Cat symptom
Coughing in cats
A reflex to clear the airway. An occasional cough can be harmless, but a persistent cough — or coughing in cats, which is less common — should be checked.
Common causes of coughing in cats
- Kennel cough or other respiratory infection (dogs)
- Asthma (especially in cats)
- Heart disease
- Heartworm disease
- Irritants, an inhaled object, or a collapsing trachea in small dogs
Who's most at risk
- Small breeds (collapsing trachea)
- Cats (asthma)
- Unvaccinated or highly social dogs (kennel cough)
- Senior pets and those in heartworm regions
What you can do at home
- Use a harness instead of a neck collar to reduce throat irritation
- Keep the air clean — avoid smoke, dust, and strong sprays
- Avoid strenuous exercise until the cough is improving or your vet has checked it
- Note when the cough happens (after exercise, at night) to tell your vet
When to see a vet
- Coughing up blood or froth
- Breathing fast or with effort, or gums look pale/blue
- A cough that lasts more than a week or keeps returning
- A cat is coughing repeatedly or seems to be working harder to breathe
When it's more serious
- A cough with breathing difficulty or off-color gums is an emergency — go now.
- Blood or froth can mean heart failure or serious lung disease — see a vet today.
- Cats cough far less than dogs; it often means asthma or heart disease — get them checked.
- A persistent or recurring cough should be worked up by your vet.
What your vet may do
- Listen to the heart and lungs; check the throat
- Chest X-rays and possibly heartworm testing
- Treat infection, asthma, or heart disease as found
- Cough suppressants only when appropriate
Questions to ask your vet
- Is this the airway, the lungs, or the heart?
- Should we X-ray or test for heartworm?
- Is it contagious to my other pets?
- What should change if breathing gets harder?
Frequently asked questions
What causes coughing in cats?
A reflex to clear the airway. An occasional cough can be harmless, but a persistent cough — or coughing in cats, which is less common — should be checked. Common causes include: Kennel cough or other respiratory infection (dogs); Asthma (especially in cats); Heart disease; Heartworm disease; Irritants, an inhaled object, or a collapsing trachea in small dogs.
Is coughing in cats an emergency?
Book a veterinary visit soon. See a vet right away if: Coughing up blood or froth; Breathing fast or with effort, or gums look pale/blue; A cough that lasts more than a week or keeps returning; A cat is coughing repeatedly or seems to be working harder to breathe.
What can I do at home for a cat with coughing?
Use a harness instead of a neck collar to reduce throat irritation Keep the air clean — avoid smoke, dust, and strong sprays Avoid strenuous exercise until the cough is improving or your vet has checked it Note when the cough happens (after exercise, at night) to tell your vet
Sources
Reviewed by the Webvet Veterinarian Team
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis, and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. If your pet is in distress, contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away.