Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
Seeing your kitty cough and wheeze can make any pet parent worried. If your cat is coughing frequently but not producing hairballs, the culprit might be asthma. And it's more common than you might think: Feline asthma is estimated to impact at least 1% to 5% of the cat population, and most cats are young to middle-aged when they're first diagnosed.1 In other words, if you think your cat may have asthma, ask your veterinarian to check it out.
Asthma in cats is similar to asthma in people—it can be managed, but it shouldn't be ignored or else it can become life-threatening. The good news is that with some fairly simple treatments, cats can have happy and healthy lives.2
To best help your kitty, you'll need to understand just what feline asthma is and how to treat it.
What Is Feline Asthma?
Feline asthma occurs when your cat's bronchial tubes (which connect the windpipe to the lungs) narrow from inflammation. This can cause your kitty to have a tough time breathing, particularly when exhaling.3
Asthma can affect any cat: young or old, male or female. Some experts suspect genetics may play a role, but it's unclear exactly how. Asthma can progress through four stages if not treated:3
- 1st stage: Symptoms, including increased respiratory effort and some coughing, are mild and don't interfere with your cat's daily life.
- 2nd stage: In the moderate stage, asthma can interfere with your cat's activities, even if she's not affected every day.
- 3rd stage: Your cat may experience severe symptoms every day, including struggling to breathe even with minimal activity or at rest.
- 4th stage: Your cat's lips and nose may turn blue from lack of oxygen during attacks. Many cats will "pant" or open-mouth breathe at this life-threatening stage.
Feline asthma vs. feline bronchitis
You may notice that the terms "feline asthma" and "feline bronchitis" are sometimes used interchangeably. This is because the symptoms are the same, but the illnesses may have slight differences. Asthma is a lifelong condition that can be managed, while some acute forms of bronchitis can be treated if caught early. Chronic bronchitis may be treated similarly to asthma.4
What Causes Asthma in Cats?
Determining the cause of feline asthma can be a real challenge. While allergens are often the culprit, underlying medical conditions can also play a role.3
Some common allergy triggers include:2
- Pollen or mold
- Dust, including litter dust
- Cigarette smoke
- Grass
- Food
- Cleaning products
Other potential triggers that can make your cat susceptible to or worsen asthma include:
- Pneumonia2
- Obesity2
- Heart conditions2
- Genetic predisposition (Siamese and Himalayan cats may be more likely to develop allergic bronchitis, for example)5
- Viruses, parasites or infections can make asthma worse2 or cause bronchitis4
Cat Asthma Symptoms
It's not easy to tell the difference between an asthma cough and a hairball cough. But in general, cats with asthma will cough while hunched close to the ground with their neck extended, and they won't expel a hairball.2
Other feline asthma symptoms may include:2
- Wheezing
- Rapid breathing or open-mouth breathing
- Blue lips and gums
- Gurgling in the throat
- Increased swallowing
- Persistent cough
- Lethargy and weakness
- Drooling, or coughing mucus in more advanced cases
- Sometimes breathing more than 40 breaths per minute while at rest
The trouble is that these symptoms can overlap with those from other medical conditions, so it's important to see a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. If you ever notice your cat having extreme trouble breathing, this requires emergency medical attention ASAP.3
Diagnosing Feline Asthma
Diagnosing feline asthma isn't easy since the symptoms can overlap with other conditions.3 Your veterinarian may do the following to aid with a diagnosis:
- A full physical exam to locate the source of the wheezing and help exclude other lung or heart issues3
- A blood workup3
- Fecal exam to help rule out other causes3
- Urinalysis to help rule out other causes1
- X-rays to look for a pattern in the lungs characteristic of asthma1
Your veterinarian might also recommend a transtracheal wash performed under anesthesia to collect cells that can definitively diagnose asthma in inconclusive cases.1
Cat Asthma Treatment Options
If your cat is diagnosed with asthma, a variety of different treatments might be considered, depending on the severity and your cat's other medical conditions.
Steroid pills or injections
Your veterinarian may prescribe corticosteroid pills or injections to quickly reduce lung inflammation.2 There's a drawback, however. Pills and injections impact your cat's entire system, and if used frequently, can increase the risk of diabetes, pancreatitis and other health conditions.3
Bronchodilator inhalant
Your veterinarian might also prescribe a bronchodilator. This opens the airways and helps make breathing easier.2 It will likely be a bronchodilator inhalant, such as albuterol.3 Because it doesn't treat inflammation, it is typically prescribed alongside some type of corticosteroid.2
Steroid inhalant
Because of the side effects that can come from steroid pills or injections, a more common therapy prescribed today is a corticosteroid inhalant like fluticasone propionate. This may be recommended for daily use or simply as needed. It delivers the medication directly to your cat's lungs, rather than the entire body.3
These inhaled corticosteroids tend to have fewer side effects than pills or shots, though they may take one to two weeks before they're fully effective.6
How inhalers work with cats
Inhalers for cats work similarly to the inhalers that people (especially children) use. But since cats don't have opposable thumbs and can't hold the inhaler to their mouths, you'll need a specially designed inhaler made for kitty cats.6
The inhaler medicine is attached to a chamber called a spacer. The spacer then attaches to a little mask that is held over your cat's face.3 To use the inhaler, you'll put the mask over your kitty's mouth and nose, give a couple of puffs of medicine into the chamber and hold the mask in place.7 Many veterinarians use the AeroKat Chamber and mask, although there are other varieties.6
AeroKat uses a Flow-Vu indicator that helps you count how many breaths your cat is taking while you hold the mask to their face. Your veterinarian will often want your cat to take five or six breaths of medicine, but it might be more.7
The AeroKat device costs about $62 and includes two sizes of masks: one for cats up to 10 pounds and one for cats who weigh more than 10 pounds.7
Other medications
If inhalants aren't enough, your veterinarian might recommend cyclosporine for advanced cases.6
In addition, some cases of acute bronchitis (which resembles asthma) can be caused by infections, so your veterinarian may recommend antibiotics instead of steroids.5
Living With a Cat With Asthma
If your precious kitty has asthma, you'll want to make their home life as accommodating and comfortable as possible. These guidelines can help.
