How to Treat Cat Asthma

Feline asthma is caused by an allergic reaction causing bronchial spasms.

If your cat is experiencing coughing, wheezing or appears to be fatigued, especially after physical exercise, she may be exhibiting signs of cat asthma, a troublesome and sometimes dangerous medical condition. One of the most common causes of feline asthma is the reaction of your cat to airborne allergens. Your cat should be evaluated by your veterinarian if you suspect she has asthma. At home, you can take steps to reduce the severity or frequency of an attack and make her comfortable.

Instructions

1. Boost the humidity level in your home. Over-dried air can create a problem during winter months from furnace use or in the summer from air conditioner use. Your cat may suffer increased asthma attacks when the air is dry. Use a cool mist humidifier or let a large pot of water simmer on the stove every day to replace some moisture in the air and soothe your cat's airways.

2. Switch your cat to high quality diet. Ask your vet if your cat can be allergic to her food. Also, being overweight can greatly exacerbate a cat's asthma. Compare the labels on cat food and choose one with lower fat and fillers. Resist feeding your cat table scraps to keep him from becoming a roly-poly.

3. Take a look at your air quality and keep your cat away from cigarette smoke. Smoking can wreak havoc on the airways of a cat with asthma. Smoke outside and launder your clothing before you hold your cat. Other inhalant aggravating factors include dust and pollen, mites, mold and mildew.

4. Clean your house. Dust mites can trigger an asthma attack if your cat is allergic to them. Wash her bedding weekly with an unscented detergent and don't add fabric softener.

5. Change the litter box. In fact, change your litter brand if you've cleaned thoroughly and your cat is still experiencing unexplained asthma attacks. Some litter box filler releases dust and other allergens in the air. If you still have problems after switching - consider using plain sand in the litter box.

Tips & Warnings

• Stress can also exacerbate feline asthma. If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, he is much more stressed out than an indoor-only cat.

• See your veterinarian for an initial diagnosis if your cat is coughing or wheezing. Asthma can kill a cat if her airways become blocked. Your cat may need medication.

References

• Feline Asthma: Overview
• Feline Asthma: Triggers

Resources

• Pet MD: Cat Health Topics