Why Do Cats Snore?
Have you ever been sitting there minding your own business and you hear a sound coming from your sleeping kitty?
If you were anything like me, the first time you heard your cat snore, you panicked that something was wrong. I know I was terrified of this too.
The truth is cats actually do snore. And the reason behind them snoring is for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons that cats snores are as followed:
Overweight
Let’s just cut to the chase. If you noticed your cat has put on a couple extra pounds recently, that could be a reason that they start snoring.
Just like humans, if you have extra weight on your frame, you are more likely to snore than those who are a healthy weight.
Similar to overweight people, extra fat can accumulate around your cat’s neck, which can make it harder for your cat to breathe and may trigger snoring.
If you have been worried about your cat’s weight and have recently starting to hear them snoring, this may be your sign that they need to go on a diet.
Sleeping Position
The next more realistic reason your cat is snoring could be their sleeping position.
I remember the first time I saw Phoebe snoring. Her body was in a normal sleeping position, but her head was turned COMPLETELY upside down. How is that even comfortable?
I woke her up, she was mad. However, she changed position and her snoring stopped.
Just like with humans, sometimes the right position can trigger even a healthy cat, or human, to snore.
Brachycephalic
Some cat breeds are more likely to snore than other cat breeds based on their faces.
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) cat breeds like Himalayans and Persians are more prone to snoring due to the structure of their face.
It is important to keep these cat breeds at a healthy weight to put at little stress on their airways as possible.
Respiratory Illness
As crazy as it sounds, cats can get cold just like humans do.
And just like humans, cats are more like to snore when they have a cold. Anything from asthma, fungal infections, or bacterial infections can all cause a cat to snore.
If you notice your cat snoring in addition to sneezing, coughing, or a change in their appetite schedule a visit to your vet.
If it is a respiratory illness, they can give your cat the medicine they need to get better and stop the snoring.
Should I Worry That My Cat Snores?
If your cat loves to sleep in crazy position and you notice them snoring, I wouldn’t stress out if you hear them snoring from another room.
The only time if I would start to worry about your cat is if you notice other changes in their behavior. Whether it be weight gain, a change in appetite, or a runny nose.
All those things can be indicators or something worse going on.
If its weight gain that’s causing your cat to snore, now is probably the time to start your cat on a diet!
When Is Snoring in Cats Not Normal?
Snoring is not normal if your cat is a healthy weight, a normal-faced breed, and sleeping at a normal angle.
If that is the case, it is smart to reach out to your vet to determine if your cat could have a respiratory illness.
Luckily, in most cases snoring is not an indicator of a bigger issue with your cat, but it is still better to catch whatever the reason is sooner rather than later.
>> Help Your Cat Sleep In A Comfortable Position, With Their Own Cat Bed
How To Help My Snoring Cat
If your cat is snoring there are a couple things you can do to help them. The first thing is to wake them up if they are in a weird angle.
Not only does this help them get into a proper angle, but it also prevents them from being in that weird angle for too long.
You can also help prop your cats head up which will help them stop snoring while they are on medicine or are losing weight.
I remember I used to use my foot to help Phoebe prop her head up if she was in a weird angle and I didn’t want to move. That usually was enough to help her stop snoring…or annoy her enough to move her head.
Conclusion
Snoring in cats can be completely normal.
If you notice your cat starting to snore, make sure you watch them to help you figure out why they are snoring. From there, you can help them stop snoring, or at least not stress out about the snoring.