Like people, cats can get asthma. And like the usual suspects that cause allergies and other lung conditions in human beings, feline asthma often is triggered by stress, polluted air, and even secondhand smoke. Feline, like human, asthma is not contagious, and you won’t catch it from your cat, but it can become a severe problem that needs to be monitored. Read below for the causes, treatments, and outlook.

Often times, cats can get allergy related bronchitis, which is the result of inflammation in the bronchial air tubes. The crucial signs of feline bronchitis is occasional fits of deep, moist bouts of coughing. Left untreated, the bronchitis can turn into asthma or even emphysema. Check with your vet if your cat exhibits the signs above.

As I have stated above, feline asthma can be triggered by a variety of things including smoke. It’s bad for you, it’s bad for your cat, it’s bad for the environment- just stop smoking! Other smart moves include using a humidifier, cleaning frequently, and switching your everyday household products with greener options. Sometimes feline asthma is triggered by common household cleansers or perhaps even their litter! Check with your vet for more information about that.

If your cat is diagnosed with feline asthma, your vet probably will prescribe a daily steroid pill or a bronchodialator similar to the one used by humans, only made for cats. Your vet probably will give you advice or a guide about how to treat and manage feline asthma. She also may discuss stress management tips because cats suffer stress, too. If your cat should suffer a severe asthma attack, take her to the vet immediately. How do you know if your pet is having a full-blown asthma attack? Symptoms include gasping for air, collapsing, or a sticking out her tongue while trying to breath. Again, your vet can advise you better on when to bring your cat to the vet should an emergency arrive.

Remember that prevention is key, and monitoring will help prolong your cat’s life.