If you can, record your cat when they’re having one of these breathing fits. That way, you can show your vet when you take your cat in for help. Any cat can develop asthma, but it’s most common in younger or middle-aged cats, with the average age around 4 years. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Other potential diagnoses include bronchitis, cancer, and allergies. [5] X Research source Unless your cat has an asthma attack in front of your vet, it may be difficult for your vet to diagnosis asthma in cats. This is where having a video of your cat in the middle of an asthma attack really helps! While feline asthma is incurable, it is far from a death sentence. Don’t worry—things will be okay so long as you get treatment. [6] X Research source
Your vet can help you decide which form of steroid would work best for your cat. To give a steroid pill, consider hiding it in a pill pocket. Pill pockets are available online or at your local pet store.
Load the cartridge with the prescribed drug into the inhaler. Press twice on the inhaler to fill the spacer with the drug. Hold the mask up to your cat’s mouth and let them breathe for 7-10 seconds. Monitor your cat for 5-10 minutes to confirm that the drug is working and their symptoms are gone.
Don’t radically change your cat’s diet or daily routine without consulting a vet first—especially if you suspect they may have asthma. A vet will be able to determine if your cat needs to lose weight or not.
Avoid heavy perfumes and don’t smoke indoors. When you cook any foods with strong odors, turn your exhaust on and open windows. Use dust-free litter. Dustier, fluffier litter can irritate your cat’s lungs. Ask your vet about allergy testing. Many cats have asthma triggers based on allergies. Getting an allergy test may be a little expensive, but it could pay for itself in the long run when it comes to keeping your cat comfortable and safe.
Shake the MDI and attach it to the spacer. Press down on the MDI to deliver the prescribed dose into the spacer. Place the unit on your cat’s face and wait for your cat to take about 10 to 15 breaths.
It can be painful to watch your cat go through something like this. Pet them and speak softly to them if you’d like. However, if your cat shies away from you wen you touch them, just let them be.
So long as your cat continues to eat, drink water, and their breathing issue isn’t getting progressively worse, this is not an emergency. If they stop eating, drinking, or their wheezing gets so bad they can’t breathe or their lips turn blue, take them to an emergency vet ASAP. [14] X Research source Don’t put this off for too long. If your cat gets worse, feline asthma can be potentially life threatening if it is left untreated.
