Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Author: Dr Tiffany Barnsdale BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 10 minutes - short read
Has your beloved furry friend been diagnosed with asthma? Or do you have asthma and are interested in whether cats can get it too? This guide should provide you with everything you need to know about Asthma in cats.
Contents:
What is Feline Asthma?
Feline or cat asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways. It is very similar to asthma in humans and believed to also be caused by inhaled allergens that then stimulate the cat's immune system.
The immune response causes narrowing of the airways through swelling, constriction and irritation making it very difficult for the cat to breathe.
Causes of Asthma in Cats
Some common allergens that are seen to trigger feline asthma include:
Cat litter
Mould
Pollen
Household Chemicals
Essential oil diffusers
Cigarette Smoke
Perfume
Signs of Asthma in Cats
Symptoms of feline asthma can range in severity and include:
Difficulty breathing
Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath (or rapid breathing)
Open mouth breathing
Fatigue/lethargy
Diagnosis of Feline Asthma
Unfortunately, there is no single test to diagnose feline asthma (which can be very frustrating)! Your vet will do a number of tests to rule out other conditions which cause similar symptoms, like feline heartworm, lungworm, foreign bodies and respiratory infections.
⢠Listening to your cat's chest with a stethoscope
⢠Taking an x-ray of your cat's lungs
⢠Taking blood samples to look for infection, inflammation or allergies
⢠Faecal exam
It may also be helpful for your vet if you can get a video of your cat's symptoms such as an episode of coughing before taking them in for their examination.
Treatment of Feline Asthma
Cure of feline asthma rarely occurs, so treatment is used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Management of feline asthma usually involves combining a few of the options below depending on the severity of symptoms:
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids will help to reduce inflammation in the airways. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective as they directly target the airways, although they are also available in oral and injectable forms.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators help to open the airways and improve the flow of air in and out of the lungs. These are also usually given in an inhaled form.
Avoid or remove triggers
It is important to figure out what is causing or aggravating the breathing problems for your cat and remove or reduce access to them. Things to try include low-dust cat litter, using natural cleaning products and avoiding contact with cigarette smoke.
Dust-free kitty litter for asthmatic cats
The following litters are recommended where minimisation of dust and inhaled allergens is important.
Prognosis for Feline Asthma
If treated promptly and appropriately the prognosis is generally very good for cats diagnosed with feline asthma. These cats will often live long, happy and active lives.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
