Is your cat coughing or wheezing – could it be asthma?

📞 Appointments and advice: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa

Quick answer: A cat's cough or wheezing can be linked to asthma, a respiratory infection, or other lung disease. If the symptom persists or breathing becomes difficult, the cat should be examined.

A cat's cough can resemble a vomiting attempt, so the symptom is not always immediately recognized as a respiratory issue. However, recurrent coughing is not normal.

When to see a vet?

Contact a vet if any of the following apply:

• The cough recurs multiple times.
• The cat wheezes or breathes with effort.
• The cat becomes lethargic or hides.
• Breathing is rapid or with an open mouth.

What could be the cause of the symptom?

1. Feline asthma

Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi.

2. Respiratory infection

An infection can cause coughing, rattling, and a decline in general condition.

3. Heart or lung disease

The cause of the symptoms needs to be investigated with examinations if breathing is abnormal.

What can you do at home?

• Record the episode on video, if possible without stressing the cat.
• Monitor the breathing rate at rest.
• Contact us quickly if breathing becomes difficult.

What happens at the vet?

The examination may include listening to the lungs, X-rays, and other further tests depending on the symptoms.

Sacrum Animal Hospital can help

If you are unsure about the severity of the symptoms, it's better to contact us than to wait too long to observe the situation. A professional can help assess whether it's an emergency or if an appointment can be scheduled.

📞 Appointments and advice: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa