Most of us have suffered from wheezes and difficult breathing at one time or another, often the result of a cough, it can be uncomfortable, tiring, and if left untreated, painful. But did you also know that our beloved cats can become wheezy, or even develop asthma too?

What Causes Asthma In Cats?

Asthma is chronic inflammation in the lower bronchial passageways of the lungs, and it’s estimated that between 1 – 5% of cats suffer from asthma. In cats, as in humans, it can have several causes, the most common being an allergy. Triggers can include pollen, smoke, grass, and even cat litter, and when these are inhaled, they cause a reaction that results in the labored breathing we know as wheezing.

If you are concerned, I recommend taking your cat to your nearest veterinary practice for advice.

What Are The Symptoms Of Asthma In Cats?

Cats can display a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Wheezing
  • Fast and/or labored breathing, sometimes with the mouth open
  • Coughing, often bringing up a frothy mucus
  • Increased swallowing, possibly accompanied by a gurgling in the throat
  • Weakness and lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pale lips and gums

Home Remedies For Asthma In Cats

There are several home remedies that can ease the symptoms of asthma in your cat or kitten, with many involving a change in your cat’s environment, removing things that may trigger an asthma attack.

Clean, moist air

Dry air can be a contributory factor to wheezing and asthma. Drying out the lining of your cat’s breathing passages, air that lacks moisture droplets can lead to coughing, both in our feline friends and us humans. An easy solution is to use an efficient humidifier that adds moisture to the air inside your home, creating a much healthier atmosphere for every member of the family.

Also, try to ensure that there are no fumes or irritants in the air. Paint fumes, secondhand cigarette smoke, scented kitty litter, or even strong perfume can all upset your cat’s delicate airways.

Healthy diet

Making sure your cat has a healthy diet that supports his immune system can help prevent asthma developing, and aid a rapid recovery from any coughs and sneezes. Giving a daily multivitamin supplement is a good idea, and I give my cat Vetflix Pet Vitamins. Available as a tincture, it’s easy to administer with the included dropper, and seems to taste okay – according to my cat’s reaction, anyway.

Reduce feline stress

Stress can exacerbate wheezing and asthma, and although it may seem like your cat has nothing to feel stressed about, most domestic animals suffer from stress. Although this is background stress, it’s nevertheless, affecting your pet’s wellbeing on some level. Cats, especially, like plenty of peace and quiet, somewhere safe to doze and to be able to wander where they wish. Deprive a cat of these factors, whether intentionally as with house cats, or not, and the stress levels can rise.

This can lower the immune system, increasing the risk of illness, so it makes sense that by giving your pet some space to relax, and allowing him the freedom to decide what he wants to do and when – obviously taking your own circumstances into account, you can effectively reduce your pet’s stress levels.

If your cat’s asthma is not improving, or you are concerned, give your local vet clinic a call.

Watch this video for more asthma remedies: