Why Does My Cat Snore?
For most cat parents, the fact that their cat snores is not the real problem. What most of them want to know is, ‘why does my cat snore?’ They would like to know if it is normal or if there is cause for alarm.
While your cat snoring may not be an emergency per se (it does not warrant an immediate trip to the vet at midnight), it still is a concern most people would rather not worry about. Now, if snoring is in your cat’s nature, I shall help you determine it. In this piece we take a closer look at why some cats snore and others do not.
Is it Normal for Cats to Snore?
So why does my cat snore? Like humans, there is no doubt that cats do snore. As a cat parent, you have experienced this numerous times than you would care to remember.
In humans, snoring is common in individuals who are stressed out and who are tired from a hard day’s work. In the same way, if your cat snores, it probably is stressed or just tired from all the night time play. But then again, there are some humans who snore regardless of whether they are tired and stressed. For such humans, snoring is an indication of an underlying problem. Cats that snore could also be suffering from underlying illnesses.
Now, snoring is caused by vibrations that are made during breathing. It happens when the upper airway tissues are relaxed. The upper airways include the throat, nose and the pharynx (the back of the mouth).
In their relaxed state, the muscles loosen and the vibrations become audible when your cat breathes. It is because of this that people tend to snore when they are tired and when they are overweight and obese.
Speaking of being overweight, research reveals that overweight persons tend to snore a lot more. The body fat accumulated in the upper airway muscles result in snoring. The fat vibrates and causes sound.
In the 21st century, more and more humans are taking cats as pets. Humans and cats have grown closer in the past years than ever before. With this level of friendship, a lot of cats are spoilt and fed on foods that cause them to become overweight and obese with time.
Coupled with the fact that most cats live in apartments and condos and do not have space to move around a lot or exercise often quickens the process of adding weight. Most cats tend to sleep a lot.
Your cat can also develop colds as well. If your cat is snoring then this might be an indicator that there is some congestion in its airways; most as a result of mucus build up. If this is the case, the snoring will clear out after a few days even without putting your cat under medication. But if the problem appears to be severe, some antibiotics will work wonders to clear the cough and cold and in the process, the snoring.
Which Cat Breeds Tend to Snore More?
A gentle snore while your cat is asleep is normal and is no cause for alarm. But when the snoring prolongs and worsens with time, you should be on the lookout for other signs.
That said, you should note that in addition to weight, snoring is also determined by a cat’s physiology. For this reason, some cat breeds tend to be more at risk of developing a snore than others.
What Makes a Cat Snore?
Breed Type
According to cat experts, the Persian breed cats (and a bunch of other short nosed cats are more prone to snoring. This is because of their short palate and muzzle. These cat breeds are characterized as having squashed faces. If your cat falls under this category, you should have it checked by a vet to ensure that the snoring is not caused by the misalignment of the muzzle and the cat’s head.
Lazy and Overweight Cats
Sedentary and overweight cats that have excess fat around their necks are prone to snoring a lot. Contrary to what most people believe, having a fat cat does not mean that the cat is healthy and well taken care of. Being overweight is a clear sign that your cat needs more exercise and better nutrition.
Growths Back of Throat
Cats that have growths are also prone to snoring. These growths appear at the back of the cat’s throat or their nose. These growths should be surgically removed. After the healing process, the snoring will be gone.
Asthma
A cat with asthma is also prone to snoring. Some humans have allergies and so do some cats. Pollen and spores may trigger your cat’s asthma attack and result in a partial obstruction in the airways.
When Should You be Worried?
Why does my cat snore? We have already established that snoring in cats is a normal. But there are some instances when it is not. In these instances, you should be wary and seek medical attention for your cat.
Fungal infection – aside from snoring, fungal infections can also lead to other symptoms including blotchy skin, lesions and frequent scratching.
Foreign objects – your cat’s snoring may be as a result of some foreign objects being lodged in your cat’s pharynx. If this is the case, other symptoms including sinus infections and coughing may manifest.
How do you know when your cat’s snoring is something to worry about? Well, as a general rule of thumb, it is okay for your cat to snore lightly while asleep. The cat breathing fast should also be gentle and slow. However, if the breathing is labored and uncomfortable, then you should seek a vet the best medical solution.
In some severe cases, your cat’s snoring may be loud, deep and progressively getting worse. This might leave your cat no choice than to breathe through its mouth. If this happens, then you should take it as a symptom of an underlying respiratory problem. In such cases, take your cat to the vet immediately.
Also, if you notice your cat trying to dislodge something stuck in its throat with no success, take her to the vet immediately.
Do Cats Dream About Their Owners?
It is no secret that cats sleep a lot. In their sleep, they go through the same cycles as humans do. While it is not quite known what they are actually dreaming about when they are sleep, scientists have proven that the sleep cycles and patterns of cats are similar to those of humans.
Humans have their dreams while in the REM stag of sleep. Judging from the similar brain patterns, it is safe to say that cats also dream depending on what they experience in their real world. So yes, cats do dream of their owners. How could is that?
How to Stop a Cat Snoring?
The treatment of your cat’s snoring is dependent on the underlying cause. The good news is that for most cats, the cause of their snoring is mostly harmless and may not require a fortune to treat. The snoring also tends to be temporary which means that a small investment of earplugs will work just fine for you.
Bottom Line
So now that you have the answer to ‘why does my cat snore?’ you are more than equipped to handle the situation with your cat. Always be open and keen to note what the cause is before you proceed to take any steps. If it proves to be a serious condition manifesting as snoring, you should visit your vet as soon as you can.
