The Secrets Behind Cat Snoring

Cats sleep for on average 16 hours a day, so there’s a good chance that you've heard your cat snoring at some point. A soft snore while your cat is deeply asleep is often nothing to worry about, but new, loud or unusual snoring can sometimes be linked to a health issue.

Is it normal for cats to snore?

Yes, just the same as in dog snoring, cat snoring cat snoring can be normal, especially when your cat is deeply asleep or lying in a position that gently compresses the upper airway. However, snoring that suddenly starts, becomes louder, happens while your cat is awake, or appears alongside symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, nasal discharge or difficulty breathing should be checked by a vet.

Understanding why your cat snores can help you tell the difference between everyday sleep noise and something that needs a closer look. Below, we cover:

• Why cats snore
• Which cat breeds are more likely to snore
• When to contact your vet
• What to do if your cat is snoring

Why cats snore

Cats snore when air cannot move smoothly through the nose, throat or upper airway while they sleep. As your cat relaxes, the soft tissues at the back of the throat can partially narrow the airway. When air passes through, those tissues may vibrate, creating the snoring sound you hear.

For many cats, snoring is linked to something simple, such as their sleeping position. In other cases, it can happen because the airway is narrower than usual, inflamed, irritated or partly blocked. These are some of the most common reasons your cat may snore.

Your cat’s sleeping position

Some cats snore because of the way they curl up, stretch out or tuck their head while they sleep. Certain sleeping positions can gently compress the upper airway, making breathing noisier while your cat is deeply asleep.

If your cat only snores in certain positions and seems healthy otherwise, this is usually nothing to worry about.

Your cat’s weight

A cat’s weight can also affect how easily air moves through the upper airway. Overweight cats can be more likely to snore because excess weight may place extra pressure on the tissues around the throat.

If you think your cat may be overweight, speak to your vet about a safe weight management plan.

Asthma and allergies

Some cats snore because their airways are inflamed or irritated. Asthma and allergies in cats can cause swelling in the airways, which may make your cat’s breathing sound noisier.

You may also notice symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. If your cat is snoring alongside these signs, it is best to contact your vet for advice.

Nasal inflammation

Snoring can also happen when the nasal passages are inflamed. Long term inflammation, also known as chronic rhinitis, can sometimes develop after a cat has recovered from an illness such as cat flu, especially if the nasal tissues have been irritated or damaged.

Inflammation can narrow the nasal passages, making airflow noisier when your cat breathes.

Long-term inflammation of the nasal passages can cause snoring. Cats that have recovered from the flu can suffer from ongoing inflammation caused by scarring or damage to the tissue in the nasal passage.

Upper respiratory infections

Infections that affect the nose, throat or upper airway can make snoring more likely. Viruses such as Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and Feline calicivirus (FCV) can cause swelling and irritation of the throat and nasal passage, resulting in snoring. Fungal infections, such as aspergillosis, and bacterial infections, like Bordetella bronchiseptica, can cause airway inflammation and irritation but are less common causes of snoring.

This type of snoring may happen alongside sneezing, nasal discharge, reduced appetite or a general change in how your cat seems.

Blockages, polyps or growths

Snoring may also be caused by something partly blocking the nose or throat. This could be a foreign object, such as a blade of grass, or a growth such as a nasopharyngeal polyp.

Nasopharyngeal polyps, usually benign and found in younger cats, and neoplasia (cancer), which is more common in older cats. Any suspected blockage should be checked by a vet.

Previous injury or trauma

A previous injury can sometimes change how air moves through your cat’s nose, throat or jaw. Cats that have had trauma to the head or face, often caused by a collision with a car, are more likely to snore because of swelling, tissue damage or changes to the airway.

Head injuries often cause tissue damage and inflammation in the nose, throat or jaw. Snoring can improve as the injury heals and they're fully recovered.

Breathing changes after trauma should be discussed with your vet.

Which cat breeds are more likely to snore?

Some cats are more likely to snore because of the shape of their face. Cats with flatter faces or shorter noses often have narrower upper airways, which can make airflow noisier while they sleep.

This is most common in brachycephalic cats. Brachycephalic means “short headed” and is used to describe cats with flatter facial features. 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.

