Is a coughing stray cat sick or just wheezing?
Respiratory sounds like coughing and wheezing in stray cats can indicate serious conditions like feline asthma that require veterinary treatment. Without professional diagnosis, it is difficult to determine if symptoms stem from a manageable chronic condition or a severe illness needing immediate intervention.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Taking the cat to the vet2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2Contacting local shelters or rescuesDid this help you?
- 3watching the cat for 10 to 15 minutes to see if symptoms changeDid this help you?
- 4monitoring the cat to see if it goes away and he acts normallyDid this help you?
- 5giving watery food to compensateDid this help you?
- 6Checking the cat's belly for signs of constipationDid this help you?
- 7Asking online communities for visual opinions on pet wasteDid this help you?
- 8Watching to see if the cat stops and continues playingDid this help you?
- 9Checking if the cat has plenty of waterDid this help you?
- 10Keeping an eye on the cat for potential allergies or upper respiratory infectionsDid this help you?
- 11feeding the cat human food such as bologna or cheese temporarilyDid this help you?
- 12waiting until the morning to call and schedule a regular appointmentDid this help you?
- 13Calling the vet to describe symptoms or send a videoDid this help you?
- 14Waiting for a callback from the clinicDid this help you?
- 15Feeding extra kitten food for caloriesDid this help you?
- 16Waiting for an upcoming appointment with a vetDid this help you?
- 17Monitoring the frequency of the cough and waiting to see if it happens more often than once every few months.Did this help you?
- 18Checking for something in the eye like hair or dustDid this help you?
- 19Flushing the eye out with waterDid this help you?
- 20trusting that nearby store owners are providing food, water, and careDid this help you?
- 21Waiting a day or two to monitor the conditionDid this help you?
- 22Booking a regular vet appointment instead of going to the emergency vetDid this help you?
- 23Checking for eye discharge or behavioral changes like itching and deeper squintsDid this help you?
- 24Asking online forums for visual assessments and opinions on whether symptoms warrant a vet visitDid this help you?
- 25Waiting for a vet appointment to diagnose the issueDid this help you?
- 26Gentle stroking of the neck and saying soothing thingsDid this help you?
- 27Considering surrendering the cat to a shelterDid this help you?
- 28Waiting a few days to monitor the spotDid this help you?
- 29Checking if the mark clears up or changesDid this help you?
- 30Waiting for a pre-scheduled upcoming vet appointmentDid this help you?
- 31Going to the emergency room only if breathing difficulties or distress appearDid this help you?
- 32washing the area with antibacterial soap and warm waterDid this help you?
- 33waiting to see if swelling stays or gets worse before going to urgent careDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I've never seen nipples like this on a male cat. Has anyone ever encountered this on a male, and if so does anyone know what the cause might be?”source ↗
“But this morning, when I went out to let him out of his overnight digs, he started this barking noise.”source ↗
“Would we be better off neutering him and getting him to a shelter for someone who can keep him inside and do asthma treatments?”source ↗
“Worry that there aren’t a lot of adopters for 4-5yo cats with health needs.”source ↗
“My cat dropped tears”source ↗
“I don't think there's a problem in her eyes.”source ↗
“Please help. Should I take him to the emergency vet?”source ↗
“is this laboured breathing and should I take her to the vet?”source ↗
“he’s been eating less food, especially wet food (i get friskies purina) and now he does this cough thing throughout the day. what should i do and do i need to take him to the vet?”source ↗
“Its a street cat making coughing or wheezing i can't tell”source ↗
“Soll ich sie zum Tierarzt bringen, oder darauf vertrauen, dass der Laden sich um das Schätzchen kümmert?”source ↗
“This dot on her nose developed in the past week or so.”source ↗
“I am going to the vet in a few days again anyway and asking them. In the meantime, should I panic, or could this just be a freckle or cat acne?”source ↗
“There is this spot in the middle of her head that's rough and not just sticky fur.”source ↗
“Her bald spots look really dirty and brown/reddish, so I'm concerned.”source ↗
“Do yall think it's worth trying to trap her to take her to a vet?”source ↗
“Just kinda worried about them, since I'll be leaving them with someone for a week.”source ↗
“Should this be something I give them a heads up about? Or am I being paranoid?”source ↗
“My partner picked up a young stray male cat tonight and the cat is displaying some behavior that I think is concerning.”source ↗
“So am I right to be concerned about this behavior and should I take him to a vet? I have already planned to call a few in the morning, dont know if I should take him to an emergency vet or schedule an appointment for later.”source ↗
“It's a medical issue. Take her to the vet.”source ↗
“Do they look bad ? I will take him to the vet not a problem just wanted some advice”source ↗
“Not mad at him, I know he as scared. Anyways, does this seem like something I should go get checked?”source ↗
“Our cat did the same thing and turned out he had asthma.”source ↗
“My kitten is making this weird sound (first time I’ve witnessed her do it). Shes long haired. Is this just a fur ball or do I need to take her to the vet?! It’s nighttime where I live so I’d need to take her to emergency if needed. First time cat owner- please help!”source ↗
“Today I am taking her to the vet.”source ↗
“I decided to take her to the vet.”source ↗
“My kitten's been dealing with a chronic case for about the last 2 months despite medication and eye drops.”source ↗
“The color doesn’t look right to me, way too dark. However unsure if it’s lighting.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 29Accidentally cut my pet while grooming do they need the vet?
- 22How to help an outdoor stray cat without a vet or money
- 2How to check a cat for injuries after a fall at night
- 6How to trap and transport an unfamiliar stray cat to the vet
- 3What to do for a paralyzed cat when you can't get to the vet
- 2How to tell if a found cat has an owner