Why Cats Snore And When You Need To Be Concerned

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Why Cats Snore And When You Need To Be Concerned

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Forget sleeping like a baby, I wish I could sleep as well as any cat. Our feline friends have the incredible ability to fall asleep just about anywhere, and they always look so content snoozing in their favorite spots. Every now and then, you might even catch your cat snoring. Cats snore just like people do. Sometimes their sleepy sounds are perfectly normal, and other times, they can be cause for concern.

If your cats snore—whether it’s all the time or only occasionally—it’s best to know exactly what’s going on. Here’s a breakdown of why cats snore and when it can point to a problem.

When Snoring Is Nothing To Worry About

In most scenarios, your cat’s snoring is perfectly normal. According to Pet MD, snoring happens when there’s some kind of pressure or blockage related to the nasal passages.

Those words can sound bad, but the issue is usually temporary and harmless. It could be that your cat fell asleep in an awkward position. Depending on the way their neck is turned, there could be a little bit of pressure put on their nasal passages. If you gently move your cat into a flatter or straighter position, the snoring could stop.

There are also cats that snore because of their weight. An obese cat is more likely to snore than a skinny cat because of their extra weight. The best thing to do for these kitties is to get them on the right feeding routine so they can lose a little weight.

Besides excess weight, your cat could be snoring because of their breed. Brachycephalic cats, the cats with “smooshed” faces, have shortened nasal passages. This makes them more prone to snoring.

When Snoring is a Red Flag

While most cat snores are harmless, it’s also important to know that snoring can be a sign of some kind of medical problem. It will be impossible to pinpoint the exact issue without help from a vet, but the bad kind of snoring is almost always accompanied by other symptoms.

If your cat has discharge coming from their eyes or nose, their snoring could be a sign of a respiratory infection.

Sucking in air quickly, panting, and coughing are also signs of respiratory problems. It might sound like your cat is snoring all the time, even when they’re awake.

If your cat shows signs of irregular breathing even when they’re awake, it could also be because there’s something blocking their nasal canal. It could be a benign polyp, tumor, or even a foreign object like a small stone or blade of grass.

You should also pay attention to your cat’s overall energy and appetite. A sudden or gradual loss of appetite or unusual lethargy can often be symptoms that accompany regular snoring. There are too many potential causes to list, but these symptoms always warrant a chat with a vet.

The Bottom Line

If your healthy, happy cat snores when she sleeps, it’s most likely nothing to worry about. You can try adjusting her sleeping position, but her cute little snores aren’t hurting her.

When your cat snores regularly when she’s asleep and also shows physical symptoms when she’s awake, however, it’s best to speak to a vet. Symptoms including irregular breathing, coughing, lethargy, and lack of appetite could be signs that there’s something serious behind those snores.

REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP, MICROCHIP YOUR PETS & SPAY AND NEUTER!

Related Video: VIDEO: DO NOT DISTURB! – Cat Napping in Progress

VIDEO: DO NOT DISTURB! – Cat Napping in Progress

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By JessiCAT|2020-08-26T11:43:33-04:00February 19th, 2020|Categories: Awwdorable, Education, Mews|Tags: Cat Health, cat snoring, cat tips, Cole, health, Marmalade|1 Comment

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One Comment

1. Jan Johnston February 19, 2020 at 11:05 pmLog in to Reply

   My 15 1/2 year old cat sometimes purr snores. She purrs on the inhale, and on the exhale. She doesn’t do it for very long, and it looks like she’s dreaming. It must be a happy dream! She’s very healthy, and her scruffy coat is now filled out and beautiful. Her skin condition has finally cleared up completely. Gracie lived her whole life outside, until she found me in January 2018. She was chipped, and I found her previous owner. Gracie lived outside, because the lady’s children were violently allergic to cats! That lady lives in another state now, and burst into tears when she found out Gracie was still living and would be loved and taken care of INSIDE! Gracie Mae just can’t believe how her life has changed…never hungry, never thirsty, never too hot or too cold, soft beds, toys and brother and sisters. Her only disappointment in life is that she’s not allowed to run the household, and everybody in it! She’s a good girl, and has learned how to return the love shown to her. She watches the other cats closely, and now rubs on my legs, gives me buntings when she wants attention and gives kitty kisses! She also wants her goodnight kissies, and pouts if I forget! Life is good!

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