Why Is My Cat Coughing? Detailed Guide 2024

Cats are highly remarkable creatures, combining grace, agility, and curiosity. However, they, like us, may encounter health issues. Cat Coughing is a unique behaviour that tends to grab cat owners’ heartstrings.

While the odd cough may be ignored as a fleeting phenomenon, persistent or recurring cat coughing warrants our attention. In this post, we will go on a trip to understand the various causes of a cat’s cough, ranging from common causes to potentially serious conditions that require the knowledge of a veterinarian.

Common Causes of Cat Coughing

Cat Coughing
Source: The Dodo

Hairballs

Hairballs are a typical cause of coughing fits in cats. Our feline pals are precise regarding grooming, and their grooming sessions often involve loose fur. This hair gets into their intestines and forms those dreaded hairballs. When you see your pet coughing, it’s typically their way of trying to dislodge and eject these troublesome hairballs, giving them some respite from the discomfort.

Allergies

Cats can also be prone to allergies. It’s surprising how similar our furry friends are to us in this regard. Allergic reactions to things like pollen, pesky dust mites, specific foods, or even certain cleaning products can set off coughing spells in cats. You can think of it as their body’s way of getting rid of those irritants that are messing with their respiratory system.

Respiratory Infections

Colds and Viruses

Just as humans catch colds, our feline companions can come down with their version of a sniffly situation. Cats can get hit by upper respiratory infections caused by tricky viruses like feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. These sneaky infections bring some familiar symptoms: coughing, sneezing, and that lovely nasal discharge. And here’s the kicker: these infections can spread like wildfire in places where many cats hang out together, like multi-cat households or shelters. It’s like a cat version of a common cold but a tad more serious.

Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis can also affect cats, which may surprise you. Do you know that some people can catch it just by being around smoke or other unpleasant substances? However, cats are also affected. Due to irritants like cigarette smoke or other pollutants, their bronchial airways may become inflamed. My close friend, it causes that unpleasant, relentless cough.

Asthma

Cats, like humans, can suffer from asthma. It’s odd, yet true. Cats can get “cough-variant asthma.” Instead of the typical wheeze associated with asthma, coughing is the predominant event in cats. It’s their way of alerting us to the fact that something is wrong. When exposed to allergens or stressful situations, cough-variant asthma might develop. These things wreak havoc on their airways, narrowing them and creating major breathing problems.

Heart Conditions

Cats can get heartworms, and it’s all because of those pesky mosquitoes. You know how mosquitoes can be real troublemakers, right? They carry these tiny heartworm parasites, and when they bite cats, they pass them along. And guess what? These little troublemakers can cause all sorts of problems for our feline pals. When these heartworms invade, they mess with their hearts and lungs. When you hear your cat coughing, it could very well be a sign that these heartworms are causing severe issues in their respiratory system.

Serious Conditions Requiring Veterinary Attention

Lung Infections

Coughing that does not go away might be brought on by bacterial or fungal lung diseases. Immediate veterinarian intervention is required to diagnose and treat these illnesses promptly, which will help prevent further consequences.

Heart Disease

In cats, heart illness could be the underlying cause of persistent coughing. Cat Coughing does not go away, and significant health hazards can be caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can be caused by conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Managing and Reducing Cat Coughing: Tips for Pet Owners

Hairball Management

Participating in routine grooming sessions with your cat can help reduce the amount of hairballs they produce and the Cat coughing accompanying them. By removing loose fur using a brush, you can cut down on the amount of hair your cat consumes while grooming itself.

Include in your cat’s diet a food that has a high percentage of fibre. It can facilitate the movement of hair through the digestive system, hence reducing the possibility of the production of hairballs.

Addressing Allergies

If allergies are the source of your cat’s coughing, you should investigate the possibility that allergens are present in your home environment. It could include allergens like pollen, dust, meals, or cleaning products.

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Take precautions to reduce your contact with allergies. Maintain a clean and allergen-free living environment for your cat by regularly cleaning your home, selecting and using hypoallergenic products, and giving your cat a clean litter box.

Respiratory Infection Prevention

Make sure that your cat gets routine immunizations to prevent it from various respiratory illnesses that are frequent. It is essential in homes where there are multiple cats.

Maintaining proper cleanliness and isolating sick cats are two of the most effective ways to stop the spread of disease. To limit the likelihood of contamination, litter boxes, bedding, and food bowls should be cleaned regularly.

Managing Asthma

If cough-variant asthma is to blame, the focus should be reducing environmental triggers as much as possible. Use air purifiers, steer clear of smoking indoors, and ensure the atmosphere is tidy and dust-free.

Create a treatment strategy for your cat’s asthma in collaboration with your vet by working closely together. It may require taking prescribed drugs and going in for checkups at regular intervals.

Heart Disease Management

Here’s the deal when dealing with coughs related to heart issues. They’ll likely prescribe some meds to help out. These meds are like superheroes that swoop in to manage fluid buildup and ease those pesky symptoms. It’s like having a trusted guide leading you through heart-related coughs. Stick to their plan, and you’ll be helping your feline friend feel loads better in no time.

Promoting General Respiratory Health

Make sure there is always a clean source of fresh water available to your cat. Maintaining healthy mucous membranes in the respiratory tract requires adequate hydration.

Offer your cat a diet that is both nutritionally complete and nutritionally balanced to assist its overall health. Make an appointment with your cat’s veterinarian to get food advice tailored to your cat’s requirements.

To preserve your cat’s lung function and overall fitness, make sure it gets enough frequent exercise. Participate in interactive game sessions with them to maintain their level of activity and interest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cat coughing can be distressing, but with understanding and proactive steps, Cat coughing bouts can be managed and reduced in frequency. We can ensure the well-being and comfort of our beloved feline pets by addressing specific triggers, implementing preventive measures, and encouraging general respiratory health. Regular veterinarian treatment, a healthy lifestyle, and a nurturing environment are all vital components of keeping your cat cough-free and satisfied.

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