Why Does My Cat Snore? Our Vet Explains Reasons & What to Do

Anyone with a feline friend knows that cats love to sleep! The proverb ‘cat nap’ says it all. As cute as it is when they choose your lap or bed to curl up on, it can be a little unsettling if your cat starts snoring, but there is nothing to be concerned about. However, you wonder what it means when a cat snores. When should I be worried if my cat snores? Read on to find out all you need to know about snoring in cats!

Do Cats Snore?

Just like us, cats have two stages of sleep. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is when you or your furry friend will dream. Non-REM sleep has three stages, one of which is deep sleep. This is when snoring tends to occur, as the soft tissues around the airways relax. To put it simply, snoring is the noise made by air moving past these relaxed tissues, causing them to vibrate.

Why Does My Cat Snore?

There are many reasons that your cat might snore. Some of them are harmless, whilst others require veterinary attention. So, what can cause a cat to snore?

Should I Be Worried if My Cat Snores?

This will depend on the cause. Some causes of snoring in cats are harmless. If your cat only snores once in a while and is showing no other symptoms, then this may be just ‘positional’ snoring.

If your cat is overweight but otherwise healthy, the extra fat may be the culprit. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should ignore it. If your cat is snoring because they are overweight, then it's likely that excess fat will be causing problems in other parts of the body too. Time for a diet!

If your kitty has always snored and is a brachycephalic breed (such as Persian, Himalayan, or Burmese, for example), then the shape of their face may be the cause. If your kitty also makes funny noises whilst breathing when they are awake, then you ought to seek veterinary advice. Some brachycephalic cats need medicine or surgery to help keep their passageways wide enough that they can breathe easily.

If your cat suddenly starts snoring, then you need to take them to your veterinarian to have it checked out. Some causes of snoring need veterinary treatment. Similarly, if you notice any of the following symptoms alongside snoring, then your cat needs veterinary attention:

What Can I Do About My Cat Snoring?

Again, this will depend on the cause. If your cat has always snored and is otherwise well or only snores occasionally, then often, you don’t need to do anything. However, a veterinary check-up is advisable so that you can be sure that nothing is amiss.

If your cat is overweight, putting them on a diet should help. If your cat is brachycephalic, they may need treatment to address the shape of their nose and/or soft palate.

If your cat has an infection, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, medicine to clear mucus, or medicine to help open the airways. Treatment will depend on whether the infection is caused by bacteria or a virus.

If your cat is diagnosed as asthmatic, they may need medicine through a device, much like a human inhaler, or medicine by mouth. Allergies should be investigated by your veterinarian. If your cat is found to have an obstruction, foreign bodies can be removed. Any masses would need to be investigated.

You can also consult a vet online if you need quick and easy access to an expert's opinion.

Summing up

Often, snoring in cats is nothing to be concerned about, especially if your cat has always snored and is otherwise healthy with no other signs. Or if your cat snores every now and then but is otherwise fine.

However, there are some causes of snoring in cats that are more serious. If your feline friend starts snoring suddenly and has other symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Hopefully, it is nothing to worry about, but better to be safe than sorry! Even if your cat has always snored, it's worth letting your veterinarian know at your next appointment, then they can decide whether or not they need to investigate.

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