The Secrets Behind Cat Snoring

Cats sleep for on average 16 hours a day, so it’s highly likely that you've heard your cat snoring at some point. But you may be wondering should cats snore? Why do cats snore? And can I stop my cat from snoring? In this article we cover everything you need to know about cat snoring.

Is It Normal for Cats to Snore?

Cat snoring is normal and common. It usually happens when your cat’s sleeping and is in ‘deep’ or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. If your cat snores loudly, it could be due to their sleeping position which can compress the tissue surrounding the upper airways. But a cat snoring loudly or snoring when awake can also be a sign of respiratory issues so should be checked by your vet.

Why Does My Cat Snore?

If air moves in a straight line, with no obstructions, then it is virtually silent. If air swirls and changes direction, such as when obstructions are in its way, then it makes noise, and if air is channelled through a small hole, then it can make a whistling sound. Now imagine this applied to your feline friend and their smaller nostils.

Snoring in cats is caused by the loose tissues at the back of the throat including the soft palate, uvula and tonsils acting as obstructions to linear airflow. These tissues relax when your cat is sleeping and create partial obstructions to the flow of air. As air passes through and around them, they vibrate and create the sound of snoring. There are many things that can affect a cat’s snoring, including:

• Asthma and allergies: cause inflammation of the airways, which compresses the tissues and restricts air flow. Other symptoms include wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.
• Chronic rhinitis: long-term inflammation of the nasal passages can cause snoring. Cats that have recovered from flu can suffer from on-going inflammation caused by scarring or damage to the tissue in the nasal passage. Other reasons include nasopharyngeal polyps, usually benign and found in younger cats, and neoplasia (cancer) which is more common in older cats.
• Facial features/shape: brachycephalic cats (flat-faced), like exotic short-haired cats and Persians, are prone to snoring. Other cat breeds have an elongated palate, whereas brachycephalic cats have the same amount of tissue surrounding the upper airway, but they’re squashed into a shorter nasal passage. This restricts airflow causing the cat to snore.
• Foreign objects: cats can get objects such as blades of grass stuck in their nasal passage or behind their elongated soft palate. If your cat has something partially blocking its nose or throat it may sneeze repeatedly, paw at its face, or have nasal discharge from one side of its nose.
• Infections: viruses like Feline herpes virus (FHV-1) or Feline calicivirus (FCV) can cause upper respiratory infections. This can cause inflammation and narrowing of the throat and nasal passage, resulting in snoring. Fungal infections like aspergillosis and bacterial infections like Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause airway inflammation and irritation but are a less common cause of snoring.
• Obesity: snoring is common in cats that are obese or overweight because excess fat pushes down on the tissues at the back of the throat.
• Trauma: cats that have suffered from head trauma, often caused by a collision with a car, are more likely to snore. Head injuries often cause tissue damage and inflammation in the nose, throat or jaw. Most cats will stop snoring when they’ve fully recovered.

Should I Be Concerned That My Cat Snores?

In most cases you don’t need to worry about your snoring cat, but if they’re also showing health or behavioural signs then you should contact your vet. You’ll also need to monitor the way your cat snores. If it gets louder or more frequent it could be a sign of a health issue. Seek veterinary advice if your snoring cat displays any of the additional signs:

• Coughing, sneezing or wheezing.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Drooling.
• Lethargy or dullness.
• Nasal discharge (including blood).
• Not eating.
• Open-mouth breathing (this is a veterinary emergency – call your vet straight away if your cat is open mouth breathing or panting).
• Pawing or clawing at their face.
• Retching or vomiting.
• Swellings of the mouth or throat.

Also keep an eye out for behavioural changes such as aggression or hiding/interacting less with family members.

Can Cat Snoring Be Treated?

In most cases snoring will cause no problems and so no treatment is necessary, but if there’s an underlying health issue that’s causing your cat to snore it may require treatment.

Snoring in overweight cats can be reduced, or even completely stopped, by shedding this excess weight. This will also help to prevent obesity-related health issues.

Speak to your vet about putting your cat on a weight loss program. You should encourage your cat to exercise regularly, gradually increasing their level of activity, to help them lose weight.

If your cat has an upper respiratory tract infection or has suffered tissue damage and inflammation, the snoring should stop when they’re fully recovered. Humidifiers may help to reduce your cat’s snoring as they help to moisten the airways.

Snoring in brachycephalic cat breeds is unfortunately quite common. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight will help to reduce snoring and other health issues associated with short noses. If your cat’s finding it difficult to breathe, surgery may be required to remove some of the tissues to enable better airflow.

If you’ve never heard your cat snore before and they suddenly start to, it’s best to get them checked by your vet in case there is an underlying health problem.

Some cats are more prone to snoring than others. Like humans, cats snore due to their throat tissues vibrating as air passes through them. This is amplified when the tissues are inflamed or squashed.

If you are concerned by your cat’s snoring or have noticed any health or behavioural signs, you should get them checked by your vet. Otherwise, there's no need to worry but you will need to get used to the noise!

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.