My cat Luna has been making a whistling sound when she breathes for a long time now, almost as if she’s got a bit of a stuffy nose. She’s been doing it ever since I adopted her. I’ve mentioned it to the vet, but they didn’t seem particularly worried about it. I’d love to get your take on this, as I still find it quite strange to hear her whistling while she’s awake. I’m worried she might be struggling to breathe even though she doesn't seem out of breath and still plays away without any issues.
Thanks in advance!
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Sometimes you can't tell from the outside that there’s nasopharyngeal stenosis because the nostrils look normal, so it’s worth getting it checked out, especially if she’s always had that wheezy breathing.
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, I think it might be a polyp for my Luna too; she’s a tortoiseshell moggy and she’s always been quite wheezy. I’m going to ask the vet to check her over, as I’m worried that one day she won’t be able to breathe at all.
Out of the 10 Persians I’ve had, 9 of which were ultra-typed, none of them wheezed. However, one did have trouble breathing, so she had a rhinoplasty to remove a tiny bit of tissue from inside her nostrils because they were smaller than a pinhead. It meant she could breathe normally as soon as the surgery was finished—it was amazing. She could definitely have a polyp that’s bothering her, so I’d recommend getting a second opinion from another vet as it isn't normal. There was no discomfort or pain after the op, just pure relief, so if it needs doing, don’t hesitate for a second.
Out of the 10 Persians I’ve had, 9 of which were the extreme flat-faced type, not one of them whistled. However, one did have breathing difficulties, so she had a rhinoplasty. This involved removing a tiny bit of tissue from inside the nostrils because they were smaller than the head of a pin. It meant she could breathe normally as soon as the surgery was over – it was amazing to see. She could indeed have a polyp that’s bothering her, so I’d suggest getting a second opinion from another vet, as it isn't normal. There was no discomfort or pain after the op, just pure relief, so if it needs doing, don’t hesitate at all.
Thank you so much for your very thorough response, I’m going to take him to another vet and talk to them about it, as I don't want to take any chances.
Kind regards
Hi there,
When a cat breathes, it isn't normal to hear a whistling or wheezing sound, especially if it’s constant. However, brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats can naturally have noisier breathing due to their anatomy.
Regarding the wheezing, it could stem from an upper respiratory infection (such as cat flu or pneumonia). Additionally, some cats suffer from asthma, which can cause wheezing due to airway inflammation, or they may be sensitive to certain allergens (tobacco smoke, pollen, mould, or chemicals). Heart problems (such as a murmur or malformation) can lead to lung congestion and subsequent wheezing sounds. Finally, foreign bodies, polyps, or tumours can obstruct the airways and cause whistling; these can be identified through medical imaging like X-rays or scans.
It is therefore important to see a vet if you notice that this is affecting your cat’s breathing (and their oxygen intake), or if it's leading to a lack of appetite or lethargy.
Best wishes,
Clémentine
