Why Does My Cat Coughing? Understanding the Causes and Solutions

Hearing your cat cough can be unsettling. That dry, hacking sound might make you wonder, “Why is my cat coughing?” or even, “Is my cat sick?” Coughing in cats isn’t as common as in humans or dogs, but when it happens, it’s often a sign that something’s irritating their airways or lungs. While an occasional cough might not be a cause for alarm, persistent or severe coughing could point to a health issue that needs attention.

Why Does My Cat Coughing

In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind your cat’s coughing, how to tell when it’s serious, and what you can do to help your furry friend. Written in simple, everyday English, this guide is designed to be user-friendly for all cat owners, whether you’re a first-time pet parent or a seasoned cat lover.

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We’ll cover everything from common causes like hairballs to more serious conditions like asthma or heart disease. You’ll learn how to spot the difference between coughing and other sounds, when to call the vet, and how to keep your cat healthy. Let’s dive into the world of feline coughing and help you understand what’s going on with your cat.

What Is Cat Coughing?

Before we get into the causes, let’s clarify what coughing in cats looks and sounds like. A cat’s cough is usually a dry, hacking sound, sometimes followed by a retch or gag. It might seem like your cat is trying to clear their throat or bring something up. However, it’s easy to confuse coughing with other sounds, so here’s how to tell them apart:

Coughing: A sudden, forceful burst of air from the lungs, often due to irritation in the airways. It’s typically dry and repetitive.
Retching: The sound of a cat trying to vomit, often linked to hairballs. It’s more of a heaving motion than a cough.
Gagging: Similar to retching, but might happen if something’s stuck in the throat.

If your cat’s making a hacking sound and then vomits a hairball, it’s likely retching, not coughing. But if the sound is dry, doesn’t lead to vomiting, and happens repeatedly, it’s probably a true cough. Noting these details can help your vet figure out what’s wrong.

Common Causes of Coughing in Cats

Coughing in cats can have many causes, from minor issues to serious health problems. Below, we’ll explore the most common reasons your cat might be coughing, with simple explanations to help you understand each one.

1. Hairballs

What it is: Cats groom themselves by licking their fur, which can lead to swallowing loose hair. This hair can form a ball in the stomach, which the cat eventually vomits up.
Why it’s confused with coughing: The retching sound of a cat trying to bring up a hairball can sound like coughing, but it’s not a true cough.
Signs: Hacking or heaving, followed by vomiting a tube-shaped mass of hair.
What to do: Regular grooming reduces the amount of hair your cat swallows. You can also try hairball remedies or add fiber to their diet to help hair pass through the digestive system. If hairballs are frequent, talk to your vet to rule out other issues.

2. Respiratory Infections

What it is: Cats can catch viral, bacterial, or fungal infections that affect their respiratory system, causing inflammation and coughing.
Common types:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): A herpesvirus causing upper respiratory symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another virus that can lead to respiratory issues.
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica: A bacteria causing “kennel cough,” especially in multi-cat homes or shelters.
Signs: Coughing, sneezing, runny nose or eyes, fever, and tiredness.
What to do: If your cat has these symptoms, keep them away from other pets and visit the vet. Bacterial infections may need antibiotics, while viral infections often require supportive care like fluids or rest PetMD.

3. Asthma

What it is: Feline asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing harder. It’s one of the most common causes of coughing in cats.
Triggers: Allergens like dust, pollen, mold, or cigarette smoke can set off asthma attacks.
Signs: Dry coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, or open-mouth breathing during an attack.
What to do: Vets often prescribe corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and bronchodilators to open airways. Inhaled medications using a cat-specific chamber are effective for many cats. Keep your home clean and smoke-free to reduce triggers PetMD.

4. Heartworm Disease

What it is: Heartworms are parasites spread by mosquitoes. While more common in dogs, cats can get them too. Worms in the lungs can cause coughing.
Signs: Coughing, breathing trouble, weight loss, and low energy.
Why it’s serious: Treatment is tricky in cats, so prevention is key.
What to do: Use heartworm preventives as recommended by your vet. If heartworms are suspected, your vet will guide you through diagnosis and management PetMD.

5. Foreign Objects

What it is: If your cat inhales something like grass, a small toy, or liquid, it can irritate their airways and cause coughing.
Signs: Sudden coughing, especially after playing with small objects or being outdoors.
What to do: Take your cat to the vet right away. Removing the object may require sedation, bronchoscopy, or surgery.

6. Allergies

What it is: Cats can be allergic to things like pollen, dust mites, or mold, which can irritate their airways and cause coughing.
Signs: Coughing, sneezing, itchy skin, or watery eyes.
What to do: Try to identify and remove allergens from your home. Your vet may suggest antihistamines or other medications UrgentVet.

7. Heart Disease

What it is: Rarely, heart disease can cause coughing in cats by leading to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Signs: Coughing, breathing trouble, low energy, and weight loss.
What to do: Heart disease needs veterinary management with medications to improve heart function and reduce fluid VCA Hospitals.

8. Pleural Effusion

What it is: This is when fluid builds up around the lungs, often due to heart failure, cancer, or infections.
Signs: Coughing, breathing difficulty, and a “wet” breathing sound.
What to do: This is a serious condition requiring immediate vet care. Treatment involves draining the fluid and addressing the cause PetMD.

9. Cancer

What it is: Tumors in the lungs or airways, like lung cancer or lymphoma, can cause coughing.
Signs: Persistent coughing, weight loss, low energy, and breathing trouble.
What to do: Diagnosis involves X-rays or biopsies. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, or palliative care, depending on the cancer’s stage.

10. Trauma

What it is: Injury to the respiratory tract from physical, chemical, or thermal causes (like inhaling smoke) can lead to coughing.
Signs: Sudden coughing, breathing trouble, and distress.
What to do: If your cat has been exposed to smoke or chemicals, get them to a vet immediately for treatment.

11. Kennel Cough

What it is: Though more common in dogs, cats can catch bordetella or other pathogens, especially in crowded environments.
Signs: Coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
What to do: Isolate your cat and visit the vet for diagnosis and treatment PetMD.

Cause	Key Signs	Action
Hairballs	Hacking, vomiting hair	Groom regularly, use hairball remedies
Respiratory Infections	Coughing, sneezing, discharge	Vet visit, possible antibiotics
Asthma	Coughing, wheezing, breathing trouble	Medications, reduce triggers
Heartworms	Coughing, weight loss	Preventives, vet management
Foreign Objects	Sudden coughing	Immediate vet visit
Allergies	Coughing, sneezing, itchy skin	Remove allergens, vet advice
Heart Disease	Coughing, breathing trouble	Vet medications
Pleural Effusion	Wet breathing, coughing	Urgent vet care
Cancer	Persistent coughing, weight loss	Vet diagnosis, treatment options
Trauma	Sudden coughing, distress	Immediate vet care
Kennel Cough	Coughing, sneezing	Isolate, vet visit

When to See a Vet

An occasional cough might not be a problem, but certain signs mean you should act quickly:

Persistent Coughing: Coughing that lasts more than a few days or happens often.
Severe Coughing: Intense coughing that causes distress or exhaustion.
Other Symptoms: Look for lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathing trouble, or nasal/eye discharge.
Nighttime Coughing: Coughing at night could point to asthma or other respiratory issues.
Emergency: Coughing up blood is a red flag. It could be due to trauma, cancer, severe infections, or poisoning. Call your vet immediately Kingsdale.

If you’re unsure, it’s always better to check with your vet. Early action can prevent bigger problems.

How Vets Diagnose Coughing

When you take your cat to the vet, they’ll work to find the cause of the coughing. Here’s what they might do:

Physical Exam: Listening to the lungs, checking the throat, and looking for signs of illness.
Medical History: Asking about the cough’s frequency, sound, and other symptoms.
Tests:
- X-rays: To see the lungs and heart.
- Blood Tests: To check for infections or other issues.
- Fecal Tests: To rule out parasites like heartworms.
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): Collecting lung fluid for analysis.

These steps help your vet pinpoint the cause and plan the right treatment Vetwest.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on what’s causing the cough. Here’s a breakdown:

Hairballs: Groom your cat regularly and use hairball remedies or high-fiber food.
Respiratory Infections: Antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral drugs for some viruses, or antifungal meds for fungal infections.
Asthma: Corticosteroids and bronchodilators, often given via inhalers. Avoid triggers like dust or smoke.
Heartworms: Complex treatment to kill worms, done under vet supervision. Prevention is better.
Foreign Objects: Removal via surgery or bronchoscopy, plus antibiotics if there’s infection.
Allergies: Remove allergens or use antihistamines as prescribed.
Heart Disease: Medications to improve heart function and reduce lung fluid.
Pleural Effusion: Draining fluid and treating the cause, like cancer or infection.
Cancer: Surgery, chemotherapy, or palliative care, depending on the case.
Trauma: Medical care or surgery, based on the injury.
Kennel Cough: Antibiotics or supportive care, plus isolation from other pets.

Never give your cat human cough medicine—it can be toxic. Always follow your vet’s advice Plains Vets.

Preventing Coughing in Cats

While not all causes are preventable, you can lower the risk with these tips:

Regular Vet Visits: Annual check-ups catch problems early.
Parasite Prevention: Use heartworm and flea preventives as advised by your vet.
Clean Environment: Keep your home free of dust, mold, and smoke. Use low-dust, unscented litter.
Healthy Diet: Feed a balanced diet to support overall health and reduce hairballs.
Stress Management: Keep routines consistent to avoid stress, which can worsen asthma.
Weight Control: A healthy weight reduces strain on the heart and lungs.
No Smoke: Avoid smoking around your cat, as secondhand smoke irritates airways WebMD.

At home, you can wipe nasal discharge with a damp cloth or use a steamy bathroom for congestion if your vet suggests it. Cough suppressants are rarely used in cats, so don’t try them without guidance Maddie’s Fund.

Conclusion

Coughing in cats can range from harmless hairballs to serious conditions like asthma or cancer. By understanding the causes, you can better care for your cat and know when to seek help. Pay attention to your cat’s symptoms, keep their environment clean, and don’t hesitate to call your vet if something seems off. Your furry friend depends on you to keep them healthy, and with the right care, they can live a long, happy life.

If you’re worried about your cat’s coughing, jot down details like how often it happens and any other symptoms. This will help your vet get to the bottom of it. Here’s to happy, healthy cats!

FAQs

Is coughing normal in cats?
An occasional cough might be fine, especially if it’s hairball-related. But frequent or severe coughing needs a vet check.
Can hairballs cause coughing?
Hairballs cause retching, not true coughing, but the sounds are similar. Grooming and hairball remedies can help.
How do I know if my cat has asthma?
Look for coughing, wheezing, or open-mouth breathing. A vet can confirm with tests like X-rays.
What if my cat coughs at night?
Nighttime coughing might mean asthma or another respiratory issue. Monitor it and talk to your vet.
Can I give my cat cough medicine?
No, human cough medicines are toxic to cats. Only use medications prescribed by your vet.