Although cats frequently make a variety of noises, it can be unsettling to hear your cat grunt while breathing. Certain noises are innocuous, but others might indicate a possible health problem that requires care.
Cats that grunt or make strange breathing noises can have a variety of reasons, from straightforward nasal congestion to more serious ailments like asthma or respiratory infections. To keep your cat happy and healthy, it’s critical to know why they are making these noises.
It’s critical to take quick action if you’ve noticed your cat grunting more frequently or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like coughing or breathing difficulties. Let’s examine the potential causes of this behavior and determine when a veterinarian visit is warranted.
Breed predisposition
Within the feline family, there exist brachycephalic breeds that have been artificially bred to have a flat profile and a shortened muzzle. Round eyes, a high forehead, and a small, depressed nose all have a cute, defenseless childlike quality to them. This particular anatomy is owned by:
- Persian cat;
- Exotic shorthaired cat;
- Scottish fold, or Scottish fold;
- British shorthair.
Main problems. In addition to its adorable doll appearance, a snub-nosed muzzle causes numerous health issues, including:
- Shortened nasal passages are not able to provide normal air circulation during breathing. Thus, cold air does not have time to warm up, and hot air, on the contrary, cools down in the anatomical cavities, due to which brachycephalic breeds are very vulnerable to the effects of low and high temperatures. Sitting by an open window in winter, such animals can easily catch a cold, and in summer they suffer from overheating. A comfortable temperature for them is considered to be +18-23°C.
- A defect in the nasal septum and broken airways lead to the fact that short-faced cats constantly snore when breathing and snore in their sleep, forcefully inhaling air. It is especially difficult for the so-called "extremists" to breathe, whose facial part of the skull is excessively shortened. Such animals are often unable to eat and drink water on their own, requiring artificial feeding and watering.
- Obstruction of the lacrimal glands leads to constant lacrimation or transparent mucous discharge from the eyes, which entails the appearance of skin irritations and brown-colored "tear tracks". Such streaks are especially noticeable in white and light-colored individuals.
- The structure of the soft palate of brachycephalics also creates breathing problems. In many individuals, the overgrown mucous membrane hangs down in a fold and interferes with the normal flow of air. The problem is exacerbated in older animals with decreased muscle tone and tissue congestion. At night, such cats can literally suffocate, making a strained wheezing and grunting sound that frightens the owner. After waking up and trying to regulate their breathing, the poor creatures can experience heart palpitations, attacks of excruciating coughing and vomiting. In order to alleviate the condition, they are recommended to undergo surgery to correct the shape of the soft palate, during which the veterinarian removes excess mucus, restoring the physiological norm of the respiratory tract.
Pharyngeal (pharyngeal) reflex
Other names for this illness include "reverse sneezing" and "paroxysmal breathing." Although it does not appear to be a disease, it does look quite strange.
Not only has paroxysmal breathing been observed in cats, but also in dogs and humans.
Feline experts believe that it is caused by irritation of the soft palate, which causes a form of spasm. The animal sneezes, coughs, and grunts simultaneously while leaning on its front limbs, extending its neck, arching its back, and emitting noises similar to a noisy, short breath.
Reasons. The following can cause the condition:
- emotional state and stress;
- quickly absorbing food or drinking liquid;
- inhaling cigarette smoke, dust, pollen and other allergens;
- strong odors;
- respiratory infections;
- squeezing the throat with a harness.
Advancement and diagnosis. Normally, a cat can handle a bout of reverse sneezing on its own, but if the respiratory abnormality gets worse, the cat might be seriously ill. In particular, neoplasms growing in one or more respiratory tract parts cause a progressive increase in symptoms. Only if the tumors grow too big and show symptoms externally, or if they enter the decay phase and start to bleed, will the owner be able to make the diagnosis on their own. X-rays and ultrasound diagnostics will help clear any confusion.
Allergic manifestations
Pets with tails are not unusual among them. When an allergen enters the body, the immune system reacts by causing swelling of the respiratory tract’s mucous membrane, irritation and inflammation of the epithelium cells, and an accumulation of exudate in the bronchi. Consequently, a cat
- experiences difficulties in nasal breathing;
- Breathes through an open mouth;
- Pubulating wheezing, grunts and coughing.
Allergens:
- dust;
- household chemicals;
- chemicals for ectoparasites;
- tobacco smoke;
- aerosols and any flavored perfumes;
- fillers for a cat tray;
- varnish products;
- pollen of flowers.
