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My cat is dry heaving, coughing, and sneezing. Should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 3 years and 6 months old | 8 lbs

Hello, my cat Ali has been dry heaving /coughing and congested-sounding sneezing sounds about once or twice a day for about 4 weeks. She seems 100% fine besides that — appetite is fine, she’s acting happy and normal, her litter box activity is fine. Outside of this month, she usually vomits somewhat regularly which vets have told me is no big deal. Since the dry heaving, she has vomited only a couple times and only once it had hair in it. Do you think I need to take her to the vet?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on February 1st, 2020

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 13th, 2018

    Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Fillies may have an upper respiratory tract infection along with a urinary tract infection. I would recommend having the veterinarian recheck him and consider putting him on a course of an oral antibiotic and check a urine sample for infection or other abnormalities. Many times the upper respiratory infections are viral. Duralactin with L-lysine, which can be found online, can be beneficial for decreasing the severity and duration of a viral infection. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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