When your cat coughs, it breathes out forcefully, stretches its neck forward and makes a deep, resonant or slightly wheezing sound. A cough is not a disease in itself, but a symptom, and the causes vary widely: from completely harmless hairballs to respiratory infections, allergies, feline asthma and worms. A single cough is usually harmless, but if the cough returns or persists over several days, it should always be examined by a vet. Below we go through the most common reasons cats cough, so you can better read what is happening with your particular cat.
How to tell the difference between a cough and a hairball
The first thing many cat owners should clarify is whether the cat is actually coughing or about to bring up a hairball. The two things look similar, but the signals are different. With a genuine cough, the cat stretches its neck forward and makes forceful, dry exhalations, where the sound clearly comes from the chest. With a hairball, on the other hand, you typically see retching movements and vomiting, where the cat tries to bring something up through the mouth. Hairballs occur completely naturally because the cat licks its coat clean and swallows loose hairs that collect in the stomach. This is a common phenomenon, especially in long-haired cats, and usually requires no treatment.
You can prevent hairballs by brushing the cat regularly, and preferably daily during shedding periods, so loose hairs are removed before the cat swallows them. If the cat occasionally brings up a hairball, that is normal. If the vomiting becomes frequent, or the cat seems to have trouble bringing up the hairball, it is worth mentioning to the vet.
Respiratory infections and cat flu as a cause of coughing
One of the frequent explanations for a cat coughing is an infection in the respiratory tract. Both viruses and bacteria can irritate and inflame the mucous membranes in the throat and the lower airways, and this triggers coughing. With a viral infection, such as the one popularly called cat flu, you often see several symptoms at the same time, for example sneezing, a runny nose, red or watery eyes, reduced appetite and a cat that seems more lethargic than normal. Infections spread easily between cats, and especially cats that go outside and meet other cats are more exposed.
A cat with a respiratory infection that coughs persistently or seems run down belongs at the vet, who can assess whether treatment is needed. Some of the viruses behind cat flu can also be prevented through vaccination, so it is a good idea to keep your cat's vaccinations up to date.
Feline asthma and allergies in the airways
Feline asthma, also called asthmatic bronchitis, is one of the most common reasons for chronic coughing in cats. Here the cat's airways react to something in the surroundings that it cannot tolerate. The mucous membranes swell, the muscles in the airways contract, and more mucus is produced, making it harder for the cat to breathe. The cough is typically dry and resonant and can come in fits, sometimes accompanied by wheezing or whistling breathing. In the more pronounced cases, you see the cat having to use its abdominal muscles to get enough air.
Asthma and allergic bronchitis are often triggered by things in the indoor environment, such as dust, cigarette smoke, perfume, pollen or even dust from the cat litter. For exactly this reason, indoor cats in cities are often affected a little more frequently. If you choose to switch to a lower-dust cat litter, it can be a step in the right direction, and in our selection of cat litter you will find litter that is gentle to handle in everyday life. Feline asthma is a chronic condition that requires the vet's assessment and treatment, so if you suspect asthma, the cat should be examined.
When worms and parasites make the cat cough
Parasites are another possible explanation. Certain worms, including lungworms and the roundworms whose larvae migrate through the lungs, can irritate the airways and cause coughing. In addition to the cough, you sometimes see symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, lethargy or reduced appetite, and in some cats the worms are only discovered when they are seen in the faeces or in vomit. Young cats and kittens are generally more exposed to worms than adult cats, which often carry them without obvious signs.
Coughing caused by worms is treated with a worming course tailored to the specific parasite, and it is the vet who decides what is needed. Regular worming according to the vet's recommendation is the best way to keep parasites at bay, both in kittens and adult cats.
Rarer causes you should know about
In addition to the frequent explanations, there are causes that are seen more rarely but are worth knowing about. A foreign body, for example a blade of grass or a small object, can lodge in the throat or airways and trigger sudden, violent coughing. Heart conditions more often cause direct breathing difficulties than actual coughing in cats, but can in some cases also play a part. Finally, tumours in the chest cavity or lungs can lie behind a persistent cough. What these have in common is that they are not something you as an owner can assess or treat yourself - they require examination by the vet.
When you should take your cat to the vet
A single cough every once in a while is rarely cause for concern. But because coughing covers so many different causes - from harmless hairballs to asthma, infection and worms - recurring or long-lasting coughing should always be investigated more closely. The same applies if the cough is accompanied by wheezing breathing, shortness of breath, weight loss, reduced appetite, lethargy or fever. The prognosis is generally better the earlier you act, so do not wait to contact the vet simply because the cat otherwise seems unaffected. It is the vet who can make the correct diagnosis, among other things by listening to the lungs and possibly taking X-rays, and then adjust the treatment to the specific cause.
How to support your cat's wellbeing in everyday life
Coughing is not solved through the food bowl, and you should always seek a vet for a cat that coughs persistently. But a cat in good general wellbeing has better conditions for a strong immune system and well-functioning health, and here daily nutrition plays a central role. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, all our cat meals are composed of fresh raw materials and human-grade ingredients, so your cat gets a nutritious and tasty foundation to thrive on. In our selection of cat food you will find meals for the cat's different life stages and needs, and the the little lion range is created with the cat's natural preferences in mind.
A good indoor environment also counts when it comes to the cat's airways. Less dust, fresh air and smoke-free surroundings make a difference, especially for indoor cats. If you are unsure about what suits your particular cat's age, taste and nutritional profile, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready to advise on feeding and nutrition by phone, chat or email. And if you feel the slightest concern about your cat's breathing or health, the vet is always the right place to start.