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My cat is coughing and dry heaving, but it's not a hairball. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 12 years and 6 months old | 20 lbs

I'm worried about my cat syrus. He's been doing the coughing dry heaving reciently. He's never coughed up a hairball in his 12 years. He streches his neck out every time almost like he's trying to get something to come up... he does it anytime I pick him up or if he moves to much. He's the type that if u look at him he will start purring like a diesel engine and now if he gets purring to much or loud that will cause him to do the coughing dry heaving... not sure what could be causing it

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on July 20th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Syrus! What you are describing sounds like how cats cough. When cats cough they extend there neck and it looks and sounds like they are trying to bring up a hairball but they don't. The most common cause of coughing in cats is feline asthma. Cats can go in to respiratory distress with asthma. Predisposing factors to asthma are: obesity, breed (Siamese cats), using dusty litter, burning fragrant candles or people who smoke in the house. There are other causes of coughing as well. I think you should make an appointment with your Vet this week, before the weekend, because in sounds pretty severe. They will listen to his heart and lungs and may take chest X-rays to see if it looks like asthma. They will then discuss treatment. They do make inhalers for cats! Good luck!

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