A coughing cat is never normal and always signals something is wrong with your feline friend. Unlike dogs who may cough occasionally, cats rarely cough unless they're experiencing a health issue that needs attention.
Knowing when a coughing cat requires emergency care versus a scheduled veterinary visit can make all the difference in your pet's recovery. This guide will help you recognize the signs that indicate when to seek immediate help for your coughing cat.
Top Questions About Cat Coughing
When Should I Rush My Cat to Emergency Care?
A coughing cat needs emergency veterinary care when showing signs of breathing difficulty, blue-tinged gums, or extreme low energy. Cats experiencing multiple coughing fits within a short period or those unable to rest comfortably need quick professional attention. Unlike dogs, cats rarely cough unless something is wrong, making any persistent coughing potentially serious.
How Do I Know if It's a Hairball or Something More Serious?
Hairballs involve a distinct gagging motion followed by productive expulsion of hair. True coughing in cats is a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, often with the neck extended and sometimes accompanied by a wheezing sound. If your cat has repeated episodes without producing a hairball, or shows difficulty breathing between episodes, this suggests a respiratory issue rather than a simple hairball.
What Can I Do Right Now to Help My Cat?
Keep your cat in a calm, quiet environment away from potential irritants like smoke, strong perfumes, or cleaning products. Avoid chasing or restraining your cat, as stress can worsen breathing difficulties. Call a veterinary hospital right away if your cat's breathing becomes labored or if coughing persists.
Why Does Cat Coughing Occur
Cats cough when their airways are irritated or obstructed. Common causes include respiratory infections, asthma, allergies, heartworm disease, and occasionally foreign objects. Unlike dogs, cats rarely cough due to heart disease. The type of cough—whether dry and hacking or wet and productive—can provide important clues about the underlying cause.
Spotting Mild Cases
Mild coughing in cats may appear as occasional, short-lived episodes without other concerning symptoms. Your cat might cough once or twice but continue to eat normally, play, and breathe comfortably between episodes. Even with mild symptoms, watch for changes in your cat's behavior as cats often hide illness until it becomes severe.
Recognizing Serious Cases
Serious coughing requires quick veterinary attention when accompanied by labored breathing, low energy, or loss of appetite. A cat sitting with elbows pointed outward is struggling to breathe. Coughing up blood, excessive drooling, or blue-tinged gums indicate a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate professional care.
What To Do
Step 1: Assess Your Cat's Breathing
Count your cat's breathing rate while they're resting—normal is 20-30 breaths per minute. Watch for stomach effort during breathing or flaring nostrils, which indicate respiratory stress. Note whether the cough sounds dry or wet, and if there's any discharge from the nose or mouth.
Step 2: Call an Emergency Clinic
Call a veterinary hospital right away if your cat shows signs of respiratory stress. Describe the coughing pattern, when it started, and any other symptoms you've noticed. Be prepared to answer questions about your cat's vaccination history and whether they go outdoors.
Step 3: Prepare for Transport
Place your cat in a carrier with familiar bedding to reduce stress during transport. Keep the car quiet and maintain a comfortable temperature. Avoid offering food before the visit, but follow any specific instructions provided by the veterinary team regarding water. Call your veterinary clinic for guidance on feeding and hydration while awaiting your appointment.
Potential Life-Threatening Conditions
Severe asthma attacks can cause life-threatening airway constriction in cats. The signs include persistent coughing, open-mouth breathing, and blue-tinged gums. Foreign objects lodged in the throat or airways can cause sudden, violent coughing and respiratory stress. Advanced respiratory infections may progress to pneumonia, especially in kittens, senior cats, or those with weakened immune systems.
Helping Your Pet Before the Vet Visit
Offer a Quiet Space
Create a calm environment by keeping your cat in a quiet room with minimal disturbances. Reduce potential airway irritants like dust, smoke, or strong scents. Monitor breathing patterns and note any changes to report to the veterinarian.
Follow Veterinary Guidance on Food and Hydration
If your cat is actively coughing, withhold food until speaking with a veterinarian to prevent choking. Offer small amounts of water if your cat is not in severe stress, but stop if this triggers more coughing. Call your veterinary clinic immediately for guidance on feeding and hydration while awaiting your appointment.
Preventing Future Coughing Episodes
Minimize household irritants like cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, and dusty cat litter. Use air purifiers to reduce airborne allergens that can trigger asthma attacks. Keep up with recommended vaccinations to protect against respiratory infections, and maintain regular wellness visits to catch potential issues early.
We're Here to Help
Understanding when a coughing cat needs emergency care can be challenging. Mild, occasional coughing without breathing difficulties may be monitored until you can see your primary veterinarian. Severe symptoms like labored breathing, blue gums, or extreme low energy require immediate emergency attention. Our hospitals are equipped to help cats with respiratory emergencies. If you're not sure about the severity of your cat's condition, call us — we can talk you through the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Coughing in cats is never normal and always warrants attention.
- Watch for warning signs like labored breathing, low energy, or blue-tinged gums that indicate an emergency.
- When in doubt about your coughing cat's condition, call a veterinary professional for guidance.
The information contained in the article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of the advice of a veterinarian.
