How to Help a Cat With Asthma

If your cat has been making a weird wheezing sound, or hacking in a way that doesn’t quite sound right, you probably have some concerns — and that’s understandable. Asthma is probably not the first thing you thought of, but it’s far more common in cats than most people realize. Asthma is the most commonly diagnosed respiratory ailment in cats, affecting an estimated one to five percent of them. And if that is what’s going on, there’s some good news: it’s manageable. Cats with asthma live full, normal lives with the right treatment.

So whether your cat was just diagnosed or you’re considering adopting one with asthma, just know it’s not a dealbreaker. Keep reading to find out what veterinarians have to say about cat asthma symptoms, what to look for, how it's diagnosed, and how to help your cat feel better.

Main takeaways

• Yes, cats can have asthma — one to five percent of cats do, per Cornell, making it the most commonly diagnosed respiratory issue in cats

• It ranges from mild to serious, but it is very treatable

What is cat asthma?

Cats can have asthma — which is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to trouble breathing — just like humans. Dr. Grant Little, DVM, a veterinarian who’s a pet expert on JustAnswer, says that factors like age, breed, and whether the kitty in question is an indoor or an outdoor cat can all have an impact on the prevalence of asthma. 

What causes cat asthma?

Cats with allergies, compromised immune systems, or who live in smoking households are more susceptible. A few common triggers include:

• Cigarette smoke (including marijuana)

• Mold, dust, and pollen

• Perfume, aerosol sprays, and scented cleaning products

• Household chemicals

• Pre-existing illnesses such as feline herpesvirus, FIV, or feline leukemia, which can inflame the respiratory tract

“Viral infections, such as feline leukemia disease, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline herpes virus, or others that weaken the immune system, make the respiratory tract more irritated and reactive,” Dr. Little says. This can lead to symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, sticking their neck out, and even vomiting.

“Cats with allergies or disorders leading to chronic airway inflammation are more affected by asthma,” adds Dr. Amanda Chambers, DVM, Veterinary Consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance. She says that brachycephalic (or short-faced) cat breeds, felines who are overly anxious or stressed, and cats with higher exposure to irritants (such as those living in smoking households) are also more likely to have asthma.

Besides tobacco smoke, things like household cleaning sprays, mold, pollen, and dust mites can also trigger symptoms of asthma, says Dr. Preston Turano, DVM at Felix Cat Insurance. “The exact asthma-causing allergens can be difficult to identify, and often are unknown,” Dr. Turano says.

Does my cat have asthma? Symptoms to know

You might be wondering how to tell if your cat has asthma. The vets we spoke to highlighted the following symptoms of asthma in cats. While many of them may signal a cat asthma attack, they could also be signs that something else is going on. The only way to know for sure is to consult your cat’s veterinarian.

• Rapid breathing: If your cat is breathing faster than usual, that’s a red flag. Increased respiratory rate is a classic cat asthma symptom. Fast breathing is a sign that it’s time to visit the vet.

• Wheezing: Wheezing in cats sounds like wheezing in humans: audible breathing, perhaps with a high-pitched whistling or rattling sound. It’s a sign that something is wrong, and you should take your cat in to be checked by their vet.

• Open-mouthed breathing: A healthy cat, like a healthy human, doesn’t breathe with their mouth open. This is a classic asthma symptom that should be taken seriously. 

• Hacking: Hacking is sometimes harmless, since it’s common for cats to hack when they’re trying to move a hairball through their system. In combination with any of these other symptoms though, or in the absence of a hairball, it could be a symptom of asthma.

• Lethargy: Cats with asthma may not be up for their usual activities: scratching their posts, batting their toys around, or chasing beams of light around the living room. If your cat is lethargic, pay a visit to your vet to figure out what’s behind their lack of energy.

• Decreased appetite: This is another symptom that can signal a variety of ailments, including asthma. If your kitty is not eating the way they normally do, consult your vet to see what might be going on. Losing weight can be a sign of asthma.

• Vomiting: What cat parent hasn’t cleaned up more than their fair share of cat vomit? Some cats are pukers — that’s just a fact of cat parenthood. But in some cases, cats with asthma will throw up due to distress and breathing issues. 

What does an asthma attack look like?

A cat having an acute asthma attack may breathe with their mouth open, cough, and breathe faster than usual, according to Dr. Turano. “Many often have a crouched posture with their neck and head extended while coughing,” he says. If you notice these symptoms, get your cat to a vet right away. The frequency of asthma attacks in cats varies depending on the cat and how well-managed their asthma symptoms are.

How to help a cat having an asthma attack

To help a cat having an asthma attack, the first thing you should do is remain calm. That way, you can try to calm your cat. “Remove them from any possible irritating, inciting stimulus: smoke, dust, etc.,” Dr. Chambers says. “If your cat appears to be in respiratory distress or their gums look purple, they should be brought to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. If your cat already has an inhaler prescribed, this can be used in the face of an attack to bring sooner resolution.” Here are a few steps you can follow.

• Be sure to stay calm because your cat will pick up on panic and get more stressed.

• Move them away from any potential triggers.

• If prescribed, help them use their inhaler/bronchodilator.

• If their gums turn blue or purple, or they’re in obvious distress, take them to an emergency vet, immediately.

• Call or text the vet even if the attack seems to resolve and be sure to document it.

How is cat asthma diagnosed?

There’s no single test that definitively diagnoses asthma in cats — your vet will get there by ruling other things out first. That typically means chest X-rays, listening to their breathing, and possibly blood work or bronchoscopy. Conditions that can look a lot like asthma include feline heartworm, respiratory infections, lungworm, and foreign bodies in the airway — so the diagnostic process is worth taking seriously even if the symptoms seem mild.

