After spending ages searching the web with no luck, I’m hoping to get your take on something...
Plume, a 10-year-old domestic shorthair, has been huffing loudly through his nose (like when we sniff, but exhaling). It happens a few times a day but it isn't constant.
- no conjunctivitis or watery eyes
- breathing is normal
- really good appetite
- full of beans, etc...
His nose is very slightly damp but there's no discharge, and when he huffs, he doesn't lick his nose, so I've concluded nothing is coming out (and believe me, I'm watching him like a hawk!).
It's been going on for at least 10 days now and the symptoms haven't got any worse (neither in frequency nor intensity).
One thing to note: about 2 days after it started, he sicked up the remains of a bird (a few feathers and some weird bits) — sorry for the details! Could they be related?
I thought maybe something was stuck somewhere. He loves tuna, so I bought him some in olive oil to help lubricate whatever might be blocking things... naturally, he wouldn't touch it (grrr, he's so fussy!).
I'm totally stumped now!
It can't be something he's failed to digest after all this time, surely? 🤔 (Especially as he's eating so well!)
What would you do in my position before taking him to the vet? I'm worried but trying not to panic over every little thing like I used to, mostly for financial reasons. He seems so well! Even though I'll always do what's right for my animals, even if it's beyond my means, I've got to stop running to the vet for every tiny thing.
Thanks for your help and for reading.
Have a good day!
Translated from French
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Hi everyone and a massive THANK YOU for all your replies!!!! As of today, Plume is still doing really well. There was a short spell where he almost stopped doing it altogether... then it started up again! Grrr. I don't smoke in the house and the cats go outside to do their business, so no litter trays (I know I'm lucky, but it does mean it's impossible to check their poo). I try to air the house out every day. He doesn't snore and his breathing seems perfectly normal. No sneezing either. However, two nights in a row, he had a little coughing fit (3 or 4 hacking sounds)... he was asleep... then he went outside looking annoyed... hasn't done it since. Anyway, I'm going to pop out tomorrow to buy some worming treatment as it's been a while since I last wormed them, and I'll ask my vet about it. I'll let you know what she says... THANKS again and have a lovely day.
Hi there, I’d love to know what your vet told you about your cat? Mine is doing exactly the same thing yours was. Have a good evening.
Hi, you need to figure out when exactly it's happening – at rest or when they're active? My two do this all the time when they're chasing each other, when they get the zoomies and tear around the house like mad, but also when they want to play and I pretend to grab their toy. They flare their nostrils and snort like a bull, it's so cute!
Hi everyone and a massive THANK YOU for your replies!!!! As of today, Plume is still in top form. There was a little spell where he almost stopped doing it altogether... then it started up again! Grrr! I don't smoke in the house and the cats go outside, so zero litter trays. (Yes, I'm lucky like that, but it does mean it's impossible to check their poo). I try to air the house out every day. He doesn't snore and his breathing is completely normal. No sneezing. However, two nights in a row he had a sort of mini coughing fit (3 or 4 throat-clears)... he was asleep... he headed outside looking annoyed... hasn't happened since. Right, I'm going to go and buy some worming treatment tomorrow because it’s been a while since I last wormed them, and I’ll ask my vet about it. I’ll let you know what she says... THANKS again and have a lovely day.
Hi, any news on your cat? Mine has the same symptoms, thanks.
If I remember correctly, they told me it was nothing. Could you give us an update on your cat? Thanks.
Hello everyone and a huge THANK YOU for your replies!!!! At the moment Plume is still in top form. There was a short spell where he almost stopped doing it altogether... then it started back up again! Grrr! I don't smoke in the house and the cats go to the toilet outside, so no litter trays (yes, I'm lucky that way, but it does mean it's impossible to check their stools). I try to air the house out every day. He doesn't snore and his breathing is perfectly normal. No sneezing. However, two nights in a row he had a bit of a mini coughing fit (3 or 4 "throat clearings")... he was asleep... he went outside looking annoyed... it hasn't happened since. Right, I'm going to pop in tomorrow to buy some wormer as it's been a while since I last wormed them, and I'll ask my vet about it. I'll let you know what she says... THANKS again and have a lovely day.
Hi, any news on your cat? Mine has the same symptoms, thanks.
Hi everyone, I’ve got a 6-month-old kitten who’s just been neutered. A week before his op, whenever he overexerted himself, he’d start huffing and puffing like a little bull, and he’s been doing it every day since. I mentioned it to the vet when I took him back for his post-op check-up and they told me he was just out of breath from running around too much. Thanks for your replies!
Hi everyone, I’ve got a 6-month-old kitten who’s just been neutered. A week before his op, whenever he overexerted himself, he’d start huffing and puffing like a little bull, and he’s been doing it every day since. I mentioned it to the vet when I took him back for his post-op check-up and they told me he was just out of breath from running around too much. Thanks for your replies!
Hi everyone and a massive THANK YOU for your replies!!!!
As of today, Plume is still doing really well.
There was a short spell where he’d almost stopped doing it altogether... then it started up again! Grrr!
I don’t smoke in the house and the cats go outside, so no litter tray. (Yes, I'm lucky there, but it does mean it’s impossible to check their poo). I try to air the house out every day.
He doesn’t snore and his breathing is perfectly normal. No sneezing.
However, two nights in a row, he had a bit of a mini coughing fit (clearing his throat 3 or 4 times)... he was asleep... he went outside looking a bit bothered... hasn't done it since.
Anyway, I’m going to pop out tomorrow to get some wormer as it’s been a while since I last wormed them, and I’ll ask my vet about it.
Hi there,
The noise when breathing out suggests an issue with the lower respiratory tract. Is your cat coughing as well? Coughing can often lead to vomiting.
Possible diagnoses include feline asthma and chronic bronchitis. The prognosis for these conditions is generally quite good with proper environmental management (avoiding cigarette smoke, aerosols, and dusty cat litter). It is difficult to say for certain without a physical exam, and there are definitely other possible causes.
I completely understand the financial concerns, and as long as your cat is "just making a noise", it probably isn't an emergency, as you mentioned their breathing seems normal otherwise. In the meantime, I’d advise keeping a very close eye on them; if they show any signs of breathing difficulties, you will need to see a vet or an out-of-hours vet very quickly.
Best wishes,
Sarah – Veterinary student at the Alfort National Veterinary School. Representative for ProVéto Junior Conseil, a student-run veterinary consultancy http://proveto.net/
Hi there,
It’s possible that a tiny bit of the bird they ate (like a small piece of beak or a feather) has got stuck in their sinuses.
It’s perfectly normal for them to have a wet nose—it’s actually more concerning if it’s dry. If they seem fine otherwise, there’s no need to panic. The fragment might soften over time from the moisture in the nose and eventually be expelled during a big sneeze or a sharp exhale. If you’re really worried, the vet has the right kit to check the sinuses and throat and will be able to see straight away if something is lodged in there. Personally, I’d wait a little while longer before doing anything.
Hi there,
In my opinion, there’s nothing to do except keep an eye on things for now. Wait until the holidays are over first and see how it goes then. But if the cat is in good shape—eating, drinking, and playing, basically no changes—then there's no reason to worry.
When he's sleeping, does his breathing sound any heavier? Any snoring, for example?
If you're really concerned, you could always pop into the vet's without the cat, just to explain the situation and get their opinion. It only takes five minutes, it’s free, and it might help put your mind at rest. :)
