May Is Asthma Awareness Month: Let’s Talk About Cats Who Cough
If you’ve ever seen your cat crouched low, stretching their neck out and coughing like they’re trying to bring up a hairball — but nothing comes up — it may not be a hairball at all.
May is Asthma Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to talk about feline asthma, a condition that affects more cats than many people realize. While it can look subtle at first, asthma can have a big impact on your cat’s comfort and breathing if left untreated.
What is feline asthma?
Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lower airways of the lungs. Think of it like this: when a cat with asthma breathes in something irritating — like dust, pollen, mold, cigarette smoke, perfumes, or even dusty litter — the immune system overreacts.
That reaction causes the airways to become inflamed, swollen, tighter, and sometimes filled with mucus. When that happens, airflow becomes restricted, making it harder for your cat to breathe normally.
It’s very similar to asthma in people, and just like in humans, triggers can vary from cat to cat.
What does asthma look like in cats?
Cats are masters at hiding when something is wrong, so asthma can sometimes go unnoticed until it becomes more serious. One of the most common signs is coughing — and it’s often mistaken for hairballs.
Signs to watch for include:
- Coughing or hacking (especially with nothing coming up)
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Fast or heavy breathing
- Open-mouth breathing (this is never normal in cats)
- Crouching low with the neck extended during coughing episodes
- Lower energy or less interest in playing
- Blue or pale gums (this is an emergency)
If you notice any of these signs, especially breathing changes, it’s important to have your cat evaluated.
How do we diagnose feline asthma?
Asthma can look similar to other conditions like respiratory infections, heartworm disease, parasites, heart disease, or even certain types of tumors. That’s why diagnosing asthma often means ruling out other causes first.
Diagnosis may include:
✔ Chest X-rays to evaluate the lungs and airway pattern
✔ Bloodwork to look for allergy-related inflammation
✔ Heartworm testing
✔ Parasite screening
✔ Additional airway sampling or advanced diagnostics if needed
The goal is to get answers so we can build the best treatment plan.
How is feline asthma treated?
The good news? While feline asthma is not curable, it is very manageable — and many cats do extremely well with treatment.
Treatment focuses on three main things: reducing inflammation, opening the airways, and minimizing triggers.
Reducing Triggers
Sometimes small changes at home can make a big difference:
- Switching to low-dust litter
- Avoiding candles, perfumes, and air fresheners
- Reducing smoke exposure
- Vacuuming and dusting regularly
- Using air purifiers
Weight Management
Extra weight can make breathing harder. Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight can improve respiratory comfort and reduce overall inflammation.
Medications
Depending on severity, treatment may include:
- Bronchodilators to help open the airways
- Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling in the lungs
- Inhaler therapy, which can be a fantastic long-term option for many asthmatic cats
Many owners are surprised to learn cats can use inhalers — and often tolerate them very well!
Can cats live normal lives with asthma?
Absolutely. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, many asthmatic cats live happy, active, normal lives. The key is recognizing the signs early and staying consistent with treatment.
Keeping track of coughing episodes, breathing changes, or triggers at home can be very helpful when managing asthma long-term.
When should you call the vet?
If your cat is coughing regularly, wheezing, breathing faster than normal, or having trouble catching their breath, it’s time to schedule an exam. And if your cat is open-mouth breathing or struggling to breathe, that’s an emergency.
At Markham Woods Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you get answers and help your cat breathe easier.
Because when it comes to asthma, awareness is the first step toward relief.
Any questions? Give us a call 407-682-3233 or Email [email protected]