It can be concerning when you hear your cat cough. Just like humans, cats cough as a natural reflex to clear their airways of irritants and foreign material. A cough here and there might not be alarming, but persistent or severe coughing in cats warrants attention.
Coughing in cats occurs when “coughing receptors” are stimulated. These receptors are located in your cat’s pharynx (back of the nose and mouth), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and smaller airways (bronchi). When something irritates these areas, your cat’s body initiates a cough to expel the irritant.
While an occasional cough is usually not a cause for concern in a healthy cat, it’s crucial to monitor the frequency and severity of the cough, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms.
If your cat develops a persistent or harsh cough, scheduling a visit with your veterinarian is essential. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to ensuring a swift recovery and preventing potential complications.
Let’s explore the common reasons behind cat coughing and what you can do to help your feline friend.
Unpacking the Reasons Behind Your Cat’s Cough
The potential causes of coughing in cats are numerous, ranging from simple irritants to more serious underlying health conditions. Sometimes, the trigger is quite obvious.
Have you recently switched to a dustier cat litter? You might notice your cat coughing while using the litter box. Inhaled irritants, regardless of their nature, can trigger coughing fits.
Chronic exposure to irritants like secondhand smoke can also lead to persistent coughing in cats.
Here are some of the more frequent culprits behind cat coughs:
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Respiratory Infections: Bacterial and viral respiratory infections are leading causes of coughing in cats. In some instances, fungal or parasitic organisms can also be responsible.
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Asthma: Feline asthma is a common condition characterized by airway narrowing, inflammation, and mucus buildup in the airways. These factors can all contribute to coughing. Asthma in cats is often triggered by allergens and irritants in their environment.
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Pleural Effusion: Pleural effusion, the abnormal accumulation of fluid around the lungs, can also induce coughing in cats. This fluid buildup can put pressure on the lungs and respiratory system, leading to a cough.
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Inhaled Foreign Objects: Cats are curious creatures, and sometimes they may inhale foreign materials like pieces of food, grass, or small objects. When this happens, the body’s natural response is to cough in an attempt to expel these foreign bodies.
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Cancer: In some unfortunate cases, coughing can be an early warning sign of cancer affecting the respiratory tract. Tumors in the lungs or airways can irritate the respiratory system and cause a persistent cough.
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Trauma: Physical injuries, chemical exposure, or thermal burns to the respiratory tract can all result in coughing. Damage to the delicate tissues of the airways can trigger inflammation and coughing.
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Heartworms: While less common than in dogs, heartworms in cats can also cause coughing. The signs of heartworm infection in cats can be subtle, but coughing is one potential symptom.
It’s important to note that while heart disease is a frequent cause of coughing in humans and dogs, it is rarely the cause of coughing in cats. When a cat coughs, it is almost always related to a respiratory condition.
Can Cats Catch Kennel Cough from Dogs?
Kennel cough is a common respiratory infection in dogs, caused by various bacteria and viruses. Pathogens like Bordetella bronchiseptica, mycoplasma, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus type 2, and canine coronavirus, either individually or in combination, can be responsible. Bordetella bronchiseptica is one of the more common culprits.
Cats are indeed susceptible to some of these pathogens, such as Bordetella, but not all of them. To prevent potential spread, it’s crucial to isolate any pet exhibiting symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or discharge from the eyes or nose from other animals. A veterinary examination is necessary to diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment and preventative measures.
Understanding Wet Cough vs. Dry Cough in Cats
Veterinarians use a comprehensive approach to diagnose the underlying cause of coughing in cats, including a thorough medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests. As a pet owner, you can provide valuable information by observing your cat’s cough at home, particularly noting whether it’s a wet or dry cough.
A “wet cough” is characterized by the production of phlegm. Phlegm is a thick mucus produced in the respiratory tract, often in response to infection. The increased production of phlegm is a natural defense mechanism, helping the body to expel viruses, bacteria, inflammatory cells, and other debris from the lungs and airways. You might hear a moist or productive sound with a wet cough.
Conversely, a “dry cough” is characterized by a lack of phlegm production. In cats, dry coughs are often associated with conditions like asthma, inhaled foreign bodies, and cancer. These conditions typically cause irritation or inflammation without significant mucus production. A dry cough in cats often sounds harsh or hacking.
