If your cat is coughing, it may be one of several different reasons, almost all of which need to be checked by a veterinarian.
What Are the Causes of Coughing in Cats?
Veterinarian Mike Richards says that the most common reasons for coughing in cats include “asthma, heartworm disease, roundworm migration, lungworms, cardiomyopathy, nasopharyngeal polyps, chronic bronchitis, bordetella infection, and fungal infection,” to name a few. The most common of these are asthma and heartworm. Bordetella is the most infectious of these problems and easily spreads to other cats.
Asthma & Bronchitis
If your vet believes that your cat’s coughing is due to asthma, they will do an x-ray, and if it shows asthma, your cat may be put on an inhaler, asthma medication or steroids. If it shows chronic bronchitis, that will normally be treated with steroids. Your cat might also have allergies.
Bordetella
Bordetella is most commonly found in areas where many cats are housed, such as at the veterinarian’s office, kennels and groomers, and catteries. Most vets who board animals will insist on proof that your cat has been vaccinated for Bordetella before they stay.
Cardiomyopathy
There are three different types of feline cardiomyopathy. When a cat has cardiomyopathy, their heart doesn’t pump properly, causing built up pressure, which to fluid in the lungs and congestion.
Hairballs
Of course if you have a longhaired cat, her coughing could simply be caused by hairballs. This is the only thing that you can treat at home. There are lots of cat foods on the market that now have hairball prevention added in so you can avoid this problem. You can also easily find over-the-counter hairball remedies that are effective or give your kitty papaya supplements if you wish to use something natural.
Heartworms
The best way to avoid heartworms is to keep your cat on a monthly heartworm preventative. With these being sold over the internet, it is important to know that you should never give a pet heartworm treatments without first getting them tested for heartworm, as the medicine can kill your pet if they are already heartworm positive.
Parasites
If your vet believes parasites are the cause of your cat’s coughing, they will usually prescribe a broad spectrum wormer like Pancur. Your cat will cough as the worms migrate from the lungs into the stomach.
You can see that all of these causes and treatments involve a visit to the vet. If your cat has coughing accompanied by sneezing or runny eyes, you should get to the vet quickly, just in case!
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