Wheezing, Reverse Sneezing, and More: Understanding Your Pet’s Noisy Breathing

Respiratory issues in pets can be alarming, but understanding the symptoms can help you take quick and informed action. Whether it’s a persistent cough, sudden wheezing, or unusual breathing patterns, recognizing early warning signs can make a difference in your pet’s health.

Recognizing Common Respiratory Issues in Pets

Pets rely on clear airways and healthy lungs for everyday activities, from running and playing to simply resting comfortably. When they develop respiratory symptoms, these can range from mild irritations to life-threatening conditions.

Key Respiratory Symptoms to Watch For:

Coughing – May indicate infections, heart disease, or tracheal collapse.
Sneezing – Often linked to allergies, infections, or nasal irritants.
Wheezing – A potential sign of asthma, airway blockages, or lung disease.
Snoring or Labored Breathing – Common in certain breeds but can also signal obesity, infections, or respiratory distress.
Open-Mouth Breathing (Especially in Cats) – Always a cause for concern and may indicate severe respiratory distress.

While some of these symptoms may be temporary or harmless, persistent or severe cases require veterinary attention.

Decoding Respiratory Sounds in Pets

Just like humans, pets can produce various respiratory sounds, each potentially pointing to a different underlying issue. Recognizing these sounds and their possible causes is key to determining whether your pet needs veterinary care.

Coughing in Pets: What It Means

Not all coughs are the same. The sound and type of cough can give clues about the cause:

Dry, Hacking Cough – Commonly seen in dogs with kennel cough, a contagious respiratory infection. Also linked to tracheal collapse in small breeds.
Wet, Gurgling Cough – Suggests pneumonia or fluid buildup in the lungs, often due to infections or heart disease.
Harsh, Honking Cough – A hallmark of tracheal collapse, especially in toy breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
Chronic Coughing with Fatigue – May indicate heart disease, particularly in older pets or breeds prone to congestive heart failure.

When to Seek Help: If your pet’s cough lasts longer than a few days, worsens, or is accompanied by lethargy, labored breathing, or loss of appetite, schedule an appointment with Westerville Veterinary Clinic.

Understanding Sneezing in Pets

While occasional sneezing is normal, frequent sneezing—especially with nasal discharge—may indicate:

Allergies – Dust, pollen, smoke, or household chemicals.
Infections – Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections affecting the nasal passages.
Nasal Mites or Foreign Objects – Common in dogs that sniff a lot outdoors.
Nasal Tumors – Rare but possible, particularly in older pets with persistent nasal discharge or nosebleeds.

If your pet has frequent sneezing with mucus, blood, or swelling, a veterinary check-up is recommended.

Wheezing: A Sign of Breathing Difficulty

Wheezing occurs when airways become narrowed or inflamed. Common causes include:

Asthma – Especially in cats, causing wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
Allergic Reactions – Environmental allergens, smoke, or perfumes can trigger wheezing episodes.
Airway Obstruction – A lodged foreign object in the throat or windpipe can lead to sudden wheezing.
Lung Disease – Chronic conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia may present with wheezing.

If wheezing is sudden, severe, or accompanied by blue gums or labored breathing, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Reverse Sneezing: Harmless or Concerning?

Reverse sneezing sounds like a repeated snorting or gagging episode and is often caused by:

Excitement or pulling on a leash.
Irritants like perfume, smoke, or pollen.
Mild inflammation in the nasal passages.

While generally harmless, frequent or prolonged episodes may require veterinary evaluation to rule out underlying irritation or infections.

Snoring: When to Be Concerned

Some breeds, particularly brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats, naturally snore due to their facial structure. However, sudden snoring in a pet that never snored before may indicate:

Obesity – Excess weight can worsen airway restrictions.
Respiratory Infections – Congestion or inflammation affecting the nasal passages.
Obstructive Airway Conditions – Common in brachycephalic breeds and may require surgical correction.

Learn more about BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) – Cornell Vet.

When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Attention

Some respiratory symptoms can escalate into emergencies. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet experiences:

Severe or prolonged coughing fits
Blue-tinged gums or tongue (cyanosis) – Indicates lack of oxygen.
Open-mouth breathing (especially in cats) – A critical sign of respiratory distress.
Collapse or extreme weakness

If your pet is struggling to breathe, seek emergency care immediately.

For additional information, visit Respiratory Distress in Pets – AAHA.

Preventative Measures for Respiratory Health

To help your pet breathe easy and stay healthy:

Keep up with vaccinations – Prevent contagious respiratory diseases like kennel cough, canine influenza, and feline herpesvirus.
Minimize environmental triggers – Reduce exposure to smoke, strong perfumes, and allergens.
Maintain a healthy weight – Obesity increases the risk of breathing difficulties, especially in short-nosed breeds.
Provide regular exercise – Supports lung function and cardiovascular health.
Monitor for seasonal allergies – Manage symptoms with vet-approved allergy treatments if needed.

A proactive approach can help prevent many respiratory issues. For routine check-ups, book an appointment.

FAQs About Pet Respiratory Issues

How do I know if my pet’s cough is serious?
If your pet has a persistent cough lasting more than a few days, worsens over time, or is accompanied by lethargy, appetite loss, or difficulty breathing, a veterinary visit is needed.

Is wheezing in cats always asthma?
Not always. While feline asthma is a common cause, wheezing can also be due to allergies, infections, or even heart disease. A vet evaluation will help determine the cause.

Can my pet’s snoring be a problem?
If your pet’s snoring has become louder, started suddenly, or is accompanied by breathing difficulties, it could indicate a medical issue that requires attention.

Prioritizing Your Pet’s Respiratory Health

At Westerville Veterinary Clinic, we’re committed to providing expert care for pets with respiratory conditions. Whether your pet has a mild cough or a serious breathing issue, our team is here to help.

Wheezing, Reverse Sneezing, and More: Understanding Your Pet’s Noisy Breathing