Cat Health • Respiratory

My cat is coughing: hairball or asthma?

Coughing in cats is often mistaken for “trying to bring up a hairball.” Repeated dry cough, wheezing or crouching with the neck extended can indicate lower-airway disease such as feline asthma.

Veterinarian reviewedUpdated Aug 20, 2026
Quick answer

If the episode repeatedly ends without producing hair or vomit, record a video and discuss it with your veterinarian. Open-mouth breathing is an emergency.

What does coughing look like?

A coughing cat may crouch low, extend the neck and make repeated expiratory efforts. Vomiting usually includes abdominal contractions and often produces fluid, food or hair. Video is extremely helpful because episodes can look similar in words.

What is feline asthma?

Feline asthma involves inflammation and narrowing of the lower airways. Cats may cough, wheeze or have increased breathing effort. Diagnosis can involve examination, chest radiographs and additional tests to rule out other respiratory disease.

Emergency: open-mouth breathing, blue/gray gums, severe breathing effort, collapse or inability to settle requires immediate veterinary care.

Related VetWel guides

See cat sneezing and nasal discharge and how to recognize abnormal breathing.

Veterinarian Nazif Oben Akşemsettinoğlu
Veterinarian Nazif Oben AkşemsettinoğluVetWel Founder & Veterinary Consultant