What this means
A cat's breathing is normally quiet. Audible snoring, snuffling, whistling or rattling means that the airway is narrowed or blocked somewhere, for example in the nose, behind the nose or in the throat. In a cat with a flat face the passages of the nose and throat are narrower, so noisy breathing comes more easily to it, but even in those cats a new or growing noise deserves a vet's attention.
It is important to tell noisy breathing from difficult breathing. If your cat snuffles but rests, eats and plays calmly, it is not urgent, but it should be booked for an examination. If it makes an effort to breathe, its belly heaves, it breathes with its mouth open or its gums turn bluish, it is an emergency.
Listen to how your cat breathes when asleep and note when and how the sound has changed. The vet will want to know whether the noise is heard when breathing in or out, whether there is sneezing or discharge from the nose, and whether it is louder after play or in warm weather. A short video can help.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your cat.
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The airway shape of a flat-faced cat
Pinched nostrils, a soft palate that is too long and tight passages get in the way of the air. The cat may snore and snuffle even at rest.
About the condition: Brachycephalic airway syndrome -
Swelling of the throat tissues
The constant effort of breathing can swell the throat tissues, narrowing the way for air still more. The sound can get louder over time.
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Inflammation or infection in the nose
A blocked, inflamed nose often sounds like snuffling or snoring. Sneezing, discharge from the nose and a poorer appetite may go with it.
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Something stuck in the nose or throat
A foreign object or a dried plug of mucus can suddenly cause noisy breathing, sneezing or coughing. The cat may paw at its face.
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A polyp or growth in the nose or throat
A growth narrows the way for air, and the noise slowly gets louder. A vet needs to examine the cat to find and assess it.
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Wheezing from a disease of the lower airways
A wheeze or whistle on breathing out can sound like snoring but points to a problem in the small airways, such as an asthma-like one. It needs to be shown to a vet.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Whether the sound is heard on breathing in, breathing out or both
- Whether it is there at rest and asleep, or only after play, in heat or when excited
- Whether it appeared recently or is getting louder
- Whether there is sneezing, discharge from the nose or watery eyes
- Whether your cat eats and drinks as usual
- Whether it breathes without visible effort, with a still belly and a closed mouth
When to book a routine visit
Book a vet visit if your cat's snoring, snuffling or noisy breathing is new or getting worse, even if it seems well. If it breathes with its mouth open, struggles to breathe or the gums turn bluish, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
Body systems: Breathing