Is it normal for cats to cough?

Why This Happens

When a cat coughs, they are usually attempting to clear their airways of an irritant, fluid, or inflammation. Because this is not a common behavior for healthy cats, there are usually a few primary drivers:

• Feline Asthma: This is a common cause of chronic coughing. It involves inflammation of the airways, often triggered by allergens like dust, perfume, or smoke, causing the cat to crouch low to the ground while coughing.
• Hairballs (hacking): Many owners mistake the act of hacking up a hairball for coughing. While hairballs are common, a true cough sounds different and does not always result in the expulsion of fur.
• Respiratory Infections: Viral or bacterial infections (like feline upper respiratory infection) can cause inflammation in the lungs or throat, leading to a persistent cough.
• Heartworm or Parasites: Certain parasites can migrate through the lungs, causing a reaction that triggers a coughing reflex.

What It Might Mean in Your Situation

Determining the urgency of a cat’s cough depends on the pattern, timing, and accompanying symptoms. It is helpful to observe the nuances of the behavior to provide better information to a professional.

The Pattern: Is the cough happening once a month, or several times a day? A sporadic cough may be an environmental reaction, whereas a daily occurrence often suggests a chronic condition like asthma.

The Body Language: When a cat coughs, they often extend their neck and crouch low to the floor. This “squatting” posture is a classic sign of respiratory distress or asthma, differing from the rhythmic heaving seen during a hairball attempt.

Environmental Triggers: Does the coughing happen after you use a strong cleaning product, light a candle, or during a high-pollen season? If so, the cause may be environmental sensitivity.

Accompanying Signs: If the cough is paired with lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, or open-mouth breathing, the situation is generally more urgent.

What To Do About It

1. Record the behavior: Use your phone to take a clear video of the cat coughing. This is the most practical tool for a vet, as cats rarely cough on command during an appointment, and the sound/posture is diagnostic.
2. Audit your environment: Identify any recent changes in the home. Switch to unscented litter, avoid aerosol sprays, and limit the use of incense or strong perfumes to see if the frequency of the cough decreases.
3. Schedule a veterinary exam: Contact your vet to describe the symptoms. Be prepared to discuss how long this has been happening and whether the cat seems stressed or tired after a coughing episode.

Real-Life Example

Sarah noticed her cat, Luna, would occasionally crouch low to the ground and make a hacking sound that resembled coughing. Sarah initially thought Luna just had a hairball, but noticed it happened every time Sarah used a specific brand of floral air freshener. Sarah recorded a video of the episode and presented it to her vet. The vet diagnosed Luna with feline asthma and recommended removing the scent triggers and starting a mild medication, which successfully stopped the coughing episodes.

Related Questions

• How can I tell the difference between a cat coughing and a hairball?
• What are the signs of feline asthma?
• When is cat coughing an emergency?
• How are cat respiratory infections treated?

When To Seek Outside Help

Outside help from an emergency veterinary clinic is required immediately if your cat is experiencing respiratory distress. Seek help if you see blue-tinted gums, open-mouth breathing (panting), extreme lethargy, or if the cat is unable to catch its breath. For chronic cases, a licensed veterinarian is the only professional qualified to diagnose and treat the cause of the cough.