Dry Cough in Cats

Dry coughing in cats is sometimes just caused by hair balls. But dry cough can also indicate a serious problem. If a cat is coughing, watch its behavior and report to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

  1. Identification

    • A dry cough in a cat is simply a cough that is not accompanied by wetness or wet sounds. Wet coughing is not as common in cats, according to "Feline Internal Medicine Secrets."

    Types

    • Dry coughs may be accompanied by wheezing or become worse after the cat exerts itself physically, according to "What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You."

    Significance

    • Different types of dry coughing in cats may be signals of different kinds of problems. For instance, cats with asthma stick out their necks and chests, according to "Feline Internal Medicine Secrets."

    Cause

    • The cause of dry cough should be determined by a veterinarian. Common causes of dry cough include asthma, allergies, hair balls and respiratory parasites, according to "What Your Cat is Trying To Tell You."

    Treatment

    • Treatment for dry cough depends on the cause and is prescribed by veterinarians. Coughing that is caused by allergies is treated in cats using antihistamines. Asthma may be treated with steroids, according to The Cat Health Guide.