Does My Cat Have Asthma? Signs, Symptoms and When to See a Vet

When you notice your cat coughing, wheezing or otherwise breathing strangely, one of the first questions that comes to mind might be “Does my cat have asthma?” Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition and it is manageable with proper treatment.

When asthma is troubling a cat, it can look similar to hairball retching. If you notice this type of behaviour in your cat, it’s worth going to the vet - early diagnosis improves quality of life. In this guide, we look at the signs, causes, diagnosis and treatment of feline asthma.

What Is Feline Asthma?

Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways (the bronchi and bronchioles). The condition is comparable to asthma in humans because it has a similar impact on a cat’s life.

Generally speaking, asthma symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled irritants. When those irritants enter the airway, the following happens:

• The immune system overreacts

• The airway becomes inflamed

• This causes narrowing, known as bronchoconstriction

• Excess mucus is produced and breathing becomes laboured

If the condition is left untreated, the airway can gradually become thickened, which can make flare-ups even more dangerous. The condition cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with medication.

In most cases, it is young or middle-aged cats that develop feline asthma. There are some studies that suggest Siamese cats are more prone to it than other breeds, so be mindful of this if you have a Siamese cat.

Common Signs Your Cat May Have Asthma

There are certain common symptoms of asthma in cats, including persistent dry coughing, wheezing and rapid breathing. These symptoms can be mild, intermittent or severe. In some cases, there can be more urgent warning signs like panting or pale gums - these should be treated as emergencies.

Let’s break down the signs of feline asthma in a little more detail.

The most Common Symptoms

If you notice any of these signs, keep an eye on them or book an appointment with your vet:

• Persistent coughing (often dry, hacking).

• A cough that looks like that cat is trying to bring up a hairball, but nothing appears.

• Wheezing (this presents as a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing).

• Rapid breathing (a cat’s normal respiratory rate is 20-30 breaths per minute).

• Increased abdominal effort when breathing.

• Breathing with neck extended and elbows pointed out.

• Avoiding activity and exercise.

• Lethargy during flare-ups.

There are other things associated with some of these symptoms. However, if you notice some or all of them consistently, it might be a good idea to get your cat checked out by a vet.

Emergency Warning Signs

There are certain signs that are more worrying and require immediate veterinary attention as your cat may be in danger. Watch out for:

• Open-mouthed breathing

• Panting (this is rare in cats and always a cause for concern)

• Blue or pale gums (cyanosis)

• Collapse

• Severe respiratory distress

If any of these things happen, make an immediate call to your vet and get an emergency appointment.

Is It Asthma or Just a Hairball?

Because the retching associated with feline asthma resembles that of coughing up a hairball, it can feel difficult to distinguish between the two. The simplest way to tell the difference is that hairball retching usually ends with the production of a hairball.

If the retching is caused by asthma, you are likely to notice:

• It happens repeatedly

• It produces nothing

• The sound is dry and hacking

Asthma episodes commonly last 10-30 seconds. You might notice that the cat crouches low to the ground as it coughs. If you frequently notice this “hairball” cough but no hairball ever appears, the possibility of asthma should be considered.

It can be helpful to film a coughing episode so that you can show it to your vet when you visit.

What Causes Asthma in Cats

A cat either has asthma or it doesn't - this isn’t something that is caused by infection and it is not contagious to other pets. However, having asthma doesn’t necessarily mean your cat will display symptoms - episodes typically happen because of allergic reactions.

Common triggers in UK households include:

• Dust (including dusty cat litter)

• Pollen

• Mould spores

• Cigarette smoke

• Wood burners and fireplaces

• Air fresheners

• Scented candles

• Aerosol sprays

• Cleaning chemicals

• Perfumes and deodorants

• Construction dust

Essentially, an asthmatic episode in a cat is an allergic hypersensitivity reaction. Though it isn’t caused by an infection, symptoms can get worse if a cat has an infection.

How is Feline Asthma Diagnosed?

There is no single test for asthma at the vets. The diagnostic process starts with a full clinical examination. The vet will use their expertise to listen for wheeze via a stethoscope. If they suspect asthma, there are various tests they might recommend. These include:

• Chest X-rays to look for a bronchial pattern.

• Blood tests to rule out infection.

• Heartworm testing (this is quite uncommon in the UK)

• Faecal tests (it is important to rule out lungworm in the UK)

• Bronchoscopy (in specialist settings)

In essence, diagnosis tends to be made by ruling out other conditions.

What Are the Treatment Options for Cat Asthma?

As we have mentioned, there is no cure for feline asthma. However, it is a very manageable condition with the right treatment. The main treatment options are corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Let’s look at them in a little detail:

• Corticosteroids: These help to reduce airway inflammation so that cats don’t experience those unwanted symptoms. They can come in the form of tablets or injections, but inhalation is the preferred long-term solution.

• Bronchodilators: These open the airways whenever needed. They are often administered via an inhaler and are primarily used during flare-ups.

Inhalers are generally recommended as the best option because they target the lungs directly. There are also fewer systemic side effects that you might get with long-term oral steroid use. Many cats tolerate spacer masks well with training.

When Should I See a Vet?

It is important to get treatment for a cat with asthma because flare-ups can keep getting worse and do lasting damage to the airway over time. We’ve listed the symptoms to look out for, but we recommend that you see your vet if:

• Coughing occurs more than once or twice.

• Wheezing is heard.

• Breathing rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute at rest.

• Episodes are increasing in frequency. Any emergency signs occur.

It’s important to understand that breathing problems are always an urgent issue in cats. If you notice open-mouthed breathing, you must never “wait and see”. Make an appointment with your vet and get to the bottom of the symptoms.

Final Thoughts

Feline asthma is a common condition and it is highly manageable once it is diagnosed. The early you get it diagnosed, the better the cat’s outcome is likely to be. Frequent coughing is never normal for cats, so it is strongly recommended that you get it checked out.

Prompt veterinary advice is the best course of action. Don’t delay, get your cat looked at and either rule out asthma or get a diagnosis and the proper treatment.