Did you know that cardiac problems, lung disease, and obesity can lead to a cat making weird noises when breathing¹? If your cat is making strange sounds while breathing, it’s important to notice. Cats often hide signs of illness, so early detection of noisy breathing is crucial². Some cat breeds naturally breathe noisier, but any sudden or ongoing cat respiratory issues need vet attention.

Many things can cause a cat to make weird noises when breathing, like infections like feline herpes virus and calicivirus or serious issues like heart problems or cancer². Upper respiratory infections are a common reason for breathing changes in cats¹. Other possible causes include feline asthma, foreign bodies stuck in the airways, nasal growths, laryngeal diseases, trauma, and dental issues². Finding out what’s causing the problem is the first step to treating it.

Key Takeaways

• Noisy breathing in cats can indicate an issue with their respiratory system or airways.
• Common causes include infections, asthma, heart problems, dental disease, and obstructions.
• Sudden onset of noisy breathing or persistent cat wheezing sounds should be evaluated by a vet.
• Diagnostic tests may include physical exams, blood work, imaging, and airway sampling.
• Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve medications, surgery, or environmental changes.

Understanding Normal Breathing in Cats

As a cat owner, knowing what normal cat breathing looks and sounds like is key. Healthy cats breathe quietly and easily, with little chest and belly movement. You might need to listen closely to hear their breathing.

Cats usually breathe through their noses. They only breathe through their mouths when stressed, hot, or sick³. If they’re panting, it could mean they’re stressed, hot, or have a health issue like asthma or heartworm³. A healthy cat’s nose is clean and dry, with no discharge or crusting, and they shouldn’t cough or sneeze too much³.

Quiet and Effortless Breathing

At rest, a cat’s breathing is calm and almost silent. You shouldn’t hear wheezing or other odd sounds when they breathe. If they do make noise, it could be a sign of asthma or pneumonia³.

A content cat will often purr softly while breathing, which is a sign of relaxation and well-being.

Normal Respiratory Rate

The cat respiratory rate is a key health indicator. A normal, resting adult cat breathes 16-30 times per minute⁴. Some might breathe fewer than 20 times, but more than 30 is a worry⁴.

Adult humans breathe 12-16 times per minute, slower than cats⁴. If a cat breathes more than 40 times per minute, it could mean they have anemia, asthma, or fluid in their lungs or chest³⁴.

If your cat’s breathing rate is always over 30, see a vet⁴. Catching breathing problems early can help them recover faster and live better³.

Types of Noisy Breathing in Cats

Noisy breathing in cats can be divided into two main types: stridor and stertor. Both involve unusual sounds, but they differ in how they affect your cat’s health.

Stridor: High-Pitched Sounds

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound cats make when breathing in or out. It usually comes from the larynx or trachea, which are stiff parts in the upper airway⁵. This sound means there might be a blockage or narrowing, which can limit air and oxygen to the lungs⁵.

Cats with stridor may have trouble breathing, breathe with their mouth open, or cough⁵. It’s a serious sign that could mean a blockage in the airway, like in feline asthma⁵. If you think your cat has stridor, get them to the vet right away to fix the problem and avoid worse issues⁶.

Stertor: Low-Pitched Sounds

Stertor is a low-pitched sound, like snoring or snorting, coming from the nose or back of the throat. It’s different from stridor because it comes from softer tissues, making it sound lower⁵.

Even though stertor is not as urgent as stridor, it can still bother your cat and point to health problems. Issues like allergies⁷, infections⁷, or stuffy nose from infections⁵ can cause this sound. If your cat keeps making this noise, take them to the vet for a check-up and treatment.

In conclusion, knowing the difference between stridor and stertor is key to taking the right action when your cat breathes noisily. Stridor needs quick vet care because it’s serious. But stertor should also be checked by your vet to keep your cat happy and healthy⁶.

Common Causes of Noisy Breathing in Cats

Many health issues can make cats breathe noisily, upsetting both the cat and its owners. Signs like rapid breathing, noisy panting, coughing, and gagging are common⁸. The top reasons for breathing trouble in cats are asthma attacks, heart failure, and fluid buildup in the chest⁸.

