The Most Common Reasons And Remedies For Cat Coughing

Sometimes cat coughing can be an indication that there is something wrong with your cat. Coughing may be very common among human beings but you will rarely see coughing in cats. When you hear your cat coughing, consult a vet. Coughing in cats can be a difficult sign to evaluate. That's because sometimes it can occur due to some very minor reasons and sometimes it also can be a symptom of a serious underlying disease of the heart or lungs.

There may be a number of reasons for cat coughing

• Tight collar
• Inhaled substances like aerosol, cigarette smoke, house dust, perfumes can irritate the airway
• growth in the air passage
• allergic reaction
• herpes virus that can cause a spastic cough
• foreign object in the voice box

These were some of the minor reasons that can cause cat coughing. But there are a number of serious reasons which can also result in coughing and need immediate attention.

• Asthma and Bronchitis - If coughing is caused due to asthma; the vet will do an x-ray and if the report confirms asthma, your cat will be put on an inhaler and asthma medication. In case of chronic bronchitis, steroids are used to cure it.
• Bordetella - Cats can develop this disease in places like vet's office, kennels or catteries where many cats are housed in one confined area. If your cat is not vaccinated against Bordetella and visits any of these places, then it can develop this disease.
• Hairballs - Consumption of hairballs can also result in coughing. If hairball is the cause, then you can provide your cat with cat foods or medicine that includes hairball prevention.
• Heartworms - It is another serious cause of coughing. Use monthly heartworm preventative to cure your cat from heartworms after consulting a vet.
• Parasites - If the cause of coughing is parasites, your vet is likely to suggest a broad spectrum deworming medicene like Pancur.

Home Remedies For Cat Coughing

Like humans, cats also cough for different reasons. And different types of reasons can result in different kinds of coughs. You should know about the different kinds of cat coughing and the reasons that may be the cause behind it.

The different kinds of coughs that are found in cats:-

• Hacking honking cough - This kind of cough is related with large brochi.
• Half hearted coughing - This kind of cough is related with fluid in the lungs.
• Moist cough - It can indicate infection or fluid in the lungs.
• Deep convulsive cough with phlegm - It can be related with chronic bronchitis.
• Sudden coughing and wheezing with difficulty in breathing- This kind of cough suggest feline asthma.
• Sporadic cough- This kind of cough with weight loss, listlessness and loss of appetite can indicate the presence of different kind of worms like heartworms, lungworms or fungus diseases.
• Spasms of coughing soon after exercise- It may be related with acute bronchitis.

When To Call The Vet?

If any cough persists for more than 24 hours and is accompanied by other symptoms like wheezing, phlegm etc., then you should take it seriously. If you are not sure about the cause of coughing and your cat continues to cough, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible to cure it from cat coughing.