Cat breeds that may be more likely to snore

Cat breeds that may be more likely to snore include:

• Persian cats
• Exotic Shorthairs
• Himalayans
• British Shorthairs
• Scottish Folds
• Burmese cats

These breeds can have shorter facial features, although this varies from cat to cat. Persian cats, Exotic Shorthairs and Himalayans are usually the clearest examples of flat-faced cats, while other breeds may only have a slightly shorter face shape.

Why flat-faced cats are more likely to snore

Flat-faced cats can have the same amount of soft tissue around the upper airway as other cats, but squashed within a shorter nose and throat structure. This can make the airway more compressed, so air has less space to move smoothly.

When your cat is asleep and relaxed, this narrower airway can make snoring more likely.

When to get a vet check

Some snoring in flat-faced cats may be linked to their anatomy, especially if they have always snored gently while asleep. However, snoring should still be checked by a vet if it becomes louder, happens while your cat is awake, or comes with signs such as noisy breathing, open mouth breathing, coughing, tiredness or difficulty exercising.

If your cat is finding it difficult to breathe, your vet will recommend treatment to improve airflow. These can include managing their weight, limiting intense play time and course of medication. In some cases, surgery to their nostrils, palate or throat may be needed to remove excess tissue and help your cat breathe more comfortably.

When to contact your vet

Flat-faced cats may be more prone to snoring, but any cat can develop noisy breathing if something changes in their nose, throat or upper airway. Occasional snoring while your cat is asleep is usually nothing to worry about, especially if they have always snored and seem well in themselves. However, it is best to contact your vet if your cat’s snoring is new, louder than usual, happening more often, or appears alongside other symptoms.

Changes in your cat’s snoring

A change in the way your cat snores can be a sign that something else is going on. Speak to your vet if your cat suddenly starts snoring, if the sound becomes louder, or if they snore while they are awake.

You should also get advice if your cat seems less settled when sleeping, changes their sleeping position to breathe more easily, or sounds congested when they breathe.

Other symptoms to watch for

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
• Pawing or clawing at their face
• Retching or vomiting
• Swellings of the mouth or throat
• Behaviour changes, such as hiding, aggression or reduced interaction

These symptoms can point to irritation, inflammation, infection, pain or a possible blockage, so it is worth getting your cat checked.

When cat breathing is an emergency

Open mouth breathing or panting in cats should be treated as an emergency. Contact your vet straight away if your cat is breathing with their mouth open, struggling to breathe, or seems distressed.

Even if your cat’s snoring has sounded harmless in the past, any sudden breathing difficulty needs urgent veterinary advice.

What to do if your cat is snoring

The right approach depends on why your cat is snoring. If your cat only snores softly while asleep and seems healthy, they may not need any treatment. If their snoring is linked to weight, inflammation, infection, injury or their face shape, your vet can help identify the cause and recommend the most suitable next steps.

Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight

If your cat is overweight, reaching a healthier weight may help reduce snoring by easing pressure around the throat and upper airway. It can also support their overall health, mobility and comfort.

Speak to your vet before changing your cat’s diet or activity levels. They can help you create a safe weight management plan based on your cat’s age, breed, lifestyle and current health.

Treating infections, allergies or inflammation

If your cat’s snoring is caused by an infection, allergy or inflammation, the snoring may improve once the underlying issue is treated. Your vet may recommend medication, further checks or changes at home, depending on what is causing the irritation.

Some cats with mild congestion may also benefit from moist air, as this can help keep the airways more comfortable. However, new, worsening or unusual breathing sounds should always be discussed with your vet first.

Supporting flat-faced cats

Flat-faced cats may snore because of the shape of their nose, throat and upper airway. Keeping them at a healthy weight can help reduce extra pressure on their breathing, but some cats may need further support.

If your cat is finding it difficult to breathe, your vet may recommend treatment to improve airflow. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove excess tissue and help your cat breathe more comfortably.

Keeping track of changes

It can help to pay attention to when your cat snores, how loud it is and whether anything has changed. You may notice that your cat only snores in certain positions, during certain seasons, or when they seem congested.

If you are unsure whether your cat’s snoring is normal, taking a short video can help your vet understand what you are hearing at home.

Everypaw Cat Insurance

If your cat’s snoring has changed, or you are unsure whether their breathing sounds normal, it can be reassuring to have quick access to professional advice.

Everypaw's Cat Insurance includes 24/7 unlimited access to vets, who can help with questions about your cat’s health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So whether your cat is snoring more than usual, showing new symptoms, or simply worrying you, support is there when you need it.

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