Coughing in cats, while relatively infrequent compared to dogs or humans, can be caused by a variety of factors. These can range from simple environmental conditions to more complex health issues. Understanding the reasons behind your cat’s cough can be key in determining the right course of action for treatment.
Lack of Humidity: Cats, like humans, can be sensitive to dry air. When the air lacks sufficient humidity, it can cause dryness in your cat’s respiratory tract, leading to coughing. This is particularly common in colder months when heating systems can create an overly dry indoor environment. If you suspect dry air might be the problem, consider using a humidifier in your home to increase the moisture content in the air. Remember to keep your cat’s hydration levels up by ensuring they have constant access to fresh water.
Allergic Reactions: Cats can have allergic reactions to various substances in their environment, such as certain types of fabric, cleaning products, smoke, pollen, or even some foods. If the allergen is inhaled, it can irritate the cat’s respiratory tract and trigger coughing. If you’ve noticed your cat coughing following exposure to potential allergens, it’s worth discussing this with your vet. They might recommend an allergy test or suggest ways to eliminate or reduce your cat’s exposure to these allergens.
Parasitic Infections: Certain types of parasites, such as lungworms or heartworms, can invade a cat’s respiratory system and cause coughing. If your cat is an outdoor cat or has been in contact with other animals, they may be at higher risk. If parasitic infection is suspected, your vet can perform tests and prescribe the appropriate treatment to clear the infection.
Hairballs: Cats groom themselves by licking their fur, which often results in them swallowing loose hair. Normally, this hair passes through the digestive system and is expelled via feces. However, sometimes it can accumulate in the stomach, forming a hairball. If a cat can’t expel the hairball through vomiting, they may attempt to cough it up. Regular grooming can help reduce the amount of hair your cat swallows and potentially lower the occurrence of hairballs.
Dampen Dry Air
The air quality inside your home can significantly influence your cat’s respiratory health. At times, excessively dry air, often encountered within centrally heated homes during winter months, can lead to bouts of coughing in your feline companion. This is particularly common if you reside in a region known for its harsh, cold climate, where indoor heating is frequently used.
The dryness in the air can irritate the sensitive mucous membranes in your cat’s respiratory tract, leading to discomfort and the potential onset of a dry cough. Just as humans can experience throat dryness or irritation due to dry air, cats can face a similar predicament.
To alleviate this issue, it can be beneficial to use a humidifier to introduce more moisture into your indoor environment. Humidifiers work by increasing the relative humidity in your home, effectively reducing the dryness of the air. This can create a more comfortable atmosphere for both you and your feline friend, as it helps maintain the natural moisture in your cat’s respiratory tract, which can mitigate coughing episodes.
Moreover, you can supplement the use of a humidifier with other measures, such as ensuring your cat has continuous access to fresh water to promote internal hydration. Regularly checking and cleaning your heating system can also help maintain better air quality in your home.
Remember, your home’s environment plays a crucial role in the health and comfort of your pets. By taking simple steps such as using a humidifier during the colder months, you can create a more comfortable and health-promoting atmosphere for your cat, potentially reducing the occurrence of dry-air induced coughing.
Try a New Gag
A distinct type of cough, characterized by your cat lowering her head to the ground and gagging, often indicates she’s attempting to dislodge hairballs. These are clumps of hair that have accumulated in her stomach due to the grooming process. At times, cats may require some assistance from their human companions to effectively pass these unwelcome clumps.
Hairball remedies, such as laxative lubricants, can be quite helpful in these scenarios. They are readily available at pet stores or pet supply outlets. You can gently apply the lubricant onto your finger and allow your cat to lick it off. However, if your feline friend is less enthusiastic about this direct method, another approach can be to smear a small amount of the laxative on her leg. As cats are inherently fastidious creatures, she will instinctively lick it off in her pursuit to stay clean. The ingested laxative works to reshape the hairball into a form that can be more easily passed through the digestive tract and excreted with the feces.
However, it’s essential to note that a gagging cough can also be symptomatic of other health concerns such as roundworms. Roundworms are common intestinal parasites that can cause a variety of symptoms, including a gagging cough. For this reason, it is recommended to have your veterinarian examine a stool sample if your cat exhibits this type of cough. This will help determine if parasites are present and allow for an appropriate treatment plan to be put into place.
Thus, while the occasional hairball is a common part of a cat’s life, persistent gagging or coughing should not be dismissed as just hairball trouble. Always consult with your veterinarian if your cat’s coughing continues or if other worrying symptoms accompany it. This vigilance ensures that your cat receives the best possible care and lives a comfortable and healthy life.