Welcome to Tuesday’s Cats.com Newsletter.
In this Tuesday’s newsletter, we’ll discuss the common causes of coughing in cats. You’ll even learn how to tell if your cat’s coughing is a result of hairballs or if they’re coming down with a respiratory infection. |
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Sick Or Just Starving For Attention?
Since switching my cats to freeze-dried food, issues with hairballs have been few and far between. But every once in a while, Munchkin will do that hunched-over coughing routine that makes every cat owner run for the cleaning spray.
When she was little, Munchkin (and her sister Bagel) struggled with chronic respiratory issues. She has a permanently stuffy nose and tends to snore a little now, but she’s otherwise healthy. I’m not quite sure what the occasional coughing is about, but the vet isn’t concerned.
That’s the thing with cats, isn’t it? Their behavior is often shrouded in mystery. Maybe they’re sick. Maybe they’re not. Maybe they just like the attention.
Today, we’ll delve deeper into the subject of coughing in cats to figure out what causes it and when you should worry. |
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Common Causes Of Coughing.
Coughing is a common behavior for humans (I should know—I heard plenty of it on a recent 8-hour flight to London) but less so for cats. And the sound most cat owners associate with the term coughing isn’t actually a cough.
When a cat “coughs up” a hairball, they’re actually vomiting, not coughing. They’re expelling collected hair from their digestive tract. That said, the process sometimes involves a bit of gagging and hacking that sounds like coughing.
- Allergies or asthma
- Respiratory tract infections
- Inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis)
- Diseases like bordetella
In rare cases, coughing can be a symptom of heart disease, heartworm, or even lungworms in cats. Lung cancer may cause coughing as well, though many cats with lung cancer are asymptomatic. |
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How To Help Your Cat.
Occasional coughing may be nothing to worry about. If it becomes a lasting issue, however, it’s wise to get your veterinarian’s opinion. First, however, gather some information.
When your cat starts coughing, pay attention to the following:
- Anything that happens directly before or after the coughing
- How often the coughing occurs
- How long the coughing lasts
- What the cough sounds like (wet versus dry or hacking)
The more information you can give your vet, the better they’ll be able to determine what diagnostics may be required to identify the problem. Some issues may require treatment while others might go away on their own. For hairballs, it may help to groom your cat weekly with a slicker brush to remove loose hair from their coat. If your cat has seasonal allergies or asthma, consider investing in an air purifier to control airborne allergens and irritants. |
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The bottom line is that coughing should never be ignored. It might be nothing to worry about but, in some cases, treatment may be required to keep your cat healthy and feeling well.
Want to learn more? Check out this informative video on the Cats.com YouTube channel. |
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Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support! |
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A sneak peek at Friday's Newsletter.
The last thing you want is for your cat to go hungry, but making food freely available could negatively affect your cat’s health. In Friday’s newsletter, we’ll talk about the downside of free feeding and what you should do instead. |
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Meet The Author.
Kate is a pet food nutrition specialist and writer who has been part of the Cats.com family for over three years. She is the doting owner of three cats - Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit - and often shares stories about them in weekly mailers like this one! |
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Meet The Author.
Kate is a pet food nutrition specialist and writer who has been part of the Cats.com family for over three years. She is the doting owner of three cats - Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit - and often shares stories about them in weekly mailers like this one! |
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