Infections (Feline Herpes Virus, Calicivirus)

Respiratory infections, like those from the feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus, can cause noisy breathing. These viruses lead to inflammation and congestion in the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, and cat upper respiratory infection signs. In severe cases, the inflammation can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing coughing and breathing trouble.

Feline Asthma

Feline asthma is a chronic allergic disease that causes wheezing in cats. It often starts in middle-aged cats, especially in Oriental breeds like Siamese⁹. This condition leads to inflammation in the airways, causing coughing, wheezing, and rapid breathing¹⁰. Asthma can worsen in warm weather with high pollen levels⁸. Overweight cats may have worse asthma symptoms, and losing weight can help improve breathing⁹.

Foreign Bodies

Foreign objects, like grass or grass seeds, can get stuck in a cat’s throat or nose. This causes noisy breathing and discomfort. It’s important to get veterinary help quickly to remove the blockage and prevent further problems.

Nasopharyngeal Polyps

Nasopharyngeal polyps are soft tissue growths in the nasal passage or throat. They can block the airway, leading to noisy breathing, snoring, and swallowing trouble. Surgery is often needed to remove the polyps and improve breathing.

Heart Problems

Cardiac issues issues, like an enlarged heart, can press on the windpipe, causing noisy breathing and breathing trouble. Heart failure can also lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing hard⁸. This usually affects older cats⁸. Fluid buildup in the chest and heart failure can cause rapid breathing and panting¹⁰.

Dental Disease

Dental disease, especially tooth root problems, can affect the nasal passages. Infections from dental issues can spread to the sinuses, causing congestion and noisy breathing. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene can help prevent these issues.

Cancer

Cancerous tumors can grow in the respiratory tract, with lymphoma being common in cats. These tumors can block the airway, causing noisy breathing, coughing, and trouble breathing. Other causes of wheezing include infections, parasites like lungworm, and inhaled foreign bodies⁹.

It’s important to get veterinary help quickly if a cat is breathing heavily or having trouble breathing¹⁰. Treatment for breathing trouble depends on the cause. Asthma may be treated with medications, while fluid buildup in the chest might need drainage⁸. Always seek professional veterinary care for breathing issues instead of trying home remedies, as the causes can vary⁸.

When to Seek Veterinary Care for Cat Making Weird Noises When Breathing

If your cat is having trouble breathing, you should get help right away. Cats often hide signs of illness, so noticing changes in their breathing is key. About 1 to 5% of cats have asthma¹¹, and not treating it can cause serious lung damage¹¹.

Unusual breathing sounds in your cat, along with signs like tiredness or hiding, mean it’s time to see a vet. Look for signs like an elongated neck or blue-tinged gums, which mean your cat is in distress¹². Fast, labored breathing and mouth open are also warning signs¹².

Other urgent signs include:

• Nose or eye discharge
• Changes in vocalization
• Increased effort when breathing
• Faster respiratory rate
• Abnormal postures
• Nosebleeds
• Lethargy
• Changes in appetite
• Fever
• Pale gums
• Episodes of weakness or collapse

Quick vet visits are needed for wheezing cats. Tests like blood work and X-rays help find the cause¹¹. Treatment might include medicines or even surgery¹¹.

Remember, when it comes to your feline friend’s health, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Trust your instincts and seek professional help if you notice any signs of cat breathing difficulty.

Other emergencies for cats include:

By knowing these signs and acting fast, you can help your cat stay healthy and happy.

Diagnosing the Cause of Noisy Breathing in Cats

When a cat makes weird noises while breathing, it’s important to get vet care fast. A vet will do a full check-up, run tests, and use special imaging to find the cause. This way, they can make a plan to help the cat breathe better and feel better overall.

Physical Examination

The vet starts by doing a detailed check-up. They look at how the cat is breathing and if they seem stressed. They listen to the cat’s chest with a stethoscope and check for any discharge or blockages. Cats usually breathe 10-30 times a minute¹³.