While the distinction between wet and dry coughs is not always definitive, it can provide valuable clues to help guide your veterinarian towards a potential diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Cat Coughing Accompanied by Other Symptoms
Coughing in cats rarely occurs in isolation. It’s often accompanied by other symptoms, which can provide further insights into the underlying cause.
Coughing and Sneezing in Cats
When coughing is combined with sneezing, it often points towards an upper respiratory infection (URI) in cats. Infections of the nasal passages cause sneezing and nasal discharge. Some of this discharge can drain down the back of the throat, triggering a cough.
Coughing and Wheezing in Cats
Wheezing is a hallmark sign of feline asthma. When a cat experiences asthma, you might observe wheezing alongside coughing and labored, rapid, or open-mouth breathing. Wheezing is a whistling sound that occurs when air is forced through narrowed airways.
Cat “Coughing” Up Hairballs
It’s important to differentiate a true cough from the sound a cat makes when trying to expel a hairball. While it might sound like coughing, the cat is actually retching or gagging. Hairballs originate in the digestive tract, not the respiratory tract. The sound is related to the cat attempting to vomit the hairball, not cough it up from the lungs.
What to Do If Your Cat Coughs Up Blood
While an occasional cough in an otherwise healthy cat is usually not alarming, coughing up blood is a serious symptom that requires immediate veterinary attention. If your cat is coughing up blood, contact your veterinarian right away or seek emergency veterinary care.
Several serious conditions can cause a cat to cough up blood (hemoptysis), including:
- Trauma to the respiratory system
- Cancers that erode into blood vessels in the lungs or airways
- Severe respiratory infections
- Exposure to toxins or poisons that interfere with normal blood clotting
Coughing up blood is always an emergency and should never be ignored.
Treatment Options for Cat Coughing
Treating a cat’s cough effectively requires addressing the underlying cause. Treatment strategies will vary depending on the diagnosis:
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Irritants: If the cough is triggered by inhaled irritants, the solution is often straightforward: remove the irritants from the cat’s environment. This might involve switching to a low-dust litter, eliminating secondhand smoke, or reducing airborne allergens.
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Respiratory Infections: Most bacterial, fungal, and parasitic respiratory infections, when diagnosed early, can be effectively treated with appropriate antimicrobial medications. Antiviral medications are less commonly used but may be necessary in certain viral infections.
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Asthma: Managing feline asthma involves a multi-faceted approach. This includes minimizing exposure to potential triggers in the cat’s environment and administering medications to dilate the airways and reduce inflammation. These medications can be inhaled corticosteroids or systemic medications, depending on the severity of the asthma.
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Pleural Effusion: Fluid buildup around the lungs can be drained by a veterinarian using a needle and syringe (thoracocentesis). However, further treatment is often needed to address the underlying cause of the fluid accumulation and prevent it from recurring.
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Inhaled Foreign Objects: Removing inhaled foreign objects may require bronchoscopy (using a small camera and instruments inserted into the airways) or surgery in some cases. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to prevent or treat secondary infections that can develop after foreign body removal.
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Cancer: Treatment for respiratory tract cancers is complex and may involve a combination of therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and palliative care to improve the cat’s quality of life.
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Trauma: The approach to treating coughs caused by trauma depends on the nature and severity of the injury. Some injuries may heal with supportive medical care, while others may necessitate surgical intervention.
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Heartworm Disease: Prevention is paramount when it comes to heartworm disease in cats, as treatment options are limited once a cat is infected. If heartworm infection is diagnosed, veterinary management focuses on supportive care.
In addition to treating the underlying cause, coughing cats can also benefit from symptomatic and supportive care. This might include fluid therapy to maintain hydration and oxygen therapy in cases of respiratory distress.
At home, you can provide supportive care by gently wiping away nasal discharge to help your cat breathe more comfortably. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend loosening congestion by placing your cat in a steamy bathroom for short periods. However, always consult with your vet before using home remedies. Cough suppressants are generally not recommended for cats unless specifically advised by your veterinarian, as coughing is a necessary reflex to clear the airways.
