Cat coughing is not something most pet owners expect to hear, and for good reason. Unlike dogs, cats rarely cough as a routine part of their daily behavior. When a cat coughs, it’s often a signal that something is going on in the respiratory tract or beyond. Understanding what causes cat coughing, how to describe it to your veterinarian, and when to seek care can make a real difference in your cat’s outcome.
Is It Normal for Cats to Cough?
Occasional coughing in cats can be normal. A single cough to clear a hairball or brief throat irritation is nothing to worry about on its own. But persistent cat coughing, coughing that occurs multiple times a day, or coughing that produces mucus, blood, or distress is not normal and deserves veterinary evaluation.
One of the challenges with feline coughing is that it can be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory behaviors, including retching, reverse sneezing, or attempts to bring up a hairball. If you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is a cough, a video on your phone taken at home can be enormously helpful for your veterinarian at Loveland Regional Animal Hospital.
What Does a Cat Cough Look Like?
A coughing cat typically crouches low to the ground, extends the neck forward, and opens the mouth while making a repetitive, forceful exhalation. The sound may be dry and hacking, wet and productive, or wheezy depending on the underlying cause. After the coughing episode, most cats return to normal quickly, though some may appear mildly lethargic or breathe a little faster for a few minutes afterward.
It’s worth noting that cats rarely cough up mucus the way humans do. Material that comes up during a coughing episode is more likely to be swallowed than expelled. If your cat coughs and produces something, bring a sample (if possible) or a photo to their veterinary appointment.
Possible Causes of Cat Coughing
There are many possible causes of coughing in cats, ranging from mildly irritating to life-threatening. Identifying the correct cause requires a veterinary examination and often additional diagnostics. Here are some of the most common reasons cats cough:
Feline Asthma
Feline asthma is one of the most common causes of chronic cat coughing. It’s an inflammatory airway condition triggered by allergens or irritants that cause the bronchi (airway passages) to constrict. Cats with asthma may cough repeatedly, wheeze, or have episodes of labored breathing. Feline asthma is manageable with veterinary treatment, but it requires an accurate diagnosis to distinguish from other respiratory conditions.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Viral and bacterial upper respiratory infections including feline herpesvirus and calicivirus frequently cause cat coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. These infections are especially common in multi-cat households and cats that were adopted from shelters. While many upper respiratory infections in cats resolve with supportive care, bacterial secondary infections may require antibiotic treatment.
Lungworm and Parasites
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (the feline lungworm) is a parasitic infection acquired through the ingestion of infected prey animals such as mice, birds, or snails. Lungworm infection can cause coughing in cats, wheezing, and in severe cases respiratory distress. Outdoor cats or cats with hunting access have higher exposure risk. Diagnosis requires fecal analysis or bronchoalveolar lavage.
Pleural Effusion
Fluid accumulation in the space around the lungs, known as pleural effusion, is a serious cause of respiratory distress and coughing in cats. It can result from heart disease, cancer, infection, or trauma. Cats with pleural effusion often breathe with their elbows turned outward, have rapid shallow breathing, and may sit hunched with an open mouth. This is a veterinary emergency.
Cardiac Disease
Heart disease, particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is common in cats, can cause fluid to back up into the lungs, resulting in a condition called pulmonary edema. Cats with cardiac-related coughing may also show reduced activity, rapid breathing at rest, decreased appetite, or sudden hindlimb weakness. Cardiac coughing in cats requires urgent evaluation and treatment.
Hairballs
Hairball-associated retching is frequently mistaken for cat coughing. The process looks similar: crouching, neck extension, abdominal effort, but the goal is to expel a hairball rather than clear the airway. True hairball activity is typically brief and resolves with expulsion of the hairball or a small amount of bile. If your cat’s coughing or retching is not productive and occurs frequently, a veterinary exam is warranted.
When Should You Take Your Coughing Cat to the Vet?
Any cat coughing that persists for more than a few days, occurs repeatedly throughout the day, or is accompanied by other symptoms should prompt a veterinary visit. Schedule an appointment at Loveland Regional Animal Hospital right away if your cat is:
- Coughing more than once or twice a day
- Coughing and also breathing rapidly, with an open mouth, or with obvious effort
- Showing a sudden change in breathing pattern, especially at rest
- Lethargic, not eating, or losing weight alongside coughing
- Producing blood, yellow or green mucus, or unusual material when coughing
- A senior cat or a cat with a known underlying health condition
Cats that are breathing with their mouths open, appear distressed, or have blue-tinged gums need emergency veterinary care immediately.
How Do Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause of Cat Coughing?
Diagnosing the cause of cat coughing begins with a thorough physical examination, including auscultation of the heart and lungs, and a detailed history of the cough’s duration, frequency, and any other symptoms. Based on the initial findings, your veterinarian may recommend:
- Chest X-rays (thoracic radiographs) to evaluate lung fields, heart size, and pleural space
- Complete blood count and blood chemistry panel to assess systemic health
- Fecal testing to rule out parasitic infection
- Bronchoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to examine the airways and collect samples
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) if cardiac disease is suspected
Our veterinary team at Loveland Regional Animal Hospital in Loveland, OH is experienced in evaluating feline respiratory conditions and will build a diagnostic plan tailored to your cat’s specific presentation and history.
What Treatment Options Exist for Coughing Cats?
Treatment for cat coughing depends entirely on the underlying cause. Feline asthma is typically managed with inhaled or systemic corticosteroids and, in some cases, bronchodilators. Upper respiratory infections may resolve with supportive care or require antibiotics. Lungworm is treated with antiparasitic medications. Cardiac disease requires a specialized treatment plan to manage fluid accumulation and support heart function.
Early diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes across all of these conditions. The longer a respiratory issue goes untreated in a cat, the greater the potential for permanent airway damage, secondary infections, or dangerous deterioration.
A Cough Worth Taking Seriously
Cat coughing may be easy to dismiss as a hairball moment, but it’s worth looking closer. Whether it’s feline asthma, an infection, or something more systemic, the causes of coughing in cats are rarely trivial, and most are very treatable when caught early.
If your cat is coughing or you’ve noticed any changes in their breathing, call Loveland Regional Animal Hospital in Loveland, OH at (513) 697-9796 or book an appointment online. Our team is dedicated to helping your cat breathe freely and live comfortably for as long as possible.
