Feline Asthma: Signs, Triggers, Diagnosis and Treatment

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

A cat crouched on the floor with its neck stretched out, coughing and wheezing, can look like it is trying to bring up a hairball. When nothing comes up and the episodes repeat, asthma may be the real cause. It is a common condition, and with treatment most cats live comfortably.

What is feline asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the small airways in the lungs. In response to allergens or irritants, the airways swell, produce mucus and tighten, making breathing difficult. Attacks can range from mild coughing to severe, life-threatening respiratory distress.

Siamese cats and related breeds may be more prone. See the Siamese profile.

Signs

• Coughing, often dry and repeated
• Wheezing
• Crouching low to the ground with an extended neck
• Fast or labored breathing
• Open-mouth breathing or panting
• Reduced activity
• Blue or gray gums in severe attacks

Cats breathe through the nose and do not normally pant. Open-mouth breathing is an emergency. See the emergency warning signs guide. Use the US vet directory to find an emergency clinic.

Asthma or hairball?

A hairball cough tends to end with a hairball or foam being produced, and it is occasional. Asthma coughs repeat in bouts, with wheezing and no result. If you see frequent hairball-like coughing without hairballs, tell your vet. A video of the episode helps.

Other causes of breathing trouble

Heart disease, pneumonia, fluid in the chest, lungworms, tumors and foreign bodies can look similar. Your vet will rule them out with:

• Physical exam
• Chest X-rays
• Blood tests
• Sometimes bronchoscopy or a lung wash, to look at cells in the airways
• Tests for heartworm or lungworms, where relevant

Triggers

Common triggers include:

• Dusty or scented litter. See how to choose cat litter.
• Cigarette smoke and wood fires
• Aerosol sprays, perfumes and air fresheners
• Cleaning products and carpet powders
• Pollen, mold and dust mites
• Stress
• Respiratory infections

Treatment

Inhaled corticosteroids. The mainstay of long-term control, given with a cat-sized spacer and mask. They deliver medicine to the lungs with fewer side effects than tablets.

Bronchodilators. Rescue inhalers, such as albuterol, open the airways during attacks. Use only as directed by your vet.

Oral steroids. Used for severe cases or when inhalers are not possible, though long-term use can raise the risk of diabetes. See diabetes in cats.

Oxygen and emergency care. Cats in severe distress need hospital treatment.

Introduce the mask gradually with treats, and practice before you need it.

Home changes

• Use low-dust, unscented litter.
• Do not smoke indoors.
• Avoid aerosols, candles, incense and strong cleaners.
• Use a HEPA air filter.
• Vacuum often, and wash bedding.
• Keep humidity in check to limit mold.
• Keep stress low.

Monitoring

Keep a diary of coughing episodes and triggers. Count your cat's breaths while at rest, ideally under about thirty per minute. A rising rate can signal trouble. Tell your vet.

Living with asthma

Most cats lead normal lives. Stay on schedule with medication, and attend rechecks. Costs vary, and inhalers can be expensive. See cat vet visit costs.

Using an inhaler

Ask your vet to demonstrate the spacer and mask. Introduce the device on a quiet day, leaving it near the food bowl so the cat sniffs it. Reward calm behavior, then place the mask lightly over the nose and mouth without medication. Add the puffs only when the cat accepts the mask. Hold it in place for several breaths after each puff, and praise afterward. Rinse the mask and wipe the cat's face after steroid doses to limit irritation. Never change the dose without advice.

Air quality

Cats spend much of their time near the floor, where dust and litter particles collect. Switch to low-dust litter, pour it gently, run a HEPA purifier near the cat's resting area and avoid scented products. Good air quality helps asthma, and it benefits humans too.

Emergency plan

Write down your vet's number and the nearest emergency clinic. Keep a carrier ready, and know the route. If an attack starts, stay calm, keep the room cool and quiet and offer a rescue inhaler only if your vet has prescribed one and shown you how to use it. If breathing does not ease in minutes, or you see open-mouth breathing or blue gums, leave for the clinic at once. Do not wait to see whether it passes.

Weight and asthma

Overweight cats breathe harder, so a healthy weight eases the work of breathing. Ask your vet for a safe weight-loss plan if your cat is heavy, and see how much should I feed my cat.

When to seek help immediately

Go to an emergency clinic if your cat has open-mouth breathing, blue or pale gums, a stretched neck with obvious effort or collapse. Keep the cat calm and avoid handling it more than needed.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.