Concurrent signs and symptoms. When allergies cause breathing difficulties, they also cause:
- sneezing and watery discharge from nasal passages;
- redness of the eyes and lacrimation;
- itching and the need to constantly rub the muzzle with paws;
- redness in the throat, dry cough and difficulty swallowing;
- problems with skin and fur.
Characteristics of manifestations. Respiratory allergic manifestations can vary in severity and show up as:
- allergic laryngitis and tracheitis;
- allergic bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma.
In the latter scenario, bronchospasm, swelling of the respiratory tract mucosa, and excessive mucus production by the bronchial epithelium cause the animal to suffocate in episodes. The animal appears to be having trouble breathing at this point, wheezing and whistling as it does so.
The majority of adult cats with asthma are two years of age or older.
Techniques for therapy. The veterinarian recommends antihistamines and corticosteroids to treat allergy symptoms, as well as specific aerosols for asthma. It is important to maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity level for an allergic cat to avoid exposing it to harmful substances such as tobacco smoke and dust.
Also read:
- cat coughs as if choking;
- colds in cats;
- runny nose in cats.
Helminthiasis
An animal that harbors parasitic worms may emit peculiar noises, similar to grunting.
Toxocara. The first step in the Toxocara nematode’s development cycle is when a cat consumes the parasite’s intermediate host, which is:
Growth within the body. The larva actively breaks through the epithelial wall of the blood vessel in the intestine to enter the lungs and carry blood. Young parasites irritate the airways severely, making breathing difficult, producing a reflex cough, and feeding on the blood and tissues of the airways.
Pathogenic bacteria are added as a result of the damaging effect, which exacerbates inflammation. Some of the larvae enter the oral cavity through coughing and are subsequently swallowed once more, developing into mature worms in the intestine. The cat might feel like throwing up while the larvae are migrating into the digestive system.
Acncylostoma. Ancylostoma larvae infiltrate the cat’s body through multiple pathways, resulting in ancylostomiasis.
- simultaneously with food and water;
- when licking itself;
- through the skin with subsequent penetration into the bloodstream;
- when eating infected rodents.
Growth. The larvae that have entered the bloodstream through the skin enter the respiratory system and subsequently enter the oral cavity through coughing.
In three weeks, swallowed parasite embryos mature into adult individuals that feed on the host animal’s blood in the intestines.
Clinical picture of helminthic invasion. Infection with helminths in a cat is indicated by:
- poor appetite and weight loss;
- apathetic behavior;
- failures in the gastrointestinal tract;
- an increase in abdominal volume;
- the appearance of mucus and blood in feces;
- untidy appearance, poor coat;
- constant discharge from the eyes;
- paleness of the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Diagnosis and medical care. Laboratory tests on blood and feces are used to clarify the diagnosis. Antihelmintic medications are prescribed in the necessary dosage and may require repeated use after the type of helminth has been identified.
Watch the video of a cat’s wheezing breathing as well:
| Reason | Description |
| Respiratory infection | Colds or infections can cause a cat to grunt due to congestion or mucus buildup. |
| Asthma | Cats with asthma may grunt as they struggle to breathe during flare-ups. |
| Allergies | Allergic reactions can lead to breathing difficulties and cause grunting sounds. |
| Obesity | Excess weight can put pressure on a cat"s lungs, leading to labored breathing and grunting. |
| Nasal blockage | A blockage in the nasal passages can make it harder for the cat to breathe smoothly, causing grunting noises. |
| Heart disease | Heart conditions can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing difficult and causing grunts. |
It’s crucial to take note of the frequency and additional symptoms if your cat is emitting grunts while breathing. Even though a few odd grunts here and there might not be anything to worry about, frequent or loud noises might point to a health problem.
Allergies, respiratory infections, and even more serious conditions like heart problems can all contribute to breathing difficulties. It’s best to see a vet if you observe any changes in your cat’s behavior or breathing to rule out any serious problems.
In the end, the secret to keeping your cat happy and healthy is to recognize their typical behavior and keep an eye out for any changes. You can ensure your cat receives the care it needs and have peace of mind with a quick trip to the veterinarian.
A cat’s breathing noises, or grunts, can indicate a number of different problems, from minor annoyances like dust or allergies to more serious ailments like asthma, heart problems, or respiratory infections. Maintaining the health and wellbeing of your cat depends on early detection of potential causes and veterinary consultation.
