Cat Coughing: What It Means and When to Worry

If your cat is coughing, it could be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from hairballs to respiratory issues, but persistent coughing should always be checked by a vet to ensure your cat’s health isn’t at risk.

Why Do Cats Cough?

• Hairballs: One of the most common reasons cats cough is to expel hairballs. As cats groom themselves, they ingest hair, which can accumulate in their stomachs. Coughing helps them bring up these hairballs.

• Respiratory Infections: Coughing in cats can also indicate respiratory infections, such as feline viral rhinotracheitis or feline calicivirus. These infections often come with other symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and fever.

• Asthma: Feline asthma is another potential cause of coughing. This chronic condition can cause wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. If your cat is frequently coughing and struggling to breathe, it’s essential to seek veterinary care.

• Allergies: Cats can develop allergies to various environmental factors, such as dust, pollen, or smoke. Allergic reactions can lead to coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes. Identifying and removing the allergen from the environment can help alleviate these symptoms.

To understand more about respiratory issues in cats, you can check out our guide about can cats get colds and why cats throwing up indigested food.

When to See a Vet

If your cat experiences persistent coughing that lasts more than a day or two or occurs frequently, it’s important to consult a veterinarian, as it could indicate a more serious condition such as heart disease or lung infections.

Additionally, if the coughing is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, or labored breathing, seek immediate veterinary care, as these signs may point to a severe respiratory issue.

Coughing up blood is particularly alarming and requires urgent attention, as it could suggest a critical problem like lung cancer, trauma, or a serious infection.

For more detailed information on cat health and respiratory issues, visit PetMD or Wikipedia’s entry on feline respiratory disease.

How to Help Your Cat

To help your cat, maintain a clean environment by regularly reducing dust and allergens, especially if your cat is prone to allergies or asthma.

Ensure they have regular veterinary check-ups, including vaccinations and preventive care, to protect against respiratory infections.

Additionally, provide a balanced diet to support their overall health and strengthen their immune system, reducing the risk of infections.

For more information on proper feline nutrition, you can refer to our article on essential nutrients for cats.

Conclusion

Coughing in cats is not something to ignore, especially if it’s persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.

While hairballs are a common cause, other serious issues like respiratory infections, asthma, and even heart disease could be the culprit.

Always consult with your veterinarian if your cat is coughing frequently to ensure they receive the appropriate care.

FAQs

It is true that even indoor cats can suffer from a respiratory infection, especially when they are in contact with other animals or allergens.

Have them visit vet regularly to avoid this and obviously keep the place clean.

If your cat is coughing but otherwise appears healthy, keep a close eye on them.

In case the cough will not respond, or worsen discipline a vet.

Do not give your cat any over-the-counter cough medicines unless they have been prescribed by a veterinarian, as many human medications are toxic to cats and can actually make their condition worse.