Is My Cat Having Respiratory Problems?
If only your pets could talk, then it would be easier to know what it needs, right? But because they don’t, you need to be more observant and take time to know your pet so that you can identify when they exhibit abnormal behaviour.
One thing you need to watch out for is respiratory issues, which are common in cats and can be very dangerous if left untreated. Known as dyspnea, cats may have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath due to a wide variety of reasons – from swallowing a foreign object that got stuck in her throat to allergies or even infections.
No matter what the cause, it is crucial to know when your cat is having difficulty breathing so that you can give her the help she needs.
Symptoms of Respiratory Problems
If your pet is experiencing these symptoms at rest, then it might be experiencing dyspnea and may need your vet’s attention:
- Tachypnea (rapid breathing of more than 40 breaths per minute)
- Head and neck are extended in front of the body while it tries to breathe
- Persistent coughing
- Breathing or panting with an open mouth (as cats prefer to breathe through nostrils)
- Noisy breathing
- Belly and chest moving too much while breathing
- Gums appear to be shades of blue
- Foam or froth forming in the mouth
If your pet exhibits some of these signs, then it is best to bring it to the vet right away to be properly assessed and treated accordingly.
Helping Your Pet Cope with Dyspnea at Home
And because dyspnea can be very uncomfortable for your pet, you may also want to follow these tips at home to help make things better:
- Feed your pet with wet food to make swallowing easier.
- Refrain from using over-the-counter medicines, unless prescribed by your vet.
- Upon recommendation of your vet, have your cat vaccinated to help lessen the severity of respiratory infections.
- You may opt to keep your cat indoors to prevent it from being exposed to other animals or contagions outside.
- You may place your cat in the shower area where there is steam to help clear her nose and airways.
- Try to avoid exposure to dust and dirt in the meantime.
Because dust and dirt can potentially worsen your cat’s dyspnea, it is best to give her a comfortable place where she can rest. Litter boxes are an area cats frequent that can be prone to dust-build up. Fifilitter uses a low-dust formula to help your kitty avoid allergies and control respiratory diseases. It also uses a unique Silica Technology to help control odours and moisture — perfect for keeping you and your cat safe!
