Why Is My Cat Coughing and Vomiting
If your cat is coughing and then vomiting, it can be difficult to tell whether the two symptoms are connected. Cats may gag or vomit after a strong coughing episode, while some conditions can cause both coughing and vomiting-like symptoms. In other cases, what looks like vomiting may actually be coughing up mucus or a hairball.
Understanding the difference can help you decide what to watch for and when your cat needs veterinary care.
Can Coughing Make a Cat Vomit?
Yes. A forceful coughing episode can trigger gagging and abdominal contractions that may look like vomiting. A cat may cough several times, extend its neck, gag, and then bring up foam, mucus, or stomach contents.
However, repeated coughing followed by vomiting should not automatically be attributed to a simple stomach problem. Respiratory disease, parasites, allergies, asthma, infections, and other conditions can sometimes cause coughing and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Why Is My Cat Coughing and Vomiting?
There are several possible explanations for these symptoms. The cause cannot be determined from coughing and vomiting alone, so pay attention to what happens before, during, and after each episode.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections can cause coughing and other symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge, congestion, reduced appetite, or lethargy.
A cat that has significant respiratory irritation may cough repeatedly and then gag or vomit because of the force of the coughing.
Feline Asthma
Feline asthma is an important possible cause of recurring coughing. Cats with asthma may crouch low to the ground, extend their neck, or make repeated coughing movements.
Some cats may appear to be trying to bring up a hairball even though the problem is actually coming from the lower airways.
If your cat has difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, or pronounced effort when breathing, seek veterinary attention immediately.
Hairballs
Hairballs can cause gagging, retching, and vomiting. A cat may cough-like or gag before bringing up a hairball.
However, frequent episodes that look like hairball problems should not simply be assumed to be hairballs. Persistent coughing deserves veterinary evaluation, particularly if no hairball is produced.
Irritation From Dust, Smoke, or Other Airborne Materials
Cats can develop airway irritation after exposure to substances such as cigarette smoke, dusty litter, strong fragrances, aerosol sprays, or other airborne irritants.
Removing potential irritants from your cat’s environment may help reduce exposure, but ongoing coughing should still be discussed with a veterinarian.
Parasites
Certain parasites can affect a cat’s respiratory system and cause coughing. Depending on the parasite and the severity of the infection, other signs may also occur.
Outdoor cats and cats that hunt or have exposure to infected animals can have different parasite risks than strictly indoor cats.
Swallowed Foreign Material
If a cat swallows something it should not, it may develop gagging, vomiting, coughing, or difficulty swallowing.
Foreign objects can sometimes cause serious complications. If you suspect your cat swallowed string, ribbon, plastic, or another object, contact a veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for it to pass.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Some stomach or intestinal problems can cause vomiting while a separate respiratory issue causes coughing. In this situation, the two symptoms may happen around the same time without having the same underlying cause.
This is one reason the pattern and frequency of the symptoms are important.
Is It Coughing or Vomiting?
One of the most useful things you can do is determine what your cat is actually doing.
During coughing, a cat may:
- Crouch with its neck extended
- Make repeated forceful respiratory movements
- Cough several times in succession
- Produce mucus or foam
- Appear to gag after coughing
During vomiting, a cat may:
- Lick its lips or drool
- Show signs of nausea
- Have repeated abdominal contractions
- Bring up food, liquid, bile, or other stomach contents
- Continue to act nauseated afterward
Cats can also have episodes that are difficult to classify. Recording a video of an episode can be extremely useful for your veterinarian.
When Should You Call a Veterinarian?
Contact your veterinarian if your cat’s coughing or vomiting is persistent, recurrent, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Veterinary evaluation is particularly important if your cat:
- Has difficulty breathing
- Breathes with its mouth open
- Has blue, gray, or unusually pale gums
- Becomes very weak or unresponsive
- Repeatedly vomits
- Cannot keep food or water down
- Has blood in vomit or coughed-up material
- Stops eating or drinking
- Has significant weight loss
- Develops a persistent cough
- May have swallowed a foreign object
Breathing difficulty is an emergency. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms resolve on their own.
What Can You Do at Home?
If your cat is otherwise comfortable and the episode was brief, monitor closely and keep the environment calm.
You can:
- Keep your cat away from cigarette smoke and other airborne irritants.
- Avoid using strong fragrances or aerosol products around your cat.
- Make sure fresh water is available.
- Monitor eating, drinking, urination, and bowel movements.
- Note how frequently coughing or vomiting occurs.
- Record a video if another episode happens.
- Contact your veterinarian if symptoms continue or return.
Do not give your cat human cough medicine, anti-nausea medication, or other medication unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it. Some human medications can be dangerous for cats.
What Information Should You Give Your Veterinarian?
Before an appointment, note when the symptoms started and how often they occur.
Useful information includes:
- How many times your cat coughed
- How many times your cat vomited
- What came up
- Whether a hairball was produced
- Whether coughing happens before vomiting
- Whether your cat is eating normally
- Any sneezing or nasal discharge
- Changes in breathing
- Recent changes in food or litter
- Possible exposure to smoke, chemicals, or fragrances
- Whether your cat goes outdoors
- Any possible exposure to parasites or foreign objects
A video of the episode can also help your veterinarian distinguish coughing from vomiting or gagging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cat coughing and vomiting?
A cat may cough forcefully enough to trigger gagging or vomiting, but coughing and vomiting can also occur because of different underlying problems. Respiratory infections, asthma, airway irritation, hairballs, parasites, and gastrointestinal problems are among the possibilities.
Can a cat cough up a hairball?
Cats commonly gag or retch when trying to bring up a hairball. What looks like a hairball episode can sometimes actually be coughing, particularly when no hairball is produced. Repeated coughing should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Should I worry if my cat coughs and vomits once?
A single brief episode in an otherwise healthy-acting cat may not indicate a serious problem, but monitor your cat closely. If coughing or vomiting repeats, becomes more severe, or is accompanied by breathing difficulty, weakness, appetite loss, or other concerning signs, contact a veterinarian.
Can asthma cause coughing and vomiting in cats?
Asthma can cause coughing and gagging-like episodes in cats. A cat with recurring coughing should be evaluated by a veterinarian so the underlying cause can be identified.
Conclusion
If your cat is coughing and vomiting, the first step is to determine whether the episode is true vomiting, coughing followed by gagging, or a combination of symptoms. Several conditions can produce similar-looking episodes, so the symptoms alone are not enough to identify the cause.
Pay attention to how often the episodes occur and whether your cat has other signs such as breathing difficulty, appetite changes, weakness, or repeated vomiting. Persistent or recurring coughing deserves veterinary attention, while any obvious breathing emergency requires immediate veterinary care.