For When Your Cat Has a Cough: The Most Important Tips

Katze die im Bett auf einer Decke liegt und schläft

When your feline friend suddenly starts to cough, it's understandable how concerning it can be for a caring cat owner.In the best and most common case, your cat has simply swallowed something or had a hair tickle their throat after grooming. However, if the cough persists or is particularly strong and accompanied by shortness of breath or other signs of illness, this is an alarm signal for serious health problems. It is important to recognise problematic coughs in good time and have them assessed by the vet. In addition, tried and tested home remedies can alleviate the symptoms and support your cat in regaining their health.

7 possible causes of coughing in cats

Coughing is a defensive reaction to irritation of the respiratory tract. This means that coughing is not an illness in itself, but a commonly-occurring symptom. It can have infectious and non-infectious causes and can indicate, among other things, these illnesses in cats:

Cat flu
While we humans can easily fare through a cold, a cat cold is a serious illness that must be treated by a vet. Without medication, it often leads to complications and lasting consequences! Cat flu is characterised by sneezing, nasal discharge and watery eyes. Regular vaccination offers the best protection.

Other respiratory tract infections
One of the most common causes of coughing in cats is respiratory infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Symptoms such as coughing, fever, nasal discharge and shortness of breath are typical of such infections. Cats that live in among other animals are exposed to an increased risk of infection and thus are particularly frequently affected.
Asthma
Cats can suffer from asthma. One of the symptoms of this is chronic coughing. Asthma in cats is triggered by an allergic reaction to environmental factors such as pollen, dust or cigarette smoke. If you suspect that your cat may have asthma, you should consult a vet immediately,as an asthmatic attack can be life-threatening.
Heart problems
Coughing can be an indication of heart disease, especially among older cats.The cough often occurs at rest or after physical exertion, triggered by water retention in the lungs. If your cat seems tired or suffers from shortness of breath, a visit to the vet is recommended.
Parasites
Lungworms and other parasites can affect a cat's airways and cause a cough. These parasites often make their way into a cat's body via infected prey consumed by the cat. Regular deworming can work to prevent this.
Foreign body
Foreign bodies in the airways, such as blades of grass or small toy parts, can also cause rather sudden coughing and choking. In such cases, quick action is required to remove the foreign object and avoid possible injury. If your cat panics or experiences severe choking when coughing, consult a vet as soon as possible.
Tumours
In rare cases, tumours can also constrict the respiratory tract. This should especially be considered as a possible cause when dealing with a long-lasting cough.

Coughing in cats: When to go to the vet

Reassuringly, coughing in cats is not always a cause for concern. However, if the following symptoms occur, a visit to the vet is essential:

The cough lasts longer than a week.
The cough is accompanied by fever, loss of appetite or exhaustion.
Your cat has nasal discharge and watery eyes.
Your cat coughs up blood.
Your cat has difficulty breathing.

Katze sitzt auf einem Tisch beim Tierarzt und die Tierärztin hat ein Thermometer in der Hand

3 tried and tested home remedies for coughing in cats

If you want to improve the well-being of your feline friend when coughing, you have many options. Good-quality indoor air that isn't too dry, sufficient hydration and plenty of rest help in regaining health and make breathing easier. For minor coughs or as a supplement to veterinary treatment, some home remedies have also proven to be effective:

Herbs: Expectorant herbs also help our feline friends. Discuss with your vet which herbs you can use as a tea to best help your cat in each case.
Chicken soup: Chicken soup can help to moisten the airways and soothe a cough. It also increases fluid absorption, which is also good for your feline friend. Cook a mild chicken soup without spices or use high-quality cat soups.
Steam inhalation:
Inhaling water vapour has been particularly proven to relieve coughing in cats. For this, place your cat in its transport box and close it. Then place a vessel with hot but not boiling salt water close to the box (but at an appropriately safety distance) and cover both with a blanket. This creates a cave in which the water vapour can spread. Do not leave your cat alone and uncover the box again after a maximum of 10 minutes!Also check whether your cat reacts anxiously or becomes panicked, or whether the box is too hot.

Coughing in cats: 3 tips for prevention

There are some measures you can take to prevent your cat from coughing:

Regular vaccinations: Have your cat vaccinated regularly against respiratory diseases, especially against cat flu.
Healthy nutrition: A balanced diet strengthens your cat's immune system. Make sure they have a good supply of nutrients in their daily meals.
Regular deworming: Protect your cat from parasites with regular deworming. In free-roaming cats, deworming is recommended every four weeks. Make sure that the chosen deworming agent also helps against lungworm.

Cough: one symptom, many causes

Fever can have many different causes, such as infection, inflammation, immune reaction, tumours or drug reactions. It is important to have the exact cause of your cat's fever clarified by a vet in order to initiate the right treatment and avoid possible complications.

Basically, cats and feline species are known for their extreme adaptability and can survive in a wide variety of environments, from the scorching desert to the icy tundra. In hot climates, the cat's body efficiently dissipates heat to avoid overheating, while cats in colder regions conserve heat through evolved behaviours such as curling up in a tight ball or seeking sheltered areas.