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My cat is dry coughing for a day, could it be a hairball? What helps?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 10 lbs

My cat sounds like he is coughing or trying to pass a hairball it has been going on for almost a full day. It sounds like the cough is dry

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 30th, 2018

Sometimes when he has a big hairball it can take a few days of coughing and gagging to bring it up. I suggest you get some hairball remedy paste from a pet shop and give that to your cat as directed on the tube. Some cats actually like eating it and will lick it off your finger. For those cats who do not like the remedy, the easiest way is to put it on the top of the paws and they will lick it off, trying to clean up. Hopefully this will resolve the issue. If the coughing gets worse and if your cat gets lethargic or appears ill, you will need to take him to a vet for a thorough exam.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 21st, 2019
Hi P! It could be they have been suffering from an respiratory infection. First, you can try starting them on an L-lysine supplement - this is an amino acid that has been shown to help the immune system fight off respiratory infections more effectively. Enisyl and Viralys are both good brands, and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription - just follow the dosing instructions on the label based on your cat's weight. If they are congested, you can also try using a humidifier or bringing them into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My kitten has a dry cough. Is it allergies or should I see a vet?

There are several things it could be, first of all hairballs, especially of it is only occasional, in this case a hairball paste supplement should solve the problem. The other options are feline asthma or a respiratory infection. If the hairball paste does not resolve it, I would recommend taking him to the vet in order to get it checked.

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Why is my cat coughing white phlegm and vomiting for 3 days?

Indica may have a hairball she is trying to get rid of, so generally it is a good idea to regularly feed hairball remedy or a cat food with hairball remedy, especially if your kitty lives indoors only. Of course there may be another cause for this, such as an upper respiratory disease, a gastric problem, or a foreign body stuck in the trachea or esophagus or laryngitis. As you can see there are many possible causes, and you are doing the right thing by taking her to your veterinarian today.

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My cat chokes on hairballs and struggles to breathe. What should I do?

This may be due to hair balls or something more serious could be going on like an upper airway obstruction from nasal congestion or a nasopharyngeal polyp. If you don’t already have your cat on a hair ball remedy like Laxatone, I would try that and see if it helps. If you do this and your cat still has the issue then taking him to a vet to have his oral cavity and upper airway examined would be a good idea. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

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Health & Wellness

Senior cat dry coughs at night, shakes head. Is it hairballs or more?

This could indeed be hairballs but unfortunately, since your cat is an older kitty, she could also be suffering from a congestive heart condition which causes pulmonary edema and would make her try coughing out fluid. Regularly use hair ball remedy (available at your vet or a pet shop). And I suggest you have her examined by your vet soon, as coughing at night is very suspicious for heart problems.

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My cat is coughing, but no hairball comes up. When to worry?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Molly. It could be her throat is a little irritated leading to the coughing, but it could also be a sign she is starting to get sick. I would keep an eye on her for the next couple of days. If the coughing increases in occurrence, she has a loss of appetite, has discharge from her nose, sounds congested, or is lethargic, then you should be concerned and have her seen by a vet asap. If the cough continues over 48-72 hours without change, I would also have her checked out by a vet to be safe. I hope this helps!

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My cat has dry cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and can't eat. What's wrong?

While a hairball could cause vomiting I wouldn't expect diarrhea or coughing. A true cough can be a sign of asthma or a respiratory infection. If he can't rest at night and his appetite is affected I'd recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian. They may recommend an x-ray of his chest and abdomen.

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My kitten has a dry cough. Is it serious, or can I treat it at home?

In cats, this is usually related to asthma, hairballs or a heart problem. Because of his young age, I would not rule out a respiratory infection. If it persists for more than a day, I would recommend taking him to the vet in order to get it checked.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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