My cat has loud, congested breathing but acts normal. Is it serious?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Male | neutered | 10 lbs
My cat has been having some loud breathing, he almost sounds congested. All other behavior is normal, he plays like normal and seems alert and attentive. Eating is normal, just this noise sometimes when he breathes, it’s louder when he sleeps and I’m worried I might have to take him in but don’t have the money unless it’s really an emergency. Could it be dry air causing him to be congested?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 4th, 2022
My best guess based on what you have described would be that he may have feline asthma or a nasal polyp. I do think you should take him to the vet for an examination. I don't think it's an emergency unless he is really having trouble breathing but try to get him in as soon as you can. Here is a link to an article about asthma a well as polyps in cats. Hope this helps. ( https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-asthma-what-you-need-know ) ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nasal-polyps-in-cats )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on May 24th, 2019
Yes I would be somewhat concerned. You should never be able to hear a cat breathing. It is very common for shelter kitties to come down with an upper respiratory infection even a month later. The other possibility is asthma - common in cats. Underlying heart disease can also cause these symptoms. I suspect asthma is probably the issue. My recommendation is that you get him to a vet for an exam. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-feline-asthma/ )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My cat as been having on and off stuffy nose and it sometimes sounds like loud snoring. However she has no discharge and eats and plays normally.
My cat breathes very louldly. Not like wheezing or anything. But like congested sounding. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help?
My cat has heavy breathing. He is still eating, drinking, grooming, and playing with the other cats like normal. Could it possibly be allergies?
My cat used to purr all the time but the Past few monthes she hasent been purring why she also seems to be breathing wierd like mucas and stuffy nose yet the vets say shes fine.
My cat makes weird noises when she breaths it's been this way since she was about 6 months old she acts totally normal and doesn't seem sick but I just wanted to know what it might be she isn't or hasn't ever acted sick in any way I've never had her
Hello, Hope all is well and I want to thank you in advance for your time. Lately, my wife and I noticed that our kitten has breathing abit louder? It actually sounds very similar to the noise caused from nasal congestion? She has been “meowing” a lot
I've had my 6 month old kitten for 2 weeks and she has begun to breathe loudly the past two days. She sounds very congested/stuffy nose and is only quiet when she is asleep. Her breathing can get squeaky and can be heard from upstairs. She was vaccin
Haze has been sneezing a lot. Her nose is still wet. She's breathing heavy at night but not sneezing. No yellow discharge. When she sneezes I get sprayed with mucus. But nose is not running. No change in appetite or activity. I just got over a
My cat has been sick lately. Had been getting treatment for pancreatitis. He was getting so much better over the weeks then a few days ago he started sniffing and now it’s getting worse and sounds like he’s struggling to breathe and constantly sneezi
IMG_1838.MOV My cat seems to be sneezing and breathing through her mouth and no hair balls and it’s happening more frequently and my other cat is doing it to and she keeps licking her lips
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
