Judy Taylor
The cat opens its mouth and starts to meow – but there is only a slight croak? It is quite possible that your cat is hoarse! There are a few possible causes of hoarseness in cats – and tips to help your croaking mini tiger get its voice back.
The Cat Meows Too Much
Anyone who speaks a lot or has sung loudly at a concert knows the problem: the voice fails. The reason for this is the overused vocal cords. Cats meow especially when communicating with us humans, not with each other. Cats that meow a lot feel uncomfortable or protest against new living conditions. For example, if you lock them out of a previously permitted space or if they take a ride in the car without them slowly getting used to it. Some cats meow a lot because their cat pal has passed away.
Demented and deaf cats also tend to meow particularly often – and loudly.
Long-term overexposure to the vocal cords can lead to laryngitis in the cat and increase hoarseness.
Hoarse From an Infection
Coughs, runny nose, hoarseness – cats can also suffer from a cold that makes them hoarse. The already mentioned laryngitis is favored by bacteria or viruses. Often, but not always, cats show other cold symptoms such as tiredness, fever, or loss of appetite when they have an infection. Make an appointment with the vet if you suspect your cat has a cold.
Other Diseases That Make Cats Hoarse
In addition to laryngitis and colds, other diseases can be responsible for the fact that your velvet paw can only croak instead of meowing pleasantly. Possible causes are, for example, allergies, “cat aids” FIV – the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus – or thyroid disorders. The veterinarian is the right contact for a precise diagnosis and initiation of therapy.
The Cat Often Chokes
Cats who choke or vomit frequently may experience irritation in the throat area. This can lead to hoarseness. The fact that the cat is hoarse is less of a problem in this case. Investigate the cause of the gagging. If the velvet paw occasionally nibbles on cat grass and chokes it up, this is not a problem. However, if she eats too much of it, she may be bored. Stomach irritation or kidney disease can also cause the cat to vomit frequently, which irritates the throat area and makes it hoarse.
Foreign Body in the Throat
If a foreign object in the nasopharynx is causing your cat to be hoarse, it will show other symptoms: shaking its head, salivating, coughing, rattling, choking, or having acute shortness of breath. Depending on the symptoms, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Often it is sharp-edged blades of grass, for example from bamboo or papyrus, or hairballs that irritate the throat. If the symptoms are only mild, you can look into the mouth of your animal companion if you suspect a foreign body, if you allow it. But only in a few cases is the foreign body so easily accessible that you can help yourself. As a rule, only the veterinarian can remedy the situation.
My Cat is Hoarse – What to Do
If you suspect that there is an illness behind your cat’s hoarseness, you should take her to see a veterinarian. However, if you suspect a small infection or know that the cat meows a lot the day before, you can make the situation as comfortable as possible for your cat.
As with us humans: dry air increases hoarseness and the uncomfortable feeling in the throat. Make sure the humidity in your home is over 50 percent.
Humidifiers, indoor fountains – are also available for cats – or wet towels over the heater help to make the climate more pleasant. Above all, give a hoarse cat wet food: this does not irritate the dry throat and provides the cat with extra moisture.
