Cat coughing can be alarming, especially when it happens suddenly or repeatedly. Unlike dogs, cats are not naturally noisy breathers, and they rarely cough unless something is irritating or affecting their respiratory tract. Whether your cat is hacking, gagging, wheezing, or making strange throat noises, coughing almost always means there is an underlying cause. Many cat owners ask, “Why is my cat coughing?”, “Can cats get kennel cough?”, “Why does my cat make weird coughing noises?”, or even “Can cats cough like dogs?” This comprehensive article explains everything in detail, from causes and diagnosis to treatment, home remedies, and FAQs.

What Is Cat Coughing?

Cat coughing is a reflex action triggered when the body tries to expel an irritant from the respiratory system. It can originate from the throat, trachea, bronchi, or lungs. A cough may be dry, hacking, wet, harsh, or low and raspy. Some cats crouch down with their neck extended and make sounds that resemble hairball retching, which leads many owners to misinterpret coughing as an attempt to vomit.

Healthy cats rarely cough. So when you notice coughing—even if it happens only a few times—it usually indicates irritation, inflammation, infection, allergies, asthma, or a physical obstruction. A single occasional cough may not be concerning, but repeated or persistent coughing should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Why Is My Cat Coughing?

There are many possible reasons for cat coughing, ranging from mild to serious. Understanding the cause is crucial, because cats hide illnesses well, and respiratory problems can worsen quickly.

Hairballs (The Most Common Non-Medical Cause)

Hairballs are a frequent reason why cats appear to cough. When cats groom themselves, they ingest fur, which accumulates in the stomach. When too much collects, the body attempts to expel it through hacking and gagging. This often sounds like coughing, but it is usually a gastrointestinal reflex rather than a respiratory one. However, if your cat keeps coughing without producing a hairball, it may indicate a deeper problem such as asthma or airway irritation.

Feline Asthma

Feline asthma is one of the most common medical causes of chronic coughing in cats. It occurs when the airways become inflamed and narrowed, making it hard for air to flow normally. Cats with asthma often produce a dry, persistent cough that sounds like repeated hairball attempts. Other symptoms include wheezing, fast breathing, open-mouth breathing, and difficulty after mild exercise. Environmental triggers—dust, perfume, aerosol sprays, air fresheners, cigarette smoke, mold, and strong cleaning chemicals—can worsen symptoms. Asthma is a lifelong condition and requires veterinary diagnosis and treatment.

Upper and Lower Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections can cause wet, mucus-filled coughing along with sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, and lethargy. Viral infections such as herpesvirus or calicivirus often progress to bacterial infections, which worsen coughing. Pneumonia, a serious complication, can cause deep, heavy coughing, difficulty breathing, and reduced oxygen levels. Infections require prompt veterinary attention and appropriate medication.

Can Cats Get Kennel Cough?

Yes, cats can get kennel cough. Although kennel cough is typically associated with dogs, the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect cats as well. Cats may develop coughing, sneezing, fever, and nasal discharge. Kennel cough spreads quickly in boarding facilities, shelters, multi-pet homes, or anywhere animals are kept close together.

Can Cats Get Kennel Cough From Dogs?

Cats can catch kennel cough from infected dogs. If your dog has kennel cough and coughs or sneezes near your cat, the bacteria can spread through droplets. Not all cats will get sick, but young cats, older cats, and stressed pets are at higher risk. If both animals live together, you should monitor your cat for coughing, lethargy, or congestion.

Allergies and Environmental Irritants

Cats may cough due to allergic reactions or irritation from dust, pollen, mold, cleaning products, smoke, scented candles, perfumes, or strong household chemicals. Irritants inflame the upper or lower airways, causing coughing, wheezing, and throat discomfort. Cats with seasonal allergies may cough more during certain months or when pollen counts rise.

Foreign Objects in the Throat or Airway

A sudden, intense coughing episode may indicate a foreign object like a grass blade, small toy, string, or food lodged in the throat. This is an emergency because it can block airflow. Cats may drool, panic, gag, or paw at their mouth. Immediate veterinary intervention is necessary.

Heart Disease

Although less common in cats than in dogs, heart disease can cause coughing when fluid accumulates in the lungs or chest cavity. Affected cats may breathe rapidly, tire easily, or collapse. Heart-related coughing should be treated urgently.

Lungworms and Parasites

Parasites such as lungworms can infect the respiratory tract, causing deep, persistent coughing and breathing difficulty. Cats may contract lungworms through hunting or eating contaminated prey. Diagnosis requires fecal tests or imaging, and treatment involves specific deworming medications.

Why Does My Cat Make Weird Coughing Noises?

Cats can make strange coughing noises that sound like choking, honking, wheezing, gagging, or hairball attempts. These unusual sounds often occur when the airway is irritated or inflamed. Hairballs are one cause, but weird coughing noises often indicate asthma, infection, allergies, or obstruction. Any repeated or unusual coughing should be taken seriously.

Diagnosis of Cat Coughing 

Diagnosing cat coughing requires a thorough veterinary exam because coughing can be caused by hairballs, asthma, infections, parasites, or even heart disease. When you visit the vet and ask “Why is my cat coughing?”, they follow a systematic process to identify the root cause behind the coughing spells, wheezing, gagging, or weird coughing noises.

1. Physical Examination

The vet will listen to your cat’s heart and lungs for wheezing, crackling, fluid buildup, or abnormal breathing patterns. They also check for nasal discharge, fever, and signs of infection that may indicate kennel cough, asthma, or pneumonia.

2. Chest X-Rays (Radiographs)

Chest X-rays help diagnose:

• Feline asthma
• Pneumonia
• Heart disease
• Lungworm infection
• Tumors
• Airway inflammation
• Heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD)

X-rays are one of the most important diagnostic tools for chronic coughing in cats.