Blood Tests and Swabs

If the vet can’t find the problem right away, they might do blood tests. These tests check if the cat’s organs are working right and if they have infections or viruses. They also take swabs from the cat’s nose and throat to find out if there are any infections causing the breathing trouble. If a cat is breathing too fast, it might mean they’re not getting enough oxygen¹³.

Imaging (X-rays, CT Scans)

X-rays and CT scans are key in finding out what’s wrong with a cat’s breathing. These tests show the vet what’s going on inside the cat’s body. They can spot tumors, lung disease, or other problems. This helps the vet know how to help the cat.

Rhinoscopy and Airway Sampling

Rhinoscopy lets the vet see inside the cat’s airways with a camera. This helps find any blockages or problems. The vet might also take samples to check for infections or abnormal cells. This helps figure out why the cat is breathing so loudly and how to fix it.

Vets use many ways to find out why cats breathe loudly. They do exams, tests, and use special imaging. Finding and treating problems early is key to helping cats breathe better. Some problems, like polyps, can be fixed with surgery, and the cat can get better quickly¹⁴. Other issues might need different treatments, like antibiotics or oxygen therapy¹³. Getting help fast can also save money and keep the cat healthy¹³.

Conclusion

Noisy breathing in cats can worry pet owners. It might mean a health problem that needs quick veterinary care for cat breathing problems. Getting help early is key to managing these issues.

Early treatment can stop problems from getting worse. It helps your cat feel better and live better too¹⁵.

The outcome for cats with noisy breathing varies. Some problems, like a blockage, can be fixed easily. But others, like heart issues or tumors, might be harder to treat.

Yet, many breathing problems, like asthma, can be managed well. Your vet will tell you the best treatment based on your cat’s health¹⁶.

Cats often hide when they’re sick. Even small changes in breathing should not be ignored. The ASPCA says many older cats have health issues like cognitive problems¹⁷.

Spotting these problems early can help a lot. By watching your cat’s health closely and getting vet help when needed, you can keep your cat happy and healthy for a long time¹⁷.

Source Links

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2. Why is my cat’s breathing noisy? – https://www.breatheazy.co.uk/why-is-my-cats-breathing-noisy/
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6. Cat Wheezing: When is it Considered an Emergency? – The Village Vets 24-Hour Emergency – https://emergency.thevillagevets.com/blog/cat-wheezing/
7. Why Is My Cat Wheezing? – https://www.trudellanimalhealth.com/learn/further-reading/why-is-my-cat-wheezing
8. Dyspnea (Difficulty Breathing) – https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/dyspnea-difficulty-breathing
9. Why is my cat wheezing? – Vet Help Direct – https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/08/18/why-is-my-cat-wheezing/
10. Johns Creek Veterinary Clinic – https://www.johnscreekvet.com/site/blog/2021/08/30/heavy-breathing-cats
11. Cat Wheezing: Our Vet Explains What It Is, Why It Happens & When to See a Vet – Catster – https://www.catster.com/ask-the-vet/cat-wheezing/
12. 10 Signs Your Cat is Having a Veterinary Emergency | Anicira – https://anicira.org/resources/10-signs-your-cat-is-having-a-veterinary-emergency/
13. Maury County Veterinary Hospital – https://www.maurycountyvet.com/site/blog/2023/07/31/cat-breathing-heavy–what-can-do
14. Why is my cat’s breathing noisy? All About Nasopharyngeal Polyps – The Animal Medical Center – https://www.amcny.org/blog/2022/08/31/why-is-my-cats-breathing-noisy-all-about-nasopharyngeal-polyps/
15. What Is Reverse Sneeze in Cats? – https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/what-is-reverse-sneeze-cats
16. Reverse Sneezing in Cats: Why is My Cat Doing it and is it Normal? – Lake City Animal Hospital – https://lakecityanimalhospital.com/blog/reverse-sneezing-in-cats/
17. The Cat’s Meow! Caterwauling in Cats | VCA Animal Hospitals – https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/the-cats-meow-caterwauling-in-cats