Bronchitis in Cats: Signs and When To Call Your Vet

If your cat has a wheeze or cough, they may be suffering from bronchitis. 

Bronchitis is often associated with feline asthma and can be a component of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Bronchitis in cats can typically be managed at home—with your veterinarian’s guidance—using medications and a few changes to your cat’s environment. 

What Is Bronchitis in Cats?

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi, the airways in the lungs. 

Imagine a cat’s airways like a tree with branches. The trachea, or windpipe, is similar to the tree trunk, and it branches into mainstem bronchi, which feed into each lung. Inside the lungs, the bronchi continue to branch smaller and smaller. These tiny airways are what get inflamed in cats with bronchitis.   

When the airways become inflamed this can cause a wheezing noise when the cat breathes, and sometimes a cough. There is less room for air to travel through the airways, and less oxygen is exchanged, making it harder for them to run, jump, and play without getting winded. 

This inflammation may become severe enough that it’s extremely difficult for your cat to breathe. 

If your cat is open-mouth breathing or appears to be struggling to get a breath, this is a medical emergency. If you do not already have a rescue inhaler on hand, get your cat to the nearest emergency vet for treatment. 

Symptoms of Bronchitis in Cats

Common symptoms of bronchitis in cats include: 

• Coughing 

• Wheezing 

• Decreased energy (lethargy) 

• Exercise intolerance 

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 

• Open-mouth breathing (emergency) 

• Blue tinge to gums/tongue (emergency) 

Causes of Bronchitis in Cats

Bronchitis is most common in young and middle-aged cats. 

Siamese cats have an increased risk of feline asthma and bronchitis. Cats who are overweight or who have severe dental disease are also at increased risk. 

Additionally, cats who are allowed outdoors and are not on regular parasite prevention are more likely to contract heartworm disease, which can lead to bronchitis. 

Heartworm disease in cats can also inflame the airways, a condition known as HARD (heartworm-associated respiratory disease). 

Fortunately, many cats’ immune systems kill heartworms and eliminate them from the body before they mature into adults in the heart (as they do in dogs). However, immature heartworms can still damage the lungs before the cat’s body gets rid of them, leading to inflammation and chronic signs that are consistent with bronchitis and asthma. 

The exact cause of bronchitis isn’t known, but several things can trigger asthma-like flare-ups. Inhaled irritants may inflame the lining of an affected cat’s airways, leading to symptoms. 

Inhaled irritants that may lead to flare-ups include: 

• Air fresheners 

• Plug-ins 

• Perfume 

• Essential-oils and diffusers 

• Scented laundry products 

• Pollens 

• Mildew 

• Mold 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Bronchitis in Cats

To diagnose bronchitis in cats, your vet will start by thoroughly examining your pet’s chest by listening to their lungs and airways with a stethoscope. 

They will likely want to take X-rays, as they’re one of the easiest ways to diagnose bronchitis. 

Your vet may recommend additional testing, such as heartworm testing and a fecal float to look for parasites that can affect the lungs. Blood work may be performed to screen for signs of infection or an underlying condition, and to make sure your cat’s organs are healthy before starting medications. 

Talk to your veterinarian before your cat’s appointment to find out if your pet needs to fast (have food withheld). 

When you see your cat coughing or wheezing, try to record a video to share with your vet. 

Treatment of Bronchitis in Cats

Most cases of bronchitis are managed rather than cured. Anti-inflammatory steroids are often prescribed to help open your cat’s airways and make their breathing easier. Steroids can be prescribed as inhalers or oral medications. 

Inhaled steroids are usually more expensive than pills, but they are easier on your cat’s body long term.

To give a cat inhaled steroids, a spacer such as the AeroKat Feline Aerosol Chamber is used so your cat can inhale the full dose while breathing normally. 

Fluticasone is the most prescribed inhaled steroid. A bronchodilator inhaler such as albuterol (a “rescue” medication) may also be prescribed to help open the airways during flare-ups. 

If your cat won’t tolerate an inhaler or it is too cost-prohibitive, these medications come in oral form as well. 

Prednisolone will typically be offered as an oral steroid to manage bronchitis and feline asthma. 

After symptoms are controlled, your veterinarian will guide you to taper down to the lowest effective dose. 

If your cat won’t take pills, prednisolone can be compounded into a flavored liquid or a transdermal preparation that you rub on their ear flap. Albuterol can also be given by mouth if needed. 

Heartworm-positive cats may benefit from doxycycline, an antibiotic that is effective against Wolbachia bacteria commonly associated with heartworms. 

Research is currently underway to look at the relationship between these bacteria and chronic inflammation in the lungs of affected cats. 

Recovery and Management of Bronchitis in Cats

Avoiding known triggers is an important part of managing bronchitis in cats. Using the following tips can help keep your cat healthy and comfortable: 

• Don’t use any aerosolized or strongly scented products in your home. 

• Air fresheners, essential-oil diffusers, and plug-ins should not be used in the home. 

• Consider a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter (such as the Shark Air Purifier MAX with True HEPA) to reduce air pollutants and allergens. 

• Have family members take their shoes off at the door to reduce tracking pollen into your home. 

• Avoid dusty, clay litters that may irritate your cat’s airways. 

• Try not to use scented litter or laundry detergents. 

• Consider crystal litter, like PrettyLitter, or pelleted recycled-paper litter, like Fresh News. 

• If you really need a clumping litter, choose one that is both unscented and low-dust, such as Dr. Elsey’s R&R Respiratory Relief cat litter. 

Some cats diagnosed with feline bronchitis and asthma may benefit from a hypoallergenic diet, especially if food sensitivities are suspected. 

Diet therapy can take time to be helpful in these cats, but reducing allergen exposure may help decrease inflammation. 

Examples of a true hypoallergenic diet include Royal Canin HP or Hill’s z/d. Always ask your veterinarian which diet is appropriate for your cat. 

Prevention of Bronchitis in Cats

While genetics play a role in whether a cat will develop bronchitis, weight management can help reduce the risk. Keep your cat at a healthy body condition and avoid letting them become overweight.

Consider monthly parasite prevention, especially if your cat goes outdoors. Revolution Plus and NexGard COMBO are examples of products that protect against heartworms, several intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks.