Cat Coughing: Why It Happens and When To Call Your Vet

Cats cough to expel an irritant in their airways or because of inflammation or underlying disease. Various causes can contribute to cat coughing, including infections, allergies, or foreign objects.  

When your cat has a cough, schedule a veterinary appointment to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment plan.  

Some causes of coughing can be emergency situations, while others may require long-term management for relief. 

For example, cat coughs can range from dry and hacking to wet or wheezy. Pet parents may have trouble telling the difference between a cough and reverse sneezing or vomiting.  

Reverse sneezing is a repetitive noise that sounds like a snort, during which a cat’s lips generally flare out.  

When cats vomit, their abdomen is involved, and there is a propulsive motion from the neck to the mouth.  

Similarly, retching or gagging typically involves the neck, with the same type of movement but without vomiting.  

Cat coughing can be an emergency, especially if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, or decreased appetite. 

Additionally, if your cat coughs up blood, regardless of whether other symptoms are present, they should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.  

• Collapsing trachea. Although the condition is more common in dogs, cats can also be affected by an abnormally narrowed trachea (windpipe). This restricts air flow and causes a “goose honk” cough.  

• Bronchitis. This condition involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are the tiny airways that carry air within your cat’s lungs. This results in a dry, hacking cough.  

• Heartworm disease. Heartworm disease in cats can cause a dry, hacking cough as the parasite inflames the heart and lungs.  

• Allergies. Environmental allergens, such as pollen, can cause a cat’s airways to become inflamed and narrowed, triggering a dry cough.  

• Asthma. Some cats develop asthma, which results in chronic inflammation and narrowing of their airways. This causes a persistent, dry cough. 

• Tumors. While tumors are rare, cats can develop them in their airways, causing a cough. 

However, if your cat’s cough is accompanied by bluish gums, abnormal breathing, blood-tinged mucus, or lethargy, seek emergency veterinary care.  

Your veterinarian will start with a thorough physical exam, paying special attention to your cat’s heart and lungs.  

They may gently rub your cat’s trachea to elicit a cough to hear what it sounds like.  

If your cat is coughing, additional tests can be done to determine the underlying cause. These may include: 

• Chest X-rays. These can show inflammation within the lungs that may be contributing to a cough. Other airway and chest abnormalities can also be diagnosed, including tumors or collapsing trachea.  

• Blood work. A blood sample can be collected to check your cat’s overall health and for indications of infection or illnesses, including heartworm disease. 

• Intestinal parasite screening. A stool sample is tested for parasites like roundworms, which may migrate to the lungs and cause coughing.  

• Bronchoscopy. A veterinarian inserts a thin tube into the cat’s mouth while they are under sedation to look at the airways and lungs for abnormalities. During this test, a small amount of fluid can be flushed into the airways, removed, and then analyzed to look for indications of infection or inflammation.  

• Antibiotics. Oral antibiotics, such as Clavamox, may be prescribed for a bacterial infection. 

• Anti-inflammatories. Medications, such as prednisolone, may be used to reduce airway inflammation.  

• Bronchodilators. Albuterol treatments can be used to open the airway and improve breathing, especially for cats with asthma.  

• Surgery. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove a tumor or foreign object that contributes to a cat’s cough. 

• Anti-parasitic medications: Treatments like Revolution can help eliminate parasites that may cause coughing.