Cats are usually quiet, graceful and serene creatures – snoring is not something we usually associate with them! Snoring isn’t typical cat behaviour and there may be an underlying reason why they are doing it. Whether your cat has always been a snorer or whether this is a new issue, we’re going to explore all the reasons why it might be happening. We’ll also look at when to act and what vets can do to help your feline friend.
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What is snoring?
Most of us know what a snore sounds like, but why does it occur? Snoring is most likely to happen when your cat is in a deep sleep and their body is completely relaxed. The soft palate on the roof of the mouth, towards the back of the throat, relaxes and may vibrate. Vibrations can also occur in the nose and throat, creating sounds as your cat breathes. An increase in noise could be a sign that something has changed in your cat’s airways, making them more narrow than normal and affecting the way that air flows through them. Most typical healthy cats sleep quietly.
Why do cats snore?
There are so many reasons why a cat may snore. These include –
Brachycephalic features
Brachycephalic cats with flattened faces, such as Persians or Exotic Shorthairs are much more likely to snore than cats with normal anatomy. These cats have narrowed nostrils and shortened airways, which means more effort is required to breathe. As well as snoring, these cats may have audibly louder than normal breathing when awake too and could also struggle with exercise, compared to a normal cat.
Obesity
Cats that are carrying an excess amount of weight can be more likely to snore. The extra weight puts more pressure on the soft tissues in the neck, affecting their ability to breathe smoothly. This can be especially notable when sleeping. Their upper airways can be compromised meaning more effort is required to breathe. Obese cats may struggle with physical exertion and are more likely to suffer from other health complaints as well such as osteoarthritis and diabetes.
Sleep position
Does your cat like to lie in an awkward position when they sleep? If they rest with their neck over the edge of their bed, this could put pressure on their airways leading to an increased noise. The same issue may be seen in cats that like sleeping upside down or with their neck bent or tilted.
Foreign bodies
If your cat has an item of foreign material in their nose or the back of their throat this could cause changes in breathing sounds. The foreign body itself could narrow the airway but also there is likely to be associated inflammation from it contributing to the problem. A common foreign body that causes problems in cats is a blade of grass. This gets caught above the soft palate in the back of the cat’s throat after they’ve been chewing, eating or playing with grass. Many cats with foreign bodies will have other signs too though like gagging, retching, pawing at their face, not wanting to eat or drooling. Grass seeds are also well known for causing problems in our pets.
Allergies
Allergies can cause your cat’s airways to become more narrowed and constricted compared to normal. This is due to an inflammatory reaction to allergens with common examples being grass pollens, tree pollens and house dust mites. Cats with allergies may have other symptoms like excessive sneezing and watery eyes.
Respiratory infections
Upper respiratory tract infections can cause your cat to snore. Humans that are snuffly and bunged up with a cold are much more likely to snore, and the same is true with cats. The constriction of the airways due to inflammation and increased nasal secretions can lead to a change in airflow. Your cat may have other symptoms like nasal discharge, sneezing, watery eyes and a reduced appetite.
The most common causes of respiratory tract infection in cats are feline calicivirus and feline herpes virus, both of which can give rise to similar cat flu symptoms. Unvaccinated cats and kittens are most at risk from cat flu, but some cats can be carriers for these viruses and may suffer from mild flare-ups throughout their life, particularly during periods of stress.
Permanent damage to the inside of the nasal passages may occur meaning that some cats have chronic rhinitis symptoms, with persistent or reoccurring episodes of nasal discharge. Treatment is usually supportive with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics (to clear up any infections occurring secondary to the viruses) being common.
Primary bacterial infections are uncommon but may include Chlamydia psittaci, Mycoplasma felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. However, it is much more usual to see these secondary to a viral infection. Fungal infections are also a possible cause of snoring, with nasal cryptococcosis sometimes seen in cats.
A mass or growth
A growth in the nasal passage or at the back of the throat could cause your cat to snore. Growths could be cancerous, or they could be benign. One common example of a benign mass would be a nasopharyngeal polyp. These fleshy growths can partially obstruct the flow of air which could cause changes in your cat’s normal breathing ability. Polyps are more commonly found in younger cats and are thought to be inflammatory in nature but it’s not always clear why they occur.
Examples of tumours found in the nasal passages include lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Tumours are usually associated with older cats and are rare in younger animals.
Age
Some cats may snore more as they get older due to changes in the soft tissues in the back of their throat. However, obesity and tumours are more likely in older cats so it is usually still a good idea to get your pet checked over.
Tooth root abscesses
A less common cause of snowing would be a tooth root abscess. An infected tooth root could impact the nearby nasal passages. The associated inflammation, swelling and infection could cause changes to your cat’s nasal passages.
When should I see the vet?
Snoring is not typical for cats so if your pet starts doing it then you should consider getting them checked out. An urgent vet appointment is advised if your cat is showing any of the following signs –
- Lethargy
- Eating less than usual
- Nasal discharge (snotty, clear or bloody)
- Excessive sneezing
- Discharge from their eyes
- Difficulty breathing or more laboured breathing
- Weight loss
- Gagging, retching or vomiting
- Increased breathing noise while awake
- Visibly narrowed nostrils, marked brachycephalic features
It is always best to get your cat checked out if you are worried. The earlier treatment is started the better the outcome is likely to be.
How will the vet diagnose my cat’s problem?
Your vet will start by examining your cat and asking you about what symptoms you have noticed. They will have a look at your pet’s facial features, to assess whether their breathing could be compromised by brachycephalic features (narrow nostrils and a flattened face). They will check for discharge from the nose or eyes and facial swelling. And your vet will listen to your pet’s chest, and check their temperature and their weight. It is not possible to properly assess the back of a cat’s throat while they are conscious – the tongue usually ends up in the way, plus most cats dislike having their mouth opened.
Depending on your cat’s symptoms and your vet’s suspicions they may decide that further diagnostic tests are needed. These could include –
- Anaesthetising your cat to examine the back of their throat will allow them to look more thoroughly for foreign bodies or tumours.
- Swabs from the back of their throat can be taken to assess for infectious diseases.
- A nasal flush can help to collect samples from the nasal passages. Sterile saline is flushed through the anaesthetised cat’s nose to collect cells and mucus for laboratory analysis.
- Diagnostic imaging can help check your cat’s nasal passages and sinuses. Chest and neck images may also be suggested depending on your cat’s symptoms. X-rays may be recommended, but CT scans can give even more detail.
- Rhinoscopy can be used to view the inside of the nasal passage and may help with sample collection too. This involves a thin and rigid camera being inserted into your cat’s nostril while they are anaesthetised.
- Your vet may also suggest routine bloodwork to assess your pet’s organ function and look for markers of inflammation and infection.
What are the treatment options for snoring cats?
The treatment for snoring in cats is varied, because of the number of potential causes. It could include the following –
- Supportive therapy – such as intravenous fluids, assisted feeding and hospitalisation if your pet is unwell.
- Weight loss regime – If your cat is overweight, your vet may suggest a weight loss regime which could improve their snoring
- Removal of a foreign body or a polyp – while examining your cat under anaesthetic, the vet may find a foreign body which can be removed then and there. Polyps can safely be removed by gentle pulling in about 50% of cases.
- Surgery – may be required for invasive tumours or nasopharyngeal polyps. Surgery can also be used to help brachycephalic cats. Widening the nostrils and correcting an overlong soft palate can help these cats to breathe more easily. Extracting an infected tooth is usually recommended for cats with tooth root abscesses.
- Antibiotics – can be used to treat primary respiratory infections or those that are secondary to other disease processes.
- Anti-inflammatories – can help to manage the inflammation seen in many nasal diseases. These may be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (‘NSAIDs’ for example meloxicam) or steroids (for example prednisolone), depending on the underlying disease.
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy – may be used to treat cats with tumours.
- Antivirals – not commonly used but there may be an indication for them
- Or none at all – if your cat snores because they lie in a funny position while sleeping, or they have no other signs of disease, then treatment may not be required for their snoring.
Your vet will talk you through the treatment plan for your cat and be able to give you some more information on their prognosis. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet questions if you are unsure of anything.
Summary
Some cats do snore, but there is usually an underlying reason why, especially if it has started suddenly. Some cats might always have snored e.g. brachycephalic breeds with narrow airways whereas others it could be a new development e.g. a cat with a polyp or tumour. Either way, you should get your pet checked out. This is especially important if they are showing other symptoms of ill health. Your vet will be able to make a plan of action for your cat and hopefully help them to sleep more softly again.
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