“If you think your pet may be having an asthma attack, monitor them closely, and if stable, try to get a video to show your veterinarian. This can be a huge help in making an appropriate diagnosis,” Dr. Chambers says. Pets have a way of acting completely normal the moment they’re in a clinic, so footage of what you’re actually seeing at home is real evidence.

How to treat cat asthma

The good news is that there are many different cat asthma treatments available. “Most treated cats can do well and control [asthma] long term, but untreated cats can get significant flare-ups and sometimes go into respiratory distress, which is life-threatening,” Dr. Little says.

Asthma medications

Treatment usually means a combination of two types of medication. “If asthma treatment for cats is warranted, asthmatic cats are typically treated with a combination of steroids and bronchodilators,” Dr. Chambers says. “Steroids (oral, injectable, or inhaled) help reduce airway inflammation, which is the underlying issue in asthma. Bronchodilators (oral or inhaled) help combat the airway constriction present in asthmatic patients. Inhaled medications will need to use an inhaler attachment specific to cats.” Both medications are available in inhaled forms, but cats need a spacer attachment designed specifically for them to use a standard inhaler effectively.

Environmental changes

Reducing your cat’s exposure to triggers at home makes a real difference in how often they have flare-ups. It’s best not to smoke around cats. “One of the major factors that plays into making cats more likely to develop asthma is if there’s smoke in the house,” Dr. Little says. “This can be from cigarettes or marijuana.” You’ll want to be mindful about using perfume, essential oils, and scented cleaning products, he adds, because these can be irritating to your cat’s respiratory system.

How to help a cat with asthma

If your cat has asthma, there are several things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms. “A good diet, daily exercise, and maintaining a proper weight are all keys to a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Turano says. Below, more tips to keep your cat with asthma feeling good.

• Choose litter for cats with asthma: All the vets who spoke to Adopt a Pet recommended using a dust-free litter if your cat has asthma, or if they are at risk of developing it. “Asthmatic cats can benefit from low-residue litter, such as recycled paper pellets,” Dr. Chambers says.

• Regular vet appointments: Cats benefit from regularly scheduled trips to the vet, but if you’re the pet parent of an asthmatic cat (or one with any other medical issue, for that matter), you won’t want to skip any checkups.

• Weight maintenance: Cats with asthma need to watch their weight. (Or rather, you need to watch it for them.) “Maintaining an appropriate body condition can help, as overweight cats have more mass to move when they breathe,” Dr. Chambers says. Meanwhile, Dr. Little points out that extra weight makes cats more likely to develop asthma, as well.

• Diet: Staying within a healthy weight range means watching how many treats your asthmatic kitty gets and the overall amount of food they eat. Your vet can help you figure out how much food, and what kind of food, will be best for your cat.

• Exercise: While exercise is an important part of a healthy feline lifestyle, cats with asthma may need to keep things a little more low-key. “Activity may need to be restricted if it appears to trigger asthmatic episodes,” Dr. Chambers says, before adding that this often isn’t necessary.

Should I adopt a cat with asthma?

If you’ve fallen for a cat at your local shelter who happens to have asthma, that’s not a reason to walk away. With the right treatment plan and a few adjustments at home, cats with asthma live full, normal lives — they just need little extra attention. Regular vet checkups, staying on top of medication, and keeping obvious triggers out of your space are the basic cat-proofing you’ll need.

Commonly asked questions

Can a cat suddenly develop asthma? 

Yes, a cat who hasn’t had breathing problems can develop asthma seemingly overnight. “Cats can have an acute asthma attack when exposed to an allergen or irritant that triggers the inflammatory response,” Dr. Turano explains.

Is cat asthma the same as cat coughing or hairballs?

No, cat asthma isn’t always the same, but it can look alike. The difference is context and frequency — a cat regularly hacking without producing a hairball, or doing it alongside other symptoms, warrants a vet visit.

Can indoor cats get asthma?

Yes, indoor cats can get asthma. Indoor house cats are actually exposed to many common triggers — dust, cleaning products, candles, air fresheners, and second-hand smoke — that can contribute to asthma.

How often will my cat have asthma attacks?

With well-managed asthma, some cats rarely have flare-ups. Others may have occasional episodes. Keeping up with medication and minimizing triggers makes a significant difference.

What is the life expectancy of a cat with asthma?

The life expectancy of a cat with asthma will be just as long as that of any other cat,  provided the asthmatic feline gets proper care and treatment, especially during flare-ups. “With good monitoring of the respiratory rate at home and the use of medications when they are having flare-ups, cats with asthma can have normal, healthy lives,” Dr. Turano says. “Asthma is a chronic condition and may not be cured, but it can be controlled.”

How to prep your home for your newly adopted cat with asthma?

Before you bring a cat home, make sure you have the basic supplies: a cat carrier, food and water bowls, food, a litter box and kitty litter, a cat bed, a cat brush and nail clippers, and a toy or two. Cat-proofing your home also means making it comfortable and safe for your new feline family member. This may involve removing or replacing asthma triggers such as overly scented detergents and cleaning products. But you’ll also want to make sure there aren’t any toxic plants around, super-tight spaces in which your cat can get stuck, or sharp/ loose objects around that can accidentally injure them. 

References

Feline Asthma: Diagnostic and Treatment Update

Feline Asthma: A Risky Business for Many Cats

How to Help Your Cat Breathe Easy With Feline Asthma