart murmur or is showing other signs of cardiac distress, such as rapid breathing or fatigue, a heart condition should be considered.

Neoplasia (Cancer)

In older cats, persistent coughing can sometimes be a sign of lung tumors or other cancers affecting the chest cavity. This is less common but a serious possibility that a veterinarian will consider in their diagnostic process.

The Role of Obesity

Overweight cats can experience increased breathing difficulties and coughing, especially after physical activity. Excess weight can put pressure on the lungs and airways, exacerbating any underlying respiratory issues.

Diagnosing the Cause of Coughing

When your cat presents with a cough, your veterinarian will employ a systematic approach to determine the cause.

Veterinary Examination and History

The first step is a thorough physical examination. Your vet will listen to your cat’s heart and lungs using a stethoscope, check their temperature, and assess their overall condition. They will also ask you detailed questions about:

• When the coughing started.
• The frequency and nature of the cough (e.g., dry, wet, hacking, wheezing).
• Any accompanying symptoms (e.g., sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy, appetite changes, vomiting).
• Your cat’s environment (e.g., indoor/outdoor, presence of smokers, use of air fresheners).
• Your cat’s diet and any recent changes.
• Vaccination history and deworming status.

Diagnostic Tests

Based on the initial examination and history, your vet may recommend several diagnostic tests:

• Chest X-rays: These are crucial for visualizing the lungs, heart, and airways. X-rays can help identify signs of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, fluid accumulation, tumors, or heart enlargement.
• Blood Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry profile can help detect infection, inflammation, or organ dysfunction.
• Fecal Examination: To check for internal parasites, particularly lungworms.
• Bronchoscopy: A procedure where a small, flexible camera is inserted into the airways to directly visualize the trachea and bronchi. This can help diagnose inflammatory conditions, identify foreign objects, or collect samples for analysis.
• Airway Cytology: Samples collected via bronchoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage (washing out the airways) can be analyzed under a microscope to identify inflammatory cells, bacteria, or fungi.
• Heartworm Test: To rule out heartworm infection.
• Allergy Testing: If allergies are suspected, specific tests can be performed to identify environmental allergens.

Caring for a Coughing Cat

The care plan for a coughing cat will entirely depend on the diagnosed cause.

General Supportive Care

While awaiting diagnosis or for mild cases, supportive care can be beneficial:

• Keep the Environment Clean: Reduce dust, allergens, and irritants. Consider using an air purifier.
• Humidify the Air: A humidifier in the room where your cat rests can help loosen mucus and soothe irritated airways.
• Hydration: Ensure your cat has constant access to fresh water. For cats with severe congestion, you might need to offer wet food or add water to their food to encourage hydration.
• Reduce Stress: A calm environment can help manage stress-related symptoms.

Medical Treatments

Specific medical treatments will be prescribed by your veterinarian. These may include:

• Antibiotics: For bacterial infections.
• Antivirals: In some cases of severe viral infections, though often supportive care is primary.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: Corticosteroids (oral or inhaled) are often used to reduce inflammation in asthma and chronic bronchitis.
• Bronchodilators: Medications that help open up narrowed airways, providing relief from wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Deworming Medications: To treat parasitic infections.
• Diuretics: To remove excess fluid from the lungs in cases of heart failure.
• Surgery: In rare cases, such as for foreign body removal or tumor excision.

Nutritional Support

A balanced diet is crucial for overall health and immune function. For cats with respiratory issues, especially those with reduced appetite, highly palatable and easily digestible food may be recommended.

Managing Hairballs

To prevent coughing related to hairballs:

• Regular Grooming: Brush your cat frequently to remove loose hair, especially during shedding seasons.
• Hairball Remedies: Over-the-counter hairball remedies, often in the form of pastes or treats, can help move hair through the digestive system.
• Dietary Changes: Some specialized cat foods are formulated to help prevent hairballs.

When to Seek Veterinary Attention Immediately

While some coughing may resolve on its own, certain signs indicate a need for urgent veterinary care.

Seek immediate veterinary help if your cat exhibits any of the following:

• Severe difficulty breathing: Open-mouth breathing, gasping for air, or blue-tinged gums.
• Rapid, shallow breathing.
• Coughing intensely and persistently, without relief.
• Coughing up blood.
• Sudden collapse or extreme lethargy.
• High fever.
• Inability to eat or drink.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I groom my cat to prevent hairballs?
A1: For most cats, brushing a few times a week is sufficient. Long-haired breeds may require daily brushing. During shedding seasons, you might need to increase the frequency.

Q2: Can a cat cough due to stress?
A2: While stress itself doesn’t directly cause a cough, it can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma or trigger a gag reflex that resembles coughing. If you suspect stress is a factor, try to identify and remove stressors from your cat’s environment.

Q3: My cat makes a strange noise that sounds like coughing, but nothing comes out. What could it be?
A3: This could indicate a variety of issues. It might be a dry, hacking cough associated with asthma or bronchitis, or it could be gagging due to a hairball or even something stuck in the throat. The presence of Cat wheezing along with this sound is a significant indicator of airway narrowing.

Q4: Can I give my cat over-the-counter cough medicine?
A4: Never give your cat human medications without explicit veterinary instruction. Many human medications are toxic to cats, and even pet-specific formulations need to be prescribed by a vet for the correct dosage and condition.

Q5: My cat has a lot of congestion, what can I do?
A5: For mild Cat congestion, a warm, humid environment can help. Ensure your cat is well-hydrated. If the congestion is severe or persistent, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause, as it could be a symptom of an underlying infection or inflammation.

Q6: What are the signs of Feline Asthma?
A6: Key Feline asthma symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and sometimes vomiting. Observing these signs warrants a veterinary visit.

By staying vigilant and seeking prompt veterinary care when needed, you can help your feline companion breathe easier and maintain a healthy, happy life, free from the distress of persistent coughing.