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Why is my cat coughing? Could it be fleas or a flea allergy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 2 years old

Can fleas cause a cat to cough? Is there any chance that a flea allergy would lead to a persistent cough in a cat? Or are fleas and coughing not related at all? Thanks.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on March 30th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Fleas and coughing are not expected to be related. Coughing can be a sign of many conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Jolly evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics to be performed include thoracic radiographs and bloodwork. Treatment would be dependent on findings. Good luck and have a good one!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 14th, 2017
Chronic occasional coughing in cats is not uncommon, the number one reason would be asthma, if it is very mild and she isn't in any serious distress when she coughs, then treatment is not necessary at the moment, but she might need some medications in the future (prescription only that you can get from your vet). other possible causes include lung tumors, lung infection, hearthworm, heart failure and lungworms.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on January 5th, 2017
Obviously asthma is the most common cause for coughing in cats, i don't know what medicines you tried so i can't comment on that, usually the most effective meds are steroids though (prescription only). it could also be an infection or a tumor, this must be checked by a vet before starting any treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on February 18th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Jolly!

The most common cause of coughing in cats is feline asthma which can start from lung worm, heart worm or just allergies. Siamese cats tend to be more severely affected with asthma. Ideally Jolly should see your Vet for an exam, chest X-rays, heart worm test and Baermann test of her stool. The gold standard diagnostic test for asthma is a sedated endotracheal wash to obtain fluid for cytology to look for eosinophils in the mucous. It can also look for secondary infections from bacteria or fungal infections.

Feline asthma is treated with steroids and bronchodilators and sometimes antibitoics. I also recommend that the owners control the environment: no smoking, fragrant candles, etc

I hope this helps and I wish Jolly the very best
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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