Can cats have asthma? Actually, they can. If your kitty is prone to wheezing, it might not simply be a hairball. She may be among the 1 to 5 percent of cats who develop feline asthma, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Keep reading to learn the signs of asthma in cats and find out how to help your wheezy kitty.

What Is Cat Asthma?

Just like human asthma, feline asthma is a respiratory condition affecting the lower airways that is believed to be triggered by inhaling allergens and other irritants, says Cornell. These irritants trigger an immune response that causes the individual bronchi (tubes) in the lungs to constrict and the surrounding tissues to swell, sending the cat into respiratory distress.

Although cats sometimes recover from asthma attacks on their own, the situation can be life threatening, so a cat experiencing an asthma attack should be taken to a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Causes

Cats begin to develop asthma when the immune system develops antibodies to target a specific inhaled allergen, says Cornell. Then, when the cat inhales that allergen again, these antibodies go into overdrive, causing inflammation in the lungs that triggers swelling, irritation and airway constriction. As a result of all this, thick mucus accumulates in the lungs, further inhibiting the cat's ability to breathe. While exercise and stress can also trigger an attack in a kitty with asthma, Cornell identifies the following irritants as the most likely to cause an asthma attack:

• Cigarette smoke
• Fireplace smoke
• Dust and pollen
• Mold and mildew
• Household chemicals and cleaning agents
• Aerosol sprays
• Cat litter dust

How to Recognize an Asthma Attack

A cat asthma attack can be tough to spot because symptoms can easily be mistaken for a hairball, especially in the early stages. One way to tell the difference is to note your kitty's body posture, says The Spruce Pets. During an asthma attack, your cat will be hunched lower to the ground than she is when she's coughing up a hairball, with her head and neck fully extended in an attempt to take in more air. Listen for any wheezing, coughing or sneezing.

Another difficulty is that attacks might not happen that often, at least in the beginning, making them easier to dismiss as signs of something less worrisome. Other signs of asthma to watch for include wheezing or labored breathing following exercise, or exercise intolerance — meaning that your kitty easily becomes too tired for vigorous activity. This sign alone is a good reason to have your cat checked by a vet.