Why is my cat coughing so much and when should I worry?

As a veterinarian, one of the most common concerns I hear from loving pet parents is “Why is my cat coughing?” It’s truly unsettling when you witness your cherished feline companion struggling with what sounds like a cough or hack. Many of you mistakenly believe your cat is simply trying to dislodge a hairball, and while hairballs can certainly cause retching sounds, a true cough can indicate something far more significant happening in your cat’s body. Just as bad breath in your pets often signals underlying dental disease, a persistent cough serves as a clear signal that it’s time to investigate further.

It’s important to note that cats may cough occasionally, and this is not always a cause for concern unless the coughing becomes frequent or severe.

Let me help you demystify feline coughing by exploring what it sounds like, what it isn’t, and what it might mean for your furry friend. For example, if you notice your cat's purr turned into a cough, this sudden change can be alarming and may indicate an underlying health issue that requires attention.

First, it’s crucial that you distinguish between a true cough and other sounds your cat might make, as many pet owners often confuse them. Cats may start coughing suddenly in response to irritants or choking, and recognizing this early is important for prompt care. This distinction proves vital because different sounds point to different underlying problems that will require different treatment approaches.

Sometimes, cats cough when food or water goes down the wrong pipe, which can be mistaken for other issues.

A cough in your cat represents an active, forceful expulsion of air, often accompanied by a distinctive hacking sound. When cats cough, it is usually a sign that something is irritating their airways. It’s your cat’s body attempting to clear irritation or blockages from their airways, including the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchi (air tubes in the lungs). Coughing can also be a sign of issues affecting the kitty's lungs, not just the throat or airways. The sound typically originates from the larynx as air gets expelled through a narrowed glottis.

Retching or vomiting, on the other hand, is a passive process where content gets expelled from the esophagus or stomach. When cats swallow hair during grooming, it accumulates in the stomach and forms hairballs. This is a natural consequence of their grooming behavior. When your cat vomits, you’ll often notice it’s preceded by nausea, drooling, or repeated abdominal contractions, and they may bring up food, bile, or hairballs. Cats struggling to expel hairballs may make retching or gagging sounds, which can be mistaken for coughing. When cats swallow hair, it can lead to the formation of hairballs, which they then attempt to expel through coughing or gagging. Many cats will also make a retching sound after coughing, which further confuses pet owners.

The key lies in observing closely. Does your cat make a hacking sound with their body extended and head lowered, followed by nothing or just small amounts of phlegm? That’s likely a cough. Is it followed by your cat vomiting food, bile, or a hairball? That’s more likely retching. When you can accurately describe what you’re seeing, you’ll help your veterinarian tremendously.

A cough represents a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can be triggered by various health issues. Identifying the underlying cause of your cat's cough is essential for determining the proper treatment. Coughing is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or lethargy, which can help your veterinarian diagnose the problem. Diseases affecting the lower respiratory tract, such as inflammation or infection in the deep lung structures and airways, are common causes of coughing in cats. The respiratory tract includes the lungs, throat, and airways, and issues in any of these areas can lead to coughing. Here are the most common reasons why your cat might be coughing:

Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs): these are very common, particularly in younger cats, and are often called “cat flu.” Respiratory infection is a common cause of coughing in cats. Like human colds, URIs can cause your cat to experience coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, and a runny nose. Viral infections, as well as bacterial or viral infections, can lead to coughing and other respiratory symptoms. Fungal infections, though less common, can also cause coughing in cats. Sudden coughing fits may occur with respiratory infections. They’re typically viral (feline herpesvirus or calicivirus) and highly contagious. While many URIs resolve independently, persistent or severe coughs in your cat will require veterinary attention.

Feline Asthma (Allergic Bronchitis): this stands as one of the most frequent causes of chronic coughing in cats. This inflammatory condition affects your cat’s small airways, often triggered by environmental allergens like dust, pollen, or cigarette smoke. Identifying possible allergy triggers in your cat's environment is crucial, as allergy triggers such as dust, pollen, or smoke can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Managing these triggers by reducing your cat's exposure can help lessen symptoms, but may not make the underlying condition disappear. During asthma attacks, your cat’s airways narrow, causing coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulty. You’ll frequently describe this cough as sounding like your cat is trying to “hack up a hairball.” Siamese and Oriental cats appear more predisposed to developing asthma.

• Foreign bodies in airways: sometimes your cat might inhale small objects like grass blades or food pieces that become lodged in their airways. Food stuck in the throat or inhaled liquids can also cause sudden, severe, persistent coughing as your cat’s body tries to expel the foreign object or irritant. These situations are considered a veterinary emergency and require immediate emergency veterinary care to ensure your cat receives prompt treatment.

• Less common, serious causes: occasionally, coughing signals more serious conditions like lung tumors or chronic bronchitis in your cat. While heart failure in cats typically manifests as rapid breathing rather than primary coughing, it remains an important consideration, especially in your older cats.

Always err on the side of caution when your cat is coughing. While occasional, isolated coughs might not be major concerns, several signs warrant prompt veterinary attention:

• Persistent cough: If your cat’s cough persists for more than a few days or comes and goes regularly, seek veterinary attention. Chronic cough is defined as lasting at least 8 weeks.

• Severe cough: A severe cough should not be ignored, as it may indicate a serious health problem that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

• Breathing changes: Rapid breathing (over 40 breaths per minute while resting), increased breathing effort, or open-mouth breathing indicate severe respiratory distress and breathing problems requiring emergency care.

• Trouble breathing or difficulty breathing: If your cat is having trouble breathing or difficulty breathing, these are critical symptoms that require you to seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

• Coughing up blood: Blood mixed with coughing requires urgent investigation.

• Quality of life impact: If coughing interferes with eating, drinking, playing, grooming, or sleeping, it needs addressing.

• Other concerning symptoms: Lethargy, decreased appetite, unexplained weight loss, or behavior changes could be connected to the cough.

• Your gut feeling: You know your cat best. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts.

If your cat is experiencing breathing problems, a severe cough, or if the cough persists, seek emergency veterinary care without delay.

When you bring your coughing cat to the vet, you can expect a comprehensive approach designed to pinpoint causes and develop effective treatment. Seeking prompt veterinary care is essential, as only a veterinarian can determine the appropriate treatment for your cat's cough based on a thorough diagnosis.

Cat's cough treatment may involve medications such as cough suppressants, antibiotics, or steroids, but cough suppressants should only be prescribed by a veterinarian after identifying the underlying cause. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; always consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of your pet.

• Thorough history: your veterinarian will ask you detailed questions about the cough (onset, frequency, sound, triggers, relief factors) and your cat's overall health, diet, environment, travel history, and exposure to other animals. Your observations at home prove invaluable to us.

• Complete physical examination: your vet will perform a thorough examination, listening to your cat's heart and lungs, checking their mouth and throat, and feeling their neck and chest. Sometimes gently pressing on your cat's windpipe helps us determine where the cough originates.

Diagnostic tests: depending on our findings, your veterinarian may recommend:

• blood tests to identify infection, inflammation, or systemic diseases in your cat • fecal tests for parasites like lungworms

• chest X-rays to visualize your cat’s lungs, airways, and heart, identifying abnormalities like pneumonia, asthma, heart enlargement, or tumors

These diagnostic tests help assess the health of your cat's respiratory system and identify any underlying problems that may be causing symptoms.

In complex cases, we may suggest advanced imaging like ultrasound or CT scans, or specialized procedures like bronchoscopy for your cat.

Your cat’s cough signals that something isn’t right and demands attention and often veterinary expertise. While cats coughing can be concerning, most cats do not experience frequent or severe coughing unless there is an underlying health issue. By understanding the difference between coughs and other sounds, recognizing common causes, and knowing when to seek help, you play a crucial role in your cat’s health. Early diagnosis and intervention significantly improve outcomes for your cat, whether it’s a simple infection or complex chronic condition.

You serve as your cat’s most important advocate. Observe their behavior closely, communicate openly with your veterinary team, and never hesitate to reach out if you feel concerned. Together, we can ensure your feline companion breathes easy and lives their fullest, happiest life.