Why do Cats Cough? 6 Common Reasons

Why do Cats Cough: 1. Hairballs 2. Asthma 3. Allergies 4. Respiratory infection 5. Foreign object 6. Heart or lung issues. Learn when coughing is normal and when it’s serious.

Why do Cats Cough?

Hearing your cat cough can be scary, especially if it sounds harsh or keeps happening. Cats do not cough often, so when they do, it usually means something is irritating their airways, throat, or lungs.

Some causes are mild and temporary, while others may need quick veterinary care.

Knowing why cats cough helps you understand when to monitor at home and when to seek help.

Quick Overview: Common Causes of Coughing in Cats

Cause	What Triggers It	Serious Level
Hairballs	Fur stuck in throat	Low
Asthma	Inflamed airways	Medium–High
Respiratory infections	Viruses or bacteria	Medium
Allergies	Dust, smoke, pollen	Medium
Heart disease	Fluid in lungs	High
Parasites	Lungworms	High

1. Hairballs

The most common reason cats cough is hairballs. Grooming causes cats to take in loose hair.
Sometimes this fur gets stuck in the throat, causing a dry, hacking cough that may look like gagging.

Signs it is a hairball:

• Coughing followed by gagging
• Hunched posture
• Hairball vomited afterward

Occasional hairball coughing is normal, but frequent episodes are not.

2. Feline Asthma

Feline asthma is a serious but common cause of coughing. It happens when the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent coughing
• Wheezing
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Open-mouth breathing

Asthma needs a veterinary diagnosis and long-term management.

3. Upper or Lower Respiratory Infections

Infections caused by viruses or bacteria can irritate the throat and lungs, leading to coughing.

Other signs often include:

• Sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Watery eyes
• Fever or low appetite

These infections are common in kittens and shelter cats and often require medical treatment.

4. Allergies or Environmental Irritants

Cats can cough due to allergic reactions or exposure to irritants such as:

• Cigarette smoke
• Dusty litter
• Cleaning chemicals
• Perfumes or sprays

Allergy-related coughing may come and go and often improves once the trigger is removed.

5. Heart Disease

In some cats, coughing is linked to heart disease. When the heart does not pump efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs, causing coughing and breathing difficulty.

Warning signs include:

• Lethargy
• Rapid breathing
• Weakness
• Reduced appetite

This is a serious emergency that needs prompt treatment.

6. Lung Parasites or Infections

Parasites such as lungworms can infect a cat’s lungs, especially in outdoor cats. These parasites irritate the airways and cause chronic coughing.

Symptoms may include:

• Ongoing cough
• Weight loss
• Poor coat condition
• Difficulty breathing

Treatment requires prescription medication from a veterinarian.

Cough vs Hairball: How to Tell the Difference

Feature	Coughing	Hairball
Sound	Dry, hacking	Gagging
Result	No hair produced	Hairball vomited
Duration	Ongoing	Short episode
Frequency	Repeated	Occasional
Concern level	Medium–High	Low (if rare)

When Coughing Is a Warning Sign

You should contact a vet if your cat:

• Coughs daily or frequently
• Has trouble breathing
• Stops eating
• Becomes lethargic
• Coughs up mucus or blood

Coughing that lasts more than a few days should never be ignored.

What You Should Not Do

• Do not give human cough medicine
• Do not ignore repeated coughing
• Do not assume every cough is a hairball

Wrong treatment can make the condition worse.

FAQs

Q1: Is it normal for cats to cough?
Occasional coughing can happen, but frequent coughing is not normal.

Q2: How can I tell if it’s asthma or a hairball?
Asthma causes repeated coughing without producing a hairball.

Q3: Can indoor cats cough too?
Yes, indoor cats can cough due to asthma, allergies, or infections.

Q4: Can stress cause coughing in cats?
Stress can worsen asthma or trigger flare-ups, but it is rarely the main cause.

Q5: When should I see a vet for coughing?
If coughing lasts more than 2–3 days or affects breathing.

Q6: Can coughing be life-threatening?
Yes, if caused by asthma, heart disease, or parasites.