How to Help Your Cat Breathe More Easily

When a cat catches a cold, it can develop respiratory problems that may gradually become more severe. If your cat is having trouble breathing, it is important to take them to the vet to identify the cause of the blockage and start treatment. Furthermore, it will be very helpful for you to learn how to recognize signs of breathing difficulty, how to alleviate symptoms, and to understand more about common respiratory problems in cats.

Watch for nasal discharge symptoms. A runny nose is a common symptom in cats. The discharge from around the nose may be mucus or mucopurulent material, which is mucus mixed with pus. This mucus is usually yellow or green in color.

• Some cats with nasal allergies may have clear discharge from both nostrils, but this sign can be hard to detect if the cat frequently licks the discharge.
• If you notice nasal discharge in your cat, pay close attention to whether the mucus is coming from one or both nostrils. If both nostrils are discharging mucus, the cat may have an infection or allergy. If mucus is only coming from one nostril, this suggests a foreign object or infection in that nostril.

Watch for Sneezing Signs. When cats have nasal congestion, they cannot blow their noses like humans do, so sneezing is their only way to clear their nostrils.

• If you notice your cat sneezing frequently, it is important to take them to the vet to determine the cause. Your cat could be suffering from an allergy or infection. However, a vet will need to examine the discharge to accurately diagnose the problem.

Identify the Cause of Nasal Congestion. Cats commonly experience nasal congestion due to rhinitis (inflammation inside the nasal cavities causing mucus production), infections (such as feline flu caused by a virus), or inhaling foreign objects (like grass or hair when sniffing around).

• The most common causes of nasal and sinus congestion in cats are viruses. The viruses most frequently causing nasal and sinus issues are Feline Herpesvirus (FVR) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV). These viruses can also cause swelling, redness, and discharge from the eyes, along with mouth ulcers and excessive drooling. You can help prevent these viruses by vaccinating your cat regularly and avoiding contact with sick cats. Viral diseases in cats often suppress the immune system, creating an opportunity for secondary bacterial infections to take hold, which can be very dangerous. These infections can lead to severe respiratory illness, nasal discharge, and a loss of appetite. While viral infections are generally treatable, bacteria are harder to eliminate, so it's best to visit a qualified vet if your cat shows symptoms.
• These conditions often cause breathing difficulties as mucus builds up in the cat's nose. Similar to humans with a cold, this mucus can block the nostrils and lead to breathing problems.

Measure Your Cat’s Respiratory Rate. The number of breaths a cat takes per minute is called the respiratory rate. The normal respiratory rate for cats is typically between 20-30 breaths per minute. Both the frequency and the manner of breathing can indicate if there are respiratory issues.

• There is some variation in what is considered normal. For example, a cat breathing 32 times per minute can still be considered healthy and not showing any abnormalities.
• However, you should be concerned if your cat is breathing 35-40 times per minute or is having labored breathing.

Observe for Labored Breathing Signs. The normal breathing movements of a cat are usually very subtle and hard to detect, so if your cat is having difficulty breathing, it is a clear sign of a problem. Labored breathing means that the cat is making an effort to move its chest or abdomen to inhale or exhale air.

• To check if your cat is breathing normally, the best method is to focus on a specific area (like the chest) and observe if it rises and falls gently.
• The abdomen is usually not involved in the inhalation process, so if your cat’s abdomen is expanding and contracting while breathing, this is a sign of an abnormality. Additionally, if your cat's chest appears “tight,” the breathing movements are prolonged, or the abdomen moves with every breath, your cat is likely having breathing difficulties.

Observe the 'air-gulping' posture. Cats that are struggling to breathe often assume an 'air-gulping' position. Typically, they sit or lie down with their elbows extended away from their body, their head and neck stretched forward to open the airway.

• Cats in this posture usually have their mouth open and start to pant.

Identify signs of distress. Cats experiencing difficulty breathing often feel distressed. To determine if your cat is suffering, observe their facial expression. You may notice your cat looking anxious, with their mouth corners drawn back and signs of grimacing. Some distress signals to watch for include:

• Dilated pupils
• Ears flattened against the head
• Whiskers pulled back
• Aggressive behavior when approached
• Tail tucked tightly against the body

Pay attention to panting signs. Cats may pant after physical activity to cool down. However, panting while resting is not normal and may indicate a respiratory issue. If your cat is panting while at rest, you should consult a veterinarian as this could be a sign of breathing problems.

• Cat panting can also occur when they are anxious or scared, so make sure to observe the environment around your cat.

Consult with a vet about giving your cat antibiotics. If your cat shows signs of an infection (such as yellow or green mucus discharge from the nose), it's important to speak with your vet to see if antibiotics are necessary.

• If the infection is viral, antibiotics may be ineffective. However, if the infection is bacterial and antibiotics are prescribed, it may take 4-5 days for the infection to improve, so you should also seek other ways to help your cat breathe more easily.

Use steam therapy. Warm and moist steam can help loosen mucus and make it easier for your cat to breathe. Of course, you should never force your cat's head over a bowl of boiling water, as this could cause panic, spill the water, and put both you and your cat in danger. Instead, use a steam room to help relieve the congestion. Here's how to do it:

• Bring your cat into the bathroom and close the door. Turn on the hot water in the shower and tightly close the shower curtain to keep your cat away from the hot water.
• Allow your cat to sit in the steam for about 10 minutes per session. You can repeat this 2-3 times a day to help your cat breathe a little easier.

Clean your cat's nose. Naturally, your cat's nose will accumulate dirt and needs to be cleaned. You can dampen a cotton ball and gently wipe your cat's nose. Be sure to remove any dry mucus that may be stuck in the nostrils.

• If your cat has significant nasal discharge, wiping the nose regularly will make them feel more comfortable.

Ask the vet for a prescription for mucus-thinning medication. Mucus can become thick and sticky in the nasal passages, preventing your cat from breathing properly through their nose. In this case, your veterinarian may prescribe a 'mucolytic' medication for your cat.

• This medication, such as Bisolvin, breaks down and thins the mucus. The active ingredient in Bisolvin is Bromhexine. Once the mucus becomes thinner, your cat will be able to sneeze and expel the mucus more easily.
• Bisolvin is usually packaged in 5 g doses and can be mixed with food, given to your cat once or twice a day. The dosage for Bisolvin is 0.5 g per 5 kg of your cat's weight. This means you can take a pinch of Bisolvin from the package, mix it with their food, and feed it to your cat 1-2 times a day.

Take your cat to the veterinary clinic for diagnosis and treatment. Chest problems, including infections, pneumonia, heart disease, lung disease, tumors, and pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), all require veterinary treatment.

• If you suspect your cat has chest congestion, do not attempt home remedies. Delaying a visit to the vet could worsen the condition.

Understand that difficulty breathing could be caused by pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection. Toxins from bacteria and viruses can cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. This impairs the lungs' ability to exchange oxygen, making it harder for the cat to breathe.

• Strong antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat pneumonia. Cats with severe pneumonia may require supportive care, such as intravenous fluids or oxygen therapy.

Know that heart disease can also lead to difficulty breathing. When the heart is not functioning properly, its ability to pump blood throughout the body diminishes. Changes in blood pressure within the lungs cause fluid to leak from blood vessels into lung tissue. Similar to pneumonia, this reduces the lungs' oxygen exchange, making it more difficult for the cat to breathe.

• If heart disease is causing your cat's breathing difficulty, the vet will identify the specific heart condition and prescribe the appropriate medications. Your cat will need oxygen therapy to stabilize them before other treatments are introduced.

Take note that lung diseases can cause difficulty breathing. Lung diseases, like asthma, involve airway constriction that blocks air from entering the lungs. Bronchitis, another lung disease, causes the airways to become stiff, and the lung tissue thickens, making oxygen exchange harder. Asthma typically affects cats sensitive to allergens.

• Cats with asthma are often prescribed corticosteroids in the form of injections or oral tablets. These steroids are effective anti-inflammatory drugs that can help reduce inflammation in the airways. Inhalers like Salbutamol are also available for asthmatic cats, provided they can tolerate wearing a mask.
• Bronchitis can also be treated with steroids or bronchodilators, which help to relax and widen the airways.

Consider whether your cat's difficulty breathing is caused by a lungworm infection. Lungworms are parasites that can obstruct the cat's ability to breathe if left undiagnosed for a long time. A severe lungworm infestation can cause nasal discharge, coughing, weight loss, and pneumonia.

• Lungworms are typically treated with antiparasitic medications like Ivermectin or Fenbendazole.

Understand that tumors can lead to difficulty breathing. Lung cancer or tumors in the chest can block airflow in the lungs, reducing the amount of functional lung tissue. As lung tissue decreases, the cat may experience shortness of breath or labored breathing.

• These tumors take up space in the chest, causing a blockage in the lungs or major blood vessels. Single tumors may be surgically removed, but tumors in cats generally indicate a very serious condition. You should consult a vet to discuss treatment options.

Be aware that pleural effusion can cause difficulty breathing. Pleural effusion is a condition where fluid accumulates around the lungs. This can happen if the cat suffers from kidney disease, infections, or a leaking tumor in the chest.

• The fluid can exert pressure on the lungs, causing them to collapse. When the lungs collapse, they cannot fully expand, which makes it harder for the cat to breathe.
• If the cat is struggling to breathe, a vet can use a special needle to drain the fluid. This will temporarily help the lungs expand, but the fluid may return if the underlying condition is not properly treated.