Do Cats Snore?

by James Cook

Cats are the best. They're cute, they're cuddly, and they'll eat anything you put in front of them—including your hair while you're sleeping. But have you ever noticed that sometimes your cat snores? It might be a sign that something is wrong with their health! Here's everything you need to know about cats and snoring:

Cats do snore, although not all of them.

Cats (like humans) breathe through their noses and snore when they sleep. This is especially the case for male cats, who are twice as likely to snore than female cats are. Cats that are overweight or obese have a higher chance of snoring, too.

Snoring in cats can be caused by several health problems.

Snoring in cats can be caused by a variety of health problems. If your cat is snoring, you should take him to the veterinarian immediately. Snoring may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Some causes of snoring in cats include:

  • Respiratory infections (kitty colds)

  • Feline asthma

  • An enlarged heart or cardiomegaly, which means your cat’s heart is larger than normal and does not beat correctly (this is often seen with concurrent hyperthyroidism)

  • Nasal or sinus issues

Not all cat breeds snore with the same frequency.

While cats of all breeds can snore, there are some cat breeds that have a higher chance of snoring than others. This is due to their anatomy or personality traits.

Here are some examples:

  • Persian cats are known for their flat face and large nose, which can make it difficult to breathe properly. This means that Persian cats will have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea, leading to snoring.

  • Maine Coon cats are known for having a distinctive raspy voice and robust body frame, which makes it easier for them to develop health problems such as sleep apnea or snoring as well.

Cats that are overweight are more likely to snore.

If your cat is overweight, you may have noticed that he or she is snoring more. In fact, cats that are overweight are more likely to snore than cats who are not. Of course, this doesn't apply to all overweight cats—it's possible for a large cat with a strong frame to be healthy even if they're well over their ideal weight. But if your furry friend has been gaining weight lately (and you’ve noticed it), there’s a good chance they could use some help losing some weight so they can breathe easier while they sleep!

Cats breathe through their noses while they sleep.

While sleeping cats have a slightly different respiratory pattern than when they're awake. They breathe through their noses and don't snore, but they can breathe through their mouths for short periods of time. While you might think an animal with a smaller trachea (windpipe) like a cat would be able to breath more easily through its mouth, it actually has to take in more oxygen in order to keep up with its high metabolism. Cats also have higher levels of carbon dioxide than humans do because they don't produce much saliva and don't sweat as much as we do, so they need more oxygen just to maintain their body functions.

That said, cats are obligate nasal breathers—meaning that unlike humans who can choose whether or not to breathe through either nostril at any given time—cats only breathe through their noses! This means that even when cats sleep on your lap or chest (as most loveys do), there's no chance for them to switch over into mouth-breathing mode without waking up first; it would feel like something was blocking their airways if this happened suddenly while unconscious from fatigue or falling asleep too quickly after eating dinner late at night."

Some medications can cause a cat to snore.

Here are some common medications that can cause a cat to snore:

  • Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections

  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral), an antifungal medication

Obstructive breathing is a common cause of cat snoring.

Obstructive breathing is a common cause of cat snoring. Cats with narrow airways are more likely to snore than cats with wide airways, because the narrower passages can cause vibrations as the cat inhales and exhales. These vibrations can make it sound like your feline companion is snoring!

Your pet's risk for developing obstructive breathing increases as he or she ages, which is why older cats are more likely to suffer from this condition than younger ones.

If you suspect that your cat has snoring problems due to obstructed breathing, talk with your vet about treatment options. Some cats may benefit from surgery, while others will be prescribed drugs that widen the nasal passages and ease their symptoms

Conclusion

If your cat is overweight or has a cold, he could be at risk for snoring. Cats with breathing problems like asthma and allergies may also snore more often than other cats. If your cat is snoring, take him to the vet for an exam so that you can figure out what's going on!