Pet Care Tips for Pet Owners Young and Old

Not every cat snores, so it might surprise you to realize that your cat is snoring while sleeping. Whether this may seem cute or slightly annoying to you, cat snores can potentially cause trouble. However, whether or not they create danger for your cat is dependent upon the cause and severity of the snoring. If your cat is snoring, read on to learn about some of the possible causes and whether you should worry about it.

Temporary Causes

If you've never heard your cat snore before, there's a chance that it's only temporary. Cats can be affected by health issues that cause congestion and inflammation in the nasal passageways that cause temporary snoring. These problems include allergies, poor air quality, mild colds or sinus infections, and even awkward sleeping positions. If your cat's snoring continues for more than a few days, however, you might want to start looking at the potential triggers for long-term snoring.

Long-Term Causes

Long-term snoring can be caused by more serious health problems. For example, cats who are overweight or obese can potentially snore regularly. This is because the extra weight in the throat can compress the cat's airway, making it hard for them to breathe while they're asleep.

Another reason isn't as dangerous, but it can still cause common or even permanent snoring. Cats with deviated septums or shorter snouts, like the Persian breed, are more likely to snore than other cats. This is simply because air doesn't travel as smoothly through the nasal passageways.

Dangers

In most cases, a little snoring won't harm your cat. However, if the problem is long-term, you should visit your veterinarian. Extended snoring could not only indicate an underlying problem but it could cause harm to your cat itself.

When cats can't get enough air while they're sleeping, their blood pressure may increase. This is because the lungs have to work harder to inhale and exhale. It can also limit the amount of oxygen that makes it into the body, which can starve tissues and even the brain of the oxygen it needs to work properly. In any case, if there's a way for you to stop the snoring, your veterinarian will be able to provide advice and treatment to control the snores.

Cats can snore just like humans do, so don't be surprised if you hear an occasional snore coming from your cat. However, if it goes on for a long time, consider talking your local veterinary services to find out if there's a more serious problem.