What does it sound like when a cat is trying to cough up a hairball?

When a cat is trying to bring up a hairball, they may start retching, gagging or acting like they are dry heaving and trying to vomit. Sometimes the sound they make is called a ‘cough-gag-retch’. This is because your cat can appear to be coughing from the lungs, gagging with their throat and retching from the stomach.

What does a cat passing a hairball sound like?

A In healthy cats, the most common symptom of a furball is a ´cough-gag-retch´ sound – so-called because it´s tricky even for vets to work out if a cat is coughing (clearing the airways by pushing air out of the lungs), gagging (making throat movements to clear an object that´s become stuck) or retching (a noise …

Why does my cat make a weird noise like something stuck throat?

Many cats like to eat grass and sometimes the blade of grass can become lodged in the throat. This can cause a gagging, hacking cough. Most such foreign bodies will be difficult to see on radiographs. Persistent coughs might have to be evaluated by directly examining the airways using a bronchoscope.

Why is my cat making weird coughing noises?

What causes cats to cough? In cats, coughing is most often a sign of an inflammatory problem affecting the lower respiratory tract, especially some form of bronchitis. This inflammation is often due to an infection, particularly with viruses such as feline viral rhinotracheitis, or bacteria such as Bordetella.

Why is my cat gagging but not throwing up?

Cats are often prone to chewing on and swallowing items they should not. If an item is stuck in your cat’s throat, he may gag without ever vomiting. If there is a blockage in his digestive system, he may gag and vomit frequently and may have a swollen abdomen as well. Take him to the vet immediately if this occurs.

How can I help my cat throw up a hairball?

To help your cat cough up a hairball, give it 1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, since the jelly will act as a laxative to help your cat pass the hairball naturally. Alternatively, smear its paw with some hairball paste, which you can buy from a pet store.

Is my cat choking or coughing up a hairball?

Coughing is often mistaken for choking. Cats may cough if they have hairballs, asthma, or heartworm disease. If your cat is coughing, you should have it checked out by your veterinarian. Choking, on the other hand, is a dire situation for which you should seek immediate veterinary care.

How do you help a cat hack up a hairball?

How do you treat a cat with a hairball blockage?

If a blockage is detected, surgery may be required in order to remove the hairball. More often, however, therapy will center on protecting the intestines through several days of clinical care that includes the use of a laxative to move the hairball through the digestive tract.

Are hairballs harmful to cats?

While a hairball might be temporarily uncomfortable, they will usually not cause harm to the cat. If your cat is coughing and wheezing, but no hairball is present, it will likely be a foreign object. These are a different matter. If the cat ingests something they shouldn’t have, the result may be a choking hazard.

How do I know if my cat has a hairball?

Take note of any unusual, throaty sounds your cat makes. If you’re being subjected to a cacophony of hacking, gagging, retching and coughing sounds coming from your poor cat, don’t just assume it’s the upcoming emergence of a hairball.

Why does my cat gag when it has a hairball?

Excessive heaving sounds can point to a variety of potentially harmful medication conditions in your wee one, including asthma. If your cat is persistently gagging because a hairball is coming up in her throat, the thing in question is sure to quickly pop out — probably right onto your couch or carpet, yikes.

What does it sound like when a cat coughs up hairballs?

When the hairball is expelled, it will sound like it is vomiting rather than coughing. You will also see the cat sticking their tongue out as they try to bring up the hairball. They may drool a little before the hairball appears. Once the hairball has been produced, any choking noises should stop.