Perhaps you have already been surprised to hear your cat snore. These small breathing noises can be the sign of various attacks of the nose, nasal cavities or pharynx. Some conditions are benign and do not require special treatment while others should alert you and justify a consultation with the veterinarian.

The severity of snoring depends on different criteria. There are therefore several questions to ask. The first is the duration of evolution. Has the cat been snoring since childhood or did this happen at some point? Does the snoring get worse? Are they accompanied by significant respiratory discomfort (shortness of breath, panting, increased respiratory rate, exertion intolerance, etc.)? Is the cat’s nose runny? All these questions are all elements that allow us to learn about the cause of snoring.

If you have always heard your cat snore and the snoring has no effect on his behavior, it is likely that it is due to a birth defect. This is particularly frequent in breeds with a crushed nose, known as “brachycephalic”, such as the Persian, the Exotic Shorthair, the Himalayan or, to a lesser extent often, the Scottish Fold. The selection of these breeds aimed at reducing the size of the muzzle unfortunately also led to abnormalities in the conformation of the nostrils, nasal cavities and pharynx which were the cause of the observed snoring. 

In most cases, these malformations are fairly well tolerated, especially in indoor cats with limited physical activity. However, in some severe cases, the passage of air is so disrupted that respiratory discomfort and the impact on the cat’s quality of life are significant. Sometimes the cat is born with completely closed nostrils. In some cases, surgical management may be considered to improve respiratory capacity. Fortunately, the breed clubs having become aware of the excesses of the selection of hypertypes, this type of affection should be less and less frequent in the years to come.

Brachycephalic cats are not the only cats to suffer from birth defects, however, and all cats are susceptible to a malformation of the nasal cavities or pharynx. In case of suspicion, medical imaging examinations will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis (scanner, rhinoscopy, MRI).

Is your cat’s snoring accompanied by a discharge from the nose or eyes? Did you see him sneeze? If this is the case, it is likely that your cat is suffering from Coryza syndrome. This condition includes several attacks (rhinitis, conjunctivitis, gingivostomatitis, etc.) due to infections by two major types of viruses: herpes viruses and caliciviruses. 

Annual vaccinations protect against these viruses and help limit the severity of infections. The cat may show several signs or just snore with a slight transparent nasal discharge and sneezing. Infection with these viruses usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. 

During this time, the cat is contagious to its congeners. It is also common for bacteria to take advantage of the current infection. Signs of superinfection are then observed and the discharge becomes purulent. In cats with a competent immune system, the infection resolves spontaneously. In immunocompromised cats (very young, very old, IVF positive, sick) or unvaccinated, the infection can have long-term consequences with, for example, lifelong snoring and frequent relapses.

In case of snoring associated with sneezing and nasal discharge, it is possible to perform inhalations to thin the nasal secretions. The ideal is to rent a nebulizer in a classic pharmacy which allows physiological serum to be split into microscopic droplets which penetrate the upper respiratory tree. Otherwise, it is possible to place the cat in its transport cage, a bowl of boiling water in front, out of reach of its paws, and cover everything with a damp terry towel. Performing these inhalations three times a day for at least 10 minutes helps relieve the discomfort associated with rhinitis. It is also possible to add essential oils to water or physiological saline, as in humans, but these can also prove to be irritating to the inflamed nasal mucosa. If the discharge is purulent and your cat appears depressed or loses its appetite, a veterinarian consultation is recommended and antibiotics may be indicated.

Finally, after these two most common causes come the elements obstructing the nasal cavities. In this case, the snoring will not always have been present but will have started at some point and will sometimes get progressively worse. In some cases, you may also observe other signs such as neurological disorders (tilted head, abnormal eye movements, etc.), deafness, runny nose (sometimes blood).

Depending on the age of the animal, we may have to suspect an inflammatory polyp (in young cats) or rather a tumor (in older cats, in particular). In addition, it is not uncommon to find foreign bodies blocked in the nasopharynx or nasal cavities (such as an inhaled blade of grass, for example).

In order to explore the cause of snoring, medical imaging tests are usually necessary. The CT scan and MRI, performed under general anesthesia, make it possible to assess the internal structures of the skull, the thickness of the tissues, the presence of pus and in particular the integrity of the bones, for the CT scan. Rhinoscopy is often complementary because it makes it possible to observe the quality of the nasal mucosa, to take lesions for analyzes (biopsies) and to remove any foreign bodies.

In the event of an inflammatory polyp, surgical management is indicated. For tumors, depending on the type and location, surgery is often not possible. Other options may be considered (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc.), after discussion with your veterinarian or with an oncology specialist.

In conclusion, snoring, in cats, can be harmless (especially if they are related to the conformation of the breed), of infectious origin, with a common cold syndrome, or related to an obstruction of the respiratory tract. In case of noticeable discomfort, purulent discharge or neurological signs, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian.