Why is my cat coughing, retching, and stretching out her body?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 6 years and 5 months old
My cat has been making this noise for about a week now and we're a little concerned. She goes down on her front and it looks like she's retching but it sounds like a bad cough.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 15th, 2018
Lola needs to see a vet right away. I would be concerned too. She is most likely stretching out like that due to discomfort/pain. Coughing is not normal in cats (every so often is probably OK but not consistent) and usually indicates a underlying problem. Some possibilities: 1. asthma or bronchitis 2. heart disease 3. diaphragmatic hernia 4. cancer 5. parasites (like lungworms or heartworms) Those are the ones I can think of right off the top of my head. I strongly suggest you get her to your vet for an exam as soon as you can. Probably not an emergency but I would do it in the next 24 hours or so. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 16th, 2018
IT could be due to bruising to the chest and lungs, if the coughing do not resolve within a few days i recommend taking her to the vet in order to get it checked, there could be some more serious damage in the lungs or thorax that might require treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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