Creating an asthma-friendly home
To provide an asthma-friendly home, you'll need to reduce stress and asthma triggers. This can include taking steps like:
- Using a HEPA filter6
- Frequently vacuuming6
- Cleaning your pet's bedding regularly6
- Reducing use of potpourri and air fresheners6
- Sticking to a daily routine to reduce stress8
- Using fragrance-free, low-dust pet litter8
- Not using aerosols or harsh cleaning chemicals around your cat8
- Not smoking in the home8
- Using a humidifier when the air is drier8
Weight loss and a healthy diet
Healthy cats are less likely to develop asthma, so you'll want to make sure your cat has a nutritious diet. In some cases, low-allergen food can reduce overall inflammation, which your veterinarian may recommend.8
Since obesity can worsen asthma, your veterinarian may recommend a safe weight loss protocol, too.2
Steam treatments
Sometimes, steam treatments at home can help loosen secretions in your cat's throat or lungs.5 Your veterinarian may recommend taking your cat into the bathroom with you while you're taking a hot shower, closing the doors and windows, turning off fan vents and letting the bathroom fill with steam for about 10 to 15 minutes.9
Whether more fresh air is needed or not will depend on your cat's allergic triggers. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
Monitoring and managing flare-ups
Your cat will likely need asthma medication for the rest of their life. Your veterinarian may recommend using the medication daily, or as needed when there's a flare-up. In the latter case, your veterinarian will give you instructions so you know when your cat is having a flare-up.
If your cat has a severe attack that medication doesn't help, or she's experiencing trouble breathing, see an emergency veterinarian right away. Make a list of 24/7 veterinarian clinics near you today so you're prepared ahead of time.
Preventive Measures
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent asthma, these steps can help minimize the chances of developing the disease:
- Schedule vaccinations and regular veterinary checkups: Healthy cats may be less likely to develop asthma. Regular veterinarian checkups can also help catch acute bronchitis before it develops into a chronic form.4
- Maintain a healthy weight: Overweight cats are more prone to feline asthma.4 Ask your veterinarian about safe ways to lose weight, and how much your cat should eat daily.
Feline asthma is a distressing illness. It can be tough to watch your cat wheezing and coughing, and it may take a few tests before your veterinarian diagnoses it. But signs of this progressive illness should always be heeded. If you see your veterinarian and get your kitty on a treatment plan, your cat can be happy and healthy again.
Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Cat Healthy
Investing in pet insurance is a great way to help protect your cat from any unexpected illnesses they may develop, including feline asthma. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Sources/Citations
1. "How to help an asthmatic cat breathe easy," Tamar Arslanian (6/2022), The Wildest, https://www.thewildest.com/cat-health/cat-asthma, accessed March 15, 2024.
2. "Feline asthma: Signs & symptoms of asthma in cats," (4/2022), Cumberland Animal Clinic, https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2022/04/30/feline-asthma-in-cats-signs-symptoms, accessed February 7, 2024.
3. "Feline asthma: A risky business for many cats,"(5/2022), Cornell Feline Health Center, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-asthma-risky-business-many-cats, accessed February 7, 2024.
4. "Is your cat suffering from asthma or bronchitis? Signs, causes, and treatment," (9/2022), Northwood Animal Hospital, https://veterinariannorthwoodtx.com/blog/is-your-cat-suffering-from-asthma-or-bronchitis-signs-causes-and-treatment, accessed February 7, 2024.
5. "Tracheobronchitis (bronchitis, bronchial asthma) in cats," Ned F. Kuehn (10/2022), Merck Veterinary Manual, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-cats/tracheobronchitis-bronchitis,-bronchial-asthma-in-cats, accessed February 7, 2024.
6. "Symptoms and treatment options for feline asthma," Brad Hinsperger (4/2022), Kingsdale Animal Hospital, https://www.kingsdale.com/symptoms-and-treatment-options-for-feline-asthma, accessed February 7, 2024.
7. "AeroKat chamber," Trudell Animal Health, https://www.trudellanimalhealth.com/product/aerokat-chamber, accessed February 7, 2024.
8. "Natural remedies for feline asthma: Managing your cat's condition at home," Trudell Animal Health, https://www.trudellanimalhealth.com/learn/further-reading/cat-asthma-natural-remedies, accessed February 7, 2024.
9. "Techniques for nebulization and coupage in cats," Ryan Llera and Catherine Barnette, VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/techniques-for-nebulization-and-coupage-in-cats, accessed February 7, 2024.