Why is my cat coughing? Allergies, asthma, and colds in cats

Allergy symptoms that are common in people, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and red or watery eyes, can appear in cats too, but the underlying cause is often very different. Similar signs in cats can stem from a range of conditions, making it difficult to tell whether they’re caused by allergies, a respiratory infection, or something else.

In most cats, allergies affect the skin rather than the respiratory system. Itchy skin, rashes, or excessive grooming are much more typical signs of feline allergies. When cats demonstrate cold-like symptoms like sneezing, eye discharge, or a runny nose, it’s usually because of an upper respiratory infection. Partnering with your veterinarian helps determine whether your cat’s immune system is reacting to an allergen or fighting an infection, ensuring your cat gets the right treatment and lasting relief. If you have a cat, it’s good to know:

• Common causes of respiratory symptoms in cats
• How to know what’s causing your cat’s respiratory symptoms
• When to seek veterinary care for your cat’s symptoms

While most allergies in cats affect the skin and aren’t easily mistaken for a cold, there is one important exception: feline asthma. This allergic respiratory disease develops when the immune system overreacts to airborne allergens, such as pollen or dust, leading to inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Asthma can cause coughing, wheezing, or labored breathing, though these signs can be subtle or intermittent.

Even though their symptoms can be similar, cat allergies, asthma, and upper respiratory tract infections are all managed differently. An online veterinarian can help you understand your cat’s symptoms, walk you through the diagnostic process, and guide you in getting them the relief they need.

There are many health conditions that can cause respiratory issues in cats. Though the symptoms of poor respiratory health can vary depending on the underlying cause, signs may include:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Eye or nasal discharge
• Red eyes, especially the membrane around the eyeball (conjunctivitis)
• Elevated third eyelid
• Wheezing
• Rapid respiratory rate, even while sleeping

Generalized signs of illness may also be present, such as lethargy or loss of appetite. Conditions that can cause upper respiratory symptoms in cats include:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Inhalant allergies (atopic allergies)
• Feline asthma

Upper respiratory infections

In people, a cold refers to a mild, contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, and the same is true for cats. A cat “cold” describes an upper respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, and sinuses, causing symptoms like sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes. While your cat’s sneezing, watery eyes, or nasal discharge may look similar to hay fever in people, the most common causes of these cold-like symptoms in cats are upper respiratory infections, most often due to feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV). Less commonly, cats can also be affected by bacterial or fungal respiratory tract infections.

Some cats are more likely to catch colds than others. Kittens, senior cats, unvaccinated cats, and those with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are more vulnerable due to weakened immunity. Cats that spend time outdoors or live in multicat homes, shelters, or rescues are also at greater risk of exposure.

Feline allergies and asthma

Feline allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to a harmless substance (or allergen) in the environment or food. Allergies most commonly cause skin inflammation in cats, which can appear as:

• Excessive scratching
• Overgrooming
• Hair loss
• Miliary dermatitis (tiny, dry, scabby bumps) and other rashes

While it’s possible for cats to develop sneezing and nasal discharge or red, runny eyes from airborne allergens, it’s uncommon, and most cats that show respiratory symptoms to airborne allergens have itchy or irritated skin as well.

When cats do develop respiratory symptoms due to allergies, it’s usually in the form of feline asthma, which is believed to result from an allergic reaction to inhaled allergens, like:

• Dust
• Smoke
• Pollen
• Mold spores

In feline asthma, the immune system reacts to an allergen and the airways become inflamed, making it difficult for the cat to breathe. Clinical signs of feline asthma include:

• Rapid breathing, even when sleeping
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Coughing or hacking

“Cats are great at hiding signs of illness, and breathing difficulties due to asthma can be surprisingly subtle and easy to overlook,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “One of the easiest ways to spot increased respiratory effort is to watch your cat’s belly. If you notice their tummy moving in and out more than usual with each breath, even when they seem relaxed, that can be a subtle sign they’re working harder to breathe.” If a cat is open-mouth breathing or panting, it is a very serious sign that requires immediate veterinary attention. Cats with severe respiratory distress may also sit hunched close to the floor with their neck outstretched. This is a characteristic posture of cats with asthma that can help with diagnosis.

Other causes of respiratory symptoms in cats

Other things that can lead to respiratory symptoms in cats include:

• Irritants, such as a grass awn, smoke, or essential oils
• Trauma to the throat or chest
• Ear, nose, or throat polyps or other growths
• Heart disease
• Various types of cancer
• Fungal infections
• Pneumonia

Hairballs are another common reason cats may appear to cough or gag. True hairballs originate in the stomach, not the lungs, but because the motion and sound of expelling a hairball can resemble coughing, it’s easy to confuse the two. Persistent episodes of coughing or gagging without any hairball being produced may actually indicate an underlying respiratory issue, such as asthma.

The likelihood of specific diseases depends on factors such as age, vaccination status, overall health, and lifestyle.

Kittens, senior cats, unvaccinated cats, and those with weakened immune systems (such as cats with FIV or FeLV) are more prone to upper respiratory infections. These infections also spread easily in multicat environments, such as shelters, rescues, or boarding facilities, and outdoor cats face higher exposure to infectious agents than those kept strictly indoors.

Although cats with allergic skin disease may be more likely to develop feline asthma in the future, most cases of sneezing, nasal discharge, or congestion in cats are due to upper respiratory infections, not allergies.

Younger cats are more likely to be affected by viral infections or irritants, while older cats are at higher risk for problems like dental disease, heart disease, nasal polyps, or tumors. Outdoor cats and those that hunt or explore dusty areas may inhale foreign material or environmental irritants. Because all these conditions can appear similar on the surface, veterinary testing is often needed to identify the true cause of respiratory symptoms.

Testing may include:

• Physical examination
• Blood tests, including testing for infectious diseases
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays
• Rhinoscopy
• Culture of nasal or oral swabs

Treatment and prognosis vary widely depending on the diagnosis.

It’s important to seek veterinary care any time your cat shows changes in their physical condition or behavior. Because there’s such a wide variety of potential causes for respiratory symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is especially important. Some respiratory conditions can become severe or even life-threatening. Emergency symptoms that call for immediate medical care include:

• Difficulty breathing,including open-mouth breathing or panting
• Blue or gray tongue or gums
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Lethargy

How an online vet can help

An online veterinarian can help you understand if your cat’s respiratory symptoms are due to allergies, asthma, a cold, or something else, and guide your next steps. During a virtual appointment, the vet can:

• Evaluate your cat’s condition and advise whether in-person care is needed urgently
• Discuss possible causes based on your cat’s symptoms, history, and environment
• Explain what the diagnostic process may involve and what to expect at an in-clinic visit

If your cat has an ongoing condition, such as allergies or asthma, virtual care also provides a convenient and less stressful way to review symptoms, adjust the treatment plan, and discuss environmental changes that may help reduce flare-ups.

Depending on the laws in your region and whether a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) can be established virtually, the online vet may also be able to prescribe or refill medications for allergic skin disease, asthma, or other conditions. Even when prescribing isn’t permitted, virtual appointments are a valuable starting point to triage symptoms, support ongoing care, and help your cat get relief faster.

How do I know if my cat has allergies or a cold?

Cats with a cold typically have sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, and congestion, sometimes with mild tiredness or reduced appetite. These symptoms usually appear suddenly and may last for a week or two. Cats with allergies are more likely to have itchy skin, hair loss, or excessive grooming. Respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, are uncommon with feline allergies with the exception of feline asthma. If your cat’s symptoms last more than a few days or keep coming back, a veterinarian can help determine whether it’s an infection, allergies, or another issue.

What can be mistaken for feline allergies?

In cats, signs that resemble human allergy symptoms (such as sneezing, nasal discharge, or watery eyes) are rarely caused by allergies. These symptoms are much more commonly linked to upper respiratory infections, especially those caused by feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus. Other possible causes include irritants in the environment, dental disease, or structural problems in the nose or sinuses. Instead of developing respiratory symptoms or red, watery eyes the way people do, cats with allergies usually have itchy skin and rashes.

How can you tell if your cat’s cough is due to a cold or asthma?

Coughing is uncommon with a simple feline cold, so if it persists or recurs, asthma or another condition is more likely. Cats with a cold usually have sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes, while those with asthma tend to show repeated dry or wheezing coughs and may breathe rapidly or with effort. Because coughing can also look like retching from hairballs, it’s best to note how often it happens and whether a hairball is produced. If the coughing continues, a veterinarian can perform tests, such as chest X-rays, to determine whether infection, asthma, or another cause is to blame.

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.