Why Is Your Cat Coughing? A Vet Explains Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention

Most cats don’t cough without a reason. Here’s what to look for and when to act.

A cat coughing once every few months is probably nothing to worry about. But repeated coughing? That’s different. According to Dr. Sarah Wooten, a small animal veterinarian with over 20 years of experience, “most cats do not cough repeatedly unless something is wrong.”

Understanding what’s behind a feline cough starts with recognizing what coughing actually looks like, and what it doesn’t.

What Coughing Looks Like in Cats

A coughing cat will typically stop what they’re doing, extend their neck forward, and produce one or several coughs. They won’t move during the episode. They’ll either stand or sit in place until it passes.

There are two types of coughs. A dry cough sounds hacking or honking, sometimes wheezy. Cats usually don’t swallow afterward. A wet cough sounds like there’s fluid in the chest or throat, sometimes with crackles or bubbles. With a wet cough, cats will often swallow once the episode ends.

Coughing is frequently confused with other behaviors. Vomiting involves whole body heaves and produces something (food, fluid, hairball). Reverse sneezing is a rapid inhalation through the nose that resolves quickly. Retching may produce a small amount of fluid. If you’re unsure which your cat is doing, grab your phone and record a video. It’s one of the most helpful things you can bring to your veterinarian.

Common Causes of Coughing in Cats

The list is long, which is why diagnosis requires professional evaluation rather than guesswork.

Respiratory infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal) are among the most common causes. Affected cats often show other signs: fever, runny eyes, nasal discharge.

Asthma triggers airway narrowing and swelling. Interestingly, cats with asthma don’t always cough. They’re more likely to wheeze, breathe quietly, or sometimes breathe with their mouth open. But coughing can occur.

Pleural effusion refers to fluid accumulating around the lungs. When that space fills up, it creates pressure on the airways and can cause coughing. Causes range from infection to cancer to parasites.

Inhaled foreign objects, like a blade of grass, can lodge in the throat or nose and trigger coughing, violent sneezing, or even a bloody nose.

Cancer affecting the respiratory tract or chest lymph nodes is another possibility. Coughing is often one of the first symptoms owners notice.

Nasopharyngeal polyps are inflammatory growths in the nose, mouth, or throat that can become irritated and cause coughing.

Pneumonia can cause coughing, though affected cats are more likely to be quiet, feverish, hiding, and off their food.

Bronchitis and trauma (physical, chemical, or thermal) to any part of the respiratory tract can also be culprits.

Heartworms are rare in cats but worth mentioning. Even a single worm can cause irritation in the chest and trigger coughing. One important distinction: unlike dogs, cats with other forms of heart disease don’t typically cough.

Check the Environment First

Before rushing to the vet, look around. Sometimes the trigger is obvious.

Did you switch to a dusty cat litter? Do you use essential oil diffusers, scented candles, incense, or strong cleaning products? Any airborne irritant can provoke coughing in a sensitive cat. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of asthma and bronchitis in cats.

If you can identify a specific trigger, eliminate it and see if the coughing resolves. If it doesn’t stop, or if your cat seems unwell in any other way, schedule a veterinary appointment.

What to Expect at the Vet

Expect blood work, including a heartworm test, and chest radiographs (typically three views). Depending on findings, additional testing may follow. For suspected upper respiratory infections, your vet may skip testing and start treatment directly.

Dr. Wooten encourages owners to ask questions: “What are we looking for? What do you suspect? How will this help you treat my cat?” Sometimes a routine test isn’t necessary for your specific situation. Asking questions is your right and responsibility.

Prevention

Keep your cat away from smoke. Avoid essential oil diffusers, incense, and harsh cleaning products in their environment. Schedule yearly checkups to catch problems early. Keep vaccinations current against respiratory diseases. Use heartworm prevention and parasite control, since roundworms can also migrate to the lungs and cause coughing.

A coughing cat deserves attention. The sooner you identify the cause, the better the outcome.

Based on “Why is Your Cat Coughing? A Vet Explains How to Help” by Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM (November 2025).