Cat snoring: What every pet owner should know

Written in collaboration with vets

Highlights

Most cat snoring is normal and simply caused by deep sleep, awkward sleeping positions, or breed-specific characteristics.
Though it is normal for many cats, issues like obesity, asthma, allergies, and respiratory issues can also cause snoring.
If your cat snores, look out for other symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or discharge, and keep a close eye on them.
More severe symptoms such as open-mouthed breathing, unexplained weight loss, difficulty breathing, snoring while awake, or changes in gum colour require urgent attention.
Keeping your home clean can reduce stress-induced respiratory issues, and removing any dust or mould can also help limit the chance of an allergic reaction in your cat.
Be sure to also encourage exercise for your cat and offer them a balanced diet to maintain a healthy body weight. Finally, keep all vaccinations and worming up to date to prevent infections and parasites.

When your cat lies purring on your lap, you might be wondering, ‘Do cats snore?' Many cat owners may be unaware that, like humans, some cats do indeed snore, and for a variety of reasons.

It is normal for cats to snore, and usually, there is no cause for concern. However, cats are notorious for hiding illness, which is why it’s important for cat owners to understand why their cat is snoring to ensure there are no underlying health issues.

In this article, we help cat owners understand why cats snore, whether it’s normal or abnormal, tips to reduce your cat's snoring, and when you may need to seek veterinary advice. Understanding why your cat snores can strengthen your bond and be the key to helping them when they need it most.

Why do cats snore while sleeping?

There are various reasons why some cats can snore while sleeping. As a cat owner, you’ll know that cats love their sleep and can naturally sleep between 12-20 hours a day. Since cats sleep so much, it’s unsurprising you may hear cat snores throughout the day. It’s normal for cats to snore loudly when in the deepest stage of their sleep, and they may also twitch and make little noises.

It’s important to understand that there are many potential causes to your cat’s snores:

Relaxation: Cats have a soft palate in their upper airway. This soft tissue will relax as your cat relaxes into their slumber, and the vibrations it makes create the snoring sound.
Breed: Some cat breeds are more prone to snoring simply due to their facial structure.
Obesity: Excess fat around the neck of your cat can cause breathing difficulty, which can lead to snoring.
Allergies & Asthma: Snoring can be a symptom of respiratory inflammation as a result of an allergy or asthmatic reaction to things like dust, pollen, mould, and some foods.
Respiratory Issues: These problems may be due to bacterial or fungal infections and can create a stuffy nose in your cat, which can incite snoring.
Sleep Position: Cats are very flexible and can often find themselves in odd positions. If your cat is snoring, they may be in a position that somewhat restricts their airