Cat Coughing: Decoding the Reasons Behind It

A cat's cough can be a cause for concern for any pet owner. It may be a sign of a minor issue or could indicate a more serious underlying condition. Understanding the possible reasons for your cat's coughing is the first step in ensuring its well - being.

Why Is My Cat Coughing?

I. Respiratory Infections

• Viral infection

Feline nasal branch (caused by feline herpesvirus) may be accompanied by sneezing, runny nose, and tearing in addition to coughing.
Feline cup virus infections may also cause respiratory symptoms, including coughing.

Also Read：Runny Nose in Cats

• Bacterial infections

A Bordetella infection, for example, can cause symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath in cats. Bacterial infections can be caused by unhygienic conditions in which the cat lives or exposure to diseased animals, for example.

II. Parasitic infections

• Heartworm

After the cat is infected with heartworm, the adult worms may parasitize in the blood vessels of the lungs, leading to inflammation of the lungs and causing coughing. This is more likely to happen in areas with more mosquitoes, as mosquitoes are the vectors of heartworm.

• Lung Nematodes

Lung nematodes parasitize the lungs of cats and can irritate the lung tissue, leading to symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Cats may become infected by ingesting intermediate hosts containing lung nematode larvae (e.g. snails, slugs, etc.).

III. Allergic Reactions

• Environmental factors

Allergic to dust, pollen, smoke, etc. When cats come into contact with these allergens, the respiratory tract will produce an allergic reaction, which will manifest itself in symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. For example, if there is a new brand of cat litter in the house, the dust from the litter may cause the cat to have an allergic cough.

• Food Allergies

Certain cats may be allergic to specific food components, such as certain proteins in chicken, beef and fish, and the allergic reaction may manifest itself as coughing, itchy skin, vomiting, etc.

IV. Other Causes

• Foreign body inhalation

Cats may accidentally inhale foreign objects such as hair and small toy fragments when playing, which will irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and cause coughing after entering the respiratory tract.

• Hairballs

Cats groom themselves frequently, and as a result, they ingest a lot of hair. When this hair accumulates in the stomach and forms a hairball, it can sometimes cause irritation in the esophagus or throat as the cat tries to expel it. This can lead to coughing. Usually, you may also notice your cat hacking or gagging as it tries to bring up the hairball.

• Heart disease

Cats with heart disease may suffer from heart insufficiency, which may lead to bruising in the lungs, thus causing coughing. This cough may usually worsen after the cat exercises or when resting at night.
If your cat's cough persists unabated or is accompanied by other serious symptoms such as fever, difficulty in breathing and depression, it is advisable to take it to the veterinarian promptly for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Relieve Cat Cough?

I. Determine the cause of the disease

1. Observe the symptoms

Carefully observe whether the cat has other symptoms besides coughing. For example, if it is accompanied by sneezing and runny nose, it may be a respiratory infection; if it is accompanied by vomiting and dry heaving, hairball problems are more likely; if it is accompanied by shortness of breath and depression, it may be a more serious condition such as heart disease or lung disease.

2. Medical examination

Promptly take your cat to the veterinarian for examinations, such as blood tests and X-rays, to accurately determine the cause of the disease. This is the key to taking correct treatment measures.

II. Relief methods for different causes of the disease

1. Cough caused by hairballs

• Hair care

Increase the frequency of grooming, use a comb suitable for cats, such as a pin comb, and comb the cat's hair every day to reduce the amount of hair ingested when the cat licks the hair.

• Hair melting products

Feeding hair-reducing creams: Hair-reducing creams can lubricate the cat's intestinal tract and help the hair to pass out of the body smoothly. Follow the product instructions to feed the appropriate amount, usually 1 - 2 cm per day for small cats, 2 - 3 cm for medium-sized cats and 3 - 4 cm for large cats.
Cat Grass: You can grow cat grass (e.g. wheat grass) for your cat. Cat grass can stimulate the cat's intestinal peristalsis and encourage the elimination of hairballs. However, some cats and kittens may not like to eat cat grass and need to try different kinds or planting methods.

Related：Why Do Cats Eat Grass

2. Cough caused by respiratory infection

• Follow your veterinarian's treatment plan

If it is a viral infection, antiviral medication may be needed; if it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be required. Strictly follow the dosage and regimen prescribed by your veterinarian for your cat and do not stop or change the dosage on your own.

• Improve the environment

Keep the indoor air fresh and avoid exposing your cat to smoke, dust and irritating odors. An air purifier can be used to keep the indoor temperature and humidity in the appropriate range (temperature 20 - 25°C, humidity 40% - 60%).
Provide a warm, quiet and comfortable resting place for your cat to avoid it being affected by cold or overwork.

3. Allergy-induced cough

• Find out the allergens and avoid contact

If food allergy is suspected, try to change the cat food and choose hypoallergenic formula. Common allergy-prone ingredients such as beef, fish and wheat can be gradually eliminated.
If it is an environmental allergy, such as pollen, dust mites, etc., keep the house clean, clean the cat's living area frequently, use mite removal products, and reduce the time the cat spends outside during the pollen season or put protective clothing on the cat.

• Medication (as recommended by your veterinarian)

Anti-allergic drugs such as antihistamines may be required, but they must be used under the guidance of the veterinarian, as the dosage and application of different drugs have different requirements for cats and kittens.

4. Coughing caused by heart disease or other serious diseases

• Cooperate with the veterinarian for professional treatment

For heart disease, long-term medication may be required to control the condition, such as cardiac drugs and diuretics. Strictly follow your veterinarian's requirements for drug administration, including the time, dosage and frequency of administration. In the case of other serious diseases, such as lung disease, hospitalization or special care, such as oxygen intake, may be required.

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Provide your cat with high-quality, easily digestible food to meet its nutritional needs during illness. For example, some prescription food designed for sick animals can be used according to the recommendation of the veterinarian.

How to Properly Feed Water to a Cat with a Cough?

The correct way to drink water when your cat is coughing can help relieve the symptoms of coughing. Here are some suggestions.

• Provide warm water

Giving your cat warm water can ease the discomfort in the throat and reduce coughing symptoms.

• Control the amount of water consumed

To avoid cats drinking too much water too quickly, you can choose to let them drink from a slower-flowing water source or divide the water into several times for them to drink.

• Use appropriate drinking utensils

Prepare safe and easy-to-clean drinking utensils for cats, such as water dispensers directly connected to the tap, water dispensers with filtration function or water bowls.

• Avoid choking

Place the water dispenser in a position where it is easy for the cat to drink, and let the cat drink slowly, avoiding drinking too much at once.

• Pat the back

If your cat coughs after drinking water, you can pat its back to help it expel the water.

• Provide thicker food

You can let your cat drink some thicker food, such as paste food, etc. At the same time, avoid feeding your cat too hard food, such as bones, to avoid choking.

It should be noted that if the cat's coughing symptoms last too long or are accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, loss of appetite, etc., you need to take them to the veterinarian in time.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

1. Frequency and Severity of Coughing
   • If your cat coughs frequently (more than a few times a day) or if the cough is severe, it's important to take it to the vet. A persistent cough could be a sign of a serious underlying condition that requires treatment.
2. Associated Symptoms
   • If the coughing is accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting, it's a red flag. These additional symptoms can indicate a more complex problem that needs immediate attention.
3. Changes in Behavior
   • If your cat seems less active, more withdrawn, or is hiding more often due to the coughing, it's a sign that the cough is affecting its quality of life and veterinary evaluation is necessary.

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Conclusion

Caring for a coughing cat requires vigilance. By being aware of the possible causes of coughing and knowing when to seek veterinary help, you can ensure that your feline friend stays healthy. If in doubt, it's always better to consult a veterinarian to accurately diagnose and treat any issues related to your cat's cough.