3. Heartworm Testing

Many owners don’t realize cats can cough due to heartworms even if they were never bitten recently. A simple blood test checks for antibodies and antigens linked to heartworm disease.

4. Blood Tests (CBC + Biochemistry)

Blood tests reveal infection, inflammation, organ issues, anemia, and immune response. Respiratory infections like Bordetella or viral diseases often show clear bloodwork changes.

5. Viral Panels & PCR Testing

To determine if your cat’s cough is caused by a contagious respiratory infection, your vet may run PCR tests for:

• Feline herpesvirus
• Calicivirus
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough bacteria)
• Chlamydia felis

These tests confirm whether cats can get kennel cough and whether your cat contracted it from a dog.

6. Fecal Examination (Parasite Testing)

Lungworms and roundworms can migrate through the respiratory system, leading to chronic coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. A fecal exam helps identify parasitic causes.

7. Bronchoscopy or Airway Wash (Advanced Cases)

In severe or chronic coughing cases, a veterinarian may use a camera (bronchoscope) to examine the airways or collect samples from the lungs. It helps diagnose asthma, tumors, chronic bronchitis, or foreign bodies.

8. Allergy Testing (If Environmental Allergies Suspected)

Cats with persistent coughing and sneezing may be reacting to dust, mold, perfumes, smoke, or pollen. Allergy tests identify specific triggers causing airway irritation.

Treatment for Cat Coughing 

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause of your cat’s coughing. There is no one-solution-fits-all, which is why accurate diagnosis is essential. Below are the most effective treatment options based on specific causes of cat coughing, weird coughing noises, and kennel cough in cats.

1. Treatment for Feline Asthma

Asthma is one of the leading causes of chronic coughing in cats. Treatments include:

• Steroids (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) to reduce airway inflammation
• Bronchodilators to open the airways during coughing fits
• Inhalers (AeroKat chamber) for long-term management
• Environmental control (reducing dust, smoke, chemicals)

Asthma-related cat coughing will not go away without medical treatment.

2. Treatment for Hairball-Related Coughing

If the cough resembles gagging or retching, your cat may be trying to expel hairballs. Treatments include:

• Hairball lubricant gels
• High-fiber food
• Hairball-control diet
• Regular grooming to reduce shedding

3. Treatment for Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections can cause coughing, sneezing, mucus, fever, and lethargy. Treatment depends on the type:

• Viral infections: supportive care, fluids, antivirals when needed
• Bacterial infections (including kennel cough): antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin
• Calicivirus or herpesvirus: antiviral drops, nebulization, lysine supplements

If the cause is kennel cough in cats or if the infection passed from a dog, antibiotics are usually required.

4. Treatment for Allergies

If coughing is caused by environmental allergies, treatment involves:

• Antihistamines
• Steroids in severe cases
• Changing to dust-free litter
• HEPA air purifiers
• Removing strong scents or household chemicals

5. Treatment for Heartworm Disease

There is no safe cure for heartworm in cats, but vets provide:

• Steroids to reduce inflammation
• Oxygen therapy during crises
• Supportive care
• Preventive medication to stop future infection

Heartworm can cause chronic coughing and wheezing, so prevention is crucial.

6. Treatment for Parasites

If your cat is coughing due to lungworms or roundworms, vets prescribe:

• Fenbendazole
• Ivermectin
• Broad-spectrum dewormers

Outdoor cats are especially at risk.

7. Treatment for Pneumonia

Pneumonia requires aggressive treatment, including:

• Antibiotics
• Nebulization
• Chest physiotherapy
• Fluids
• Hospitalization for severe cases

Home Remedies for Cat Coughing

Home remedies can help mild cases of coughing caused by irritation, allergies, dust, or hairballs — but they cannot replace veterinary treatment for asthma, heartworm, pneumonia, or infections.

1. Use a Humidifier (Helps With Dry Cough & Wheezing)

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, reducing throat and airway irritation. This is especially helpful if your cat has asthma cough, winter coughing, or dry coughing at night.

2. Steam Therapy for Coughing Cats

Place your cat in a closed bathroom while running a hot shower. The warm steam helps loosen mucus and relieve coughing caused by respiratory infections or kennel cough.

3. Reduce Environmental Triggers

Irritants are a major cause of coughing and weird gagging noises. Reduce exposure by:

• Using unscented cleaners
• Avoiding perfumes, sprays, and scented candles
• Switching to low-dust or dust-free cat litter
• Avoiding smoking indoors
• Using air purifiers to remove dust and dander

These steps help prevent asthma flare-ups and allergy-related coughing.

4. Increase Hydration

Hydration thins mucus and prevents throat dryness. You can:

• Offer wet food
• Use a cat water fountain
• Add broth (no salt/spices) to food

Dehydration can worsen coughing spells.

5. Groom Regularly to Reduce Hairballs

If your cat coughs, hacks, or gags especially after grooming, hairballs may be the cause. Reduce hairball coughing by:

• Daily brushing
• Hairball diet formulas
• Hairball lubricant gels

6. Keep the Home Clean

Dust, pollen, mold, and dander can irritate your cat’s airways. Clean carpets, floors, curtains, and bedding regularly to minimize triggers.

7. Nutritional Support (Optional)

Some supplements may support respiratory health:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (anti-inflammatory)
• L-lysine for viral infections
• Probiotics for immune support

Important Warning

These home remedies help mild irritation and occasional coughing, but not serious diseases like asthma, heartworm, pneumonia, or kennel cough. If your cat is coughing continuously or has trouble breathing, seek veterinary care.

FAQ: Cat Coughing

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