Cat Wheezing: Causes and When It Is Urgent

Cat wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound when your cat breathes, often heard while breathing out. It can come and go, and it is easy to confuse with hairball hacking. Wheezing usually means the airways are narrowed or irritated, so it is worth paying attention to.

Wheezing vs. hairball hacking

• Wheezing or coughing: your cat often crouches low with the neck stretched out and makes a dry hacking sound, but nothing comes up
• Hairball: your cat retches and usually brings up a hairball or fluid

Many cats thought to have “hairball problems” actually have asthma. A video helps your vet tell the difference. See why is my cat coughing?

Common causes

• Feline asthma, an inflammatory airway disease. See asthma in cats.
• Upper respiratory infections
• Allergies to dust, smoke, pollen or scented products
• Heartworm-associated respiratory disease. See heartworm in cats.
• Lungworm or other parasites
• Foreign objects inhaled into the airway
• Heart disease, which can cause breathing changes. See heart disease in cats.
• Growths in the nose, throat or lungs

Emergency signs

Go to an emergency vet right away if your cat:

• Breathes with an open mouth
• Has fast or labored breathing, with the belly working hard
• Has blue, gray or pale gums
• Wheezes constantly or cannot settle
• Collapses

Breathing problems in cats can become life-threatening. See why is my cat breathing fast?

What to record for your vet

• A video of the wheezing episode
• How often it happens and how long it lasts
• Possible triggers, like new litter, sprays, candles or smoke
• Resting breathing rate, counted while your cat sleeps

Reduce airway irritants at home

• Use low-dust, unscented litter
• Avoid smoking indoors
• Skip aerosol sprays, plug-in air fresheners and scented candles
• Keep the home dust-free and well ventilated

Some scented products and essential oils are also toxic to cats. See are essential oils safe for pets?

What the vet may do

Your vet may listen to the lungs, take chest X-rays and run blood or heartworm tests. Treatment depends on the cause and may include medications prescribed by your vet.

How an online vet can help

A video of your cat wheezing can help a vet judge urgency and decide whether you need an emergency visit or a regular appointment. See how to take photos and videos for a telehealth vet.

Frequently asked questions

Is cat wheezing an emergency?

Occasional, brief wheezing is not always an emergency, but it should be checked. Open-mouth breathing or labored breathing is an emergency.

Can cat asthma be cured?

It usually cannot be cured, but many cats live comfortable lives with treatment and fewer triggers.

Did you hear your cat wheeze? Ask a vet

Talk to a licensed vet 24/7, even on holidays, by chat, voice call or video call. Your first month is free with code FREEMONTH, then US $9.99/month, at nyptelevet.com/. One membership covers up to 6 pets, and you can cancel anytime.

Our vets can’t prescribe medication, but they’ll tell you what’s likely needed and when an in-person visit is the next step.

Sources

• Feline Asthma: What You Need to Know, Cornell Feline Health Center
• Coughing in Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals
• Dyspnea (Difficulty Breathing), Cornell Feline Health Center