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Why are my cats coughing and wheezing after a new cat and dogs?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 10 years old | 9 lbs
I have 4 cats. One is a recent adoption from the shelter (about 1 month ago). About 2 weeks ago we watched our daughter's 2 dogs who infrequently go to the vet. About 1 week ago 1 cat started to cough like a wheezing without any other symptoms. He is better now and another cat has the exact same symptoms. What could this be?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH
Veterinarian
Published on September 10th, 2017
Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
It is hard to say exactly what this could be without examining Filmore and the other cat first, but I can offer a few possibilities.
One possibility may be an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus called the Feline Herpes virus which cats can acquire early in life. The virus stays dormant for a while until a stressful event or the cat's immune system becomes compromised in some way allowing the virus to replicate and cause upper respiratory symptoms.
Another possibility may be a heart condition which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs which can cause coughing or wheezing.
A final possibility may be feline asthma which can be triggered by an allergen. If the cats where allergic the dog fur or dander, this could be plausible.
I hope this has helped and best wishes to you!
It is hard to say exactly what this could be without examining Filmore and the other cat first, but I can offer a few possibilities.
One possibility may be an upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus called the Feline Herpes virus which cats can acquire early in life. The virus stays dormant for a while until a stressful event or the cat's immune system becomes compromised in some way allowing the virus to replicate and cause upper respiratory symptoms.
Another possibility may be a heart condition which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs which can cause coughing or wheezing.
A final possibility may be feline asthma which can be triggered by an allergen. If the cats where allergic the dog fur or dander, this could be plausible.
I hope this has helped and best wishes to you!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful