Asthma in cats – signs and when to see a vet

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. Asthma is a respiratory condition in cats.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your cat rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Asthma is also known as feline asthma and chronic bronchitis.^[1]^[2] Asthma in cats can cause life-threatening asthma attacks.^[1]^[2] Common signs include coughing, wheezing and noisy breathing.^[1]

Signs

Persistent coughing, often in short bouts
Coughing that can come and go and sometimes cause vomiting
Fast breathing
Open-mouthed breathing or panting
Noisy breathing
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Severe difficulty breathing

Causes and risk factors

Siamese cats
Oriental cats

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Blood tests
X-rays
Endoscopy
CT scan
Echocardiogram

How vets treat it

Anti-inflammatories
Steroids
Medication
Diet change

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Treatment for feline asthma usually include the following: Steroids help reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. They need to be given every day, ideally by inhaler (but can also be given as tablets or liquid).”
— PDSA [1]

“Your vet will take a detailed history from you, examine your cat and listen to their chest with a stethoscope. As other conditions cause similar signs, they’ll need to rule out other causes (eg, heart disease, infections).”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What is asthma in cats also called?

It is also called feline asthma and chronic bronchitis.^[1]^[2]

When should I contact a vet?

Severe difficulty breathing needs immediate veterinary attention, and a suspected asthma attack is an emergency.^[1]^[2]

How may a vet investigate asthma?

A vet may examine your cat and may use blood tests and x-rays.^[1]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages