Cat Coughing: How to Help Your Pet and When to Call the Emergency Vet 

It’s a sound that every cat owner dreads. You’re relaxing on the couch when suddenly, your cat crouches low to the ground, extends their neck, and starts making a harsh, hacking noise. Is it just a hairball? Did they swallow a toy? Or is it something more serious? 

While cats are known for being stoic creatures who hide their pain well, a cough is one symptom they simply cannot hide. Unlike dogs, who might cough for a variety of minor reasons, a coughing cat almost always signals an underlying medical issue that requires attention. 

In this guide, we’ll help you distinguish between a harmless hairball and a medical emergency, explain the common causes of feline coughing, and guide you on exactly when to head to the emergency vet.  

Is It a Cough or a Hairball?

Before you panic, it is important to determine if your cat is actually coughing or just expelling a hairball. To the untrained ear (and eye), the two can look remarkably similar, but there are distinct differences. 

The Hairball "Cough"

When a cat is bringing up a hairball, the sound usually comes from the stomach and throat rather than the lungs. You will often see your cat retching (i.e. a full-body contraction) before expelling a wet, tubular clump of fur or fluid. They also tend to swallow more with a hairball “cough.” 

Once the hairball is out, the cat then usually returns to their normal behavior. 

The True Respiratory Cough

A true cough comes from the lungs. A coughing cat typically assumes a specific posture: they will crouch down with their elbows out, extend their neck long and low (almost like a turtle), and make a dry, hacking, or wheezing sound.  

Unlike a hairball, a cough is usually "non-productive," meaning nothing comes up. If your cat is making this sound and no hairball appears, it is likely a respiratory issue. 

Common Reasons Why Cats Cough

If you’ve determined it’s definitely a cough, you’re likely wondering what caused it. While only a veterinary visit can provide a true diagnosis, these are the most common culprits behind feline coughing. 

1. Feline Asthma

Just like humans, cats can suffer from asthma. In fact, it affects between 1% and 5% of all cats. But what exactly happens in the lungs with feline asthma?  

First, excess mucus forms in the airways. After that, the airway walls swell with inflammation and can ulcerate. Finally, the airway muscles go into spasms, leading to constriction. Airway constriction leads to an inability to draw a deep breath, intolerance to exercise, coughing, and musical sighing sounds called “wheezes,” though not all these symptoms may be apparent at the same time.  

Sometimes a low-grade chronic cough is the only evident sign, but it should be remembered that a sudden asthmatic crisis can arise at any time and can represent a life-threatening event.  

2. Upper Respiratory Infections

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all wreak havoc on a cat’s lungs. Upper respiratory infections (URI) are common in cats, especially those who have spent time in shelters or boarding facilities.  

For cats with an upper respiratory infection, what may look like a cough is more likely at sneezing fit or gagging on post-nasal drip or from inflamed tonsils. This can even look like a hard, painful attempt to swallow.  

Some cats with severe discharge may even hold their mouth open to breath as their nasal passages are clogged. However, any time a cat has "open-mouth" breathing, he/she should be evaluated by a veterinarian right away as this can be a life-threatening emergency.

3. Fungal Lung Infections

Cats with a fungal lung infection will have a dry hacking cough like something is stuck in the airway. These cats usually will also have a fever and/or weight loss, and lethargy.  

This can look similar to some parasitic infections such as heartworm disease or parasitic infections such as lungworm. 

4. Heart Disease

While coughing is a classic sign of heart disease in dogs, cats with heart disease do not cough. However, with feline heart disease, owners need to look for respiratory signs such as increased respiratory rate and effort.  

This can look like abdominal effort, sitting with elbows out and neck extended, pale or bluish gum color, or even open mouth breathing.  

Any of these signs in a cat is an emergency, and they should be seen right away. 

5. Foreign Objects

Cats are curious creatures, and sometimes that curiosity leads to inhaling things they shouldn’t. If your cat suddenly starts coughing violently and pawing their mouth, they may have a blade of grass, a piece of string, or a small toy stuck in their throat or airway.  

This is an immediate choking hazard and requires emergency veterinary intervention.