Coughing in Cats

Do cats cough?

Cats do cough, but not nearly as often as other animals. Retching or gagging, including “coughing up hairballs,” is often confused with a respiratory cough in cats.

A cough is an expiratory effort producing a sudden, noisy expulsion of air from the lungs. It is usually stimulated by an irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the trachea, bronchi, or bronchioles in an effort to expel some foreign material or accumulated inflammatory secretions like mucus. Severe bouts of coughing may end with a retch and even bringing up of stomach contents such as bile.

It is important to distinguish coughing from asthmatic attacks. In asthma, most cats will breathe with an open mouth and often have bluish or gray tongue or gums. Asthma attacks in cats are often a medical emergency.

What causes cats to cough?

In cats, coughing is most often a sign of an inflammatory problem affecting the lower respiratory tract, especially some form of bronchitis. This inflammation is often due to an infection, particularly with viruses such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, or bacteria such as Bordetella.

Parasitic worms, especially heartworms, may be responsible for coughing and respiratory problems in some cases. Allergies of various origins may also cause coughing. Cats can cough for a variety of other reasons, including the presence of foreign material (such as inhaled grass) within the airway, or irritation from inhaled liquids or gases.

Chest tumors can occasionally cause coughing. Coughing is not commonly associated with heart disease.

Coughing may accompany upper respiratory tract disease when irritation or inflammation affects the larynx or trachea, or a disease in the nose that results in excessive secretions draining into the larynx and trachea, causing irritation and coughing.

When does a coughing cat need veterinary attention?

It may be normal for some cats to cough occasionally. As long as the cat is maintaining good health and the cough is not productive (does not result in the production of phlegm or sputum), veterinary attention is not immediately indicated.

However, if the cough persists for more than a few days, is severe, is productive, recurs consistently, or if your cat appears sick or is losing weight, you should consult your veterinarian.

How is the cause of a cat's cough diagnosed?

Because coughing is often associated with other signs of respiratory infection, an extensive initial work up may not be required. However, if the cough is severe, or if it has been present for some time, then further investigation may be needed. A thorough medical history documenting the onset of the problem and its progression, any changes in the cat's home environment, or any other signs of illness in the cat, will be important.

The diagnostic work-up may include several types of blood tests, including heartworm antigen tests, laboratory cultures of a wash sample from the lower respiratory tract, endoscopic examination and radiography (X-rays). Ultrasound evaluation of the heart may be necessary in some cases. Your cat may require a sedative or referral to a specialty centre for some of these procedures. Many of these tests will also help distinguish coughing from feline asthma.

How will the cough be treated?

Treatment depends on the diagnosis and your cat's medical condition. Symptomatic treatment may be all that's needed.  If the diagnosis is infectious, either as a primary viral infection with secondary bacterial infection or a primary bacterial infection, antibiotics may be administered. Antibiotics will usually be prescribed for at least two weeks, if not longer. It is important not to stop the treatment once the cat seems better. Complete the medication as prescribed, otherwise the infection may return and be more difficult to treat. It is also important to have the cat on a regular vaccination program for upper respiratory diseases to prevent the transmission and severity or recurrence of these diseases.

If the coughing is a more chronic problem, no secondary infection is present or if there is an allergic basis , then one should ensure the environment has been treated to minimize any airborne allergens or irritants that may contribute to inflaming the airways.  Ensure no scented products or essential oils etc. are being used in the household. Dust is a common allergen. Cleaning ducting and carpet maybe helpful. Litter is also a common source of dust/inhaled irritants. Using a low dust, pelleted newspaper litter or beaded litter may help. Smoke or aerosolized products can also be significant airway irritants. Administration of medications may be needed if the allergen cannot be found and removed from the cat's environment. Humidifying the environment can also help when the air is dry.

Ensure all cats are dewormed regularily to ensure parasites are not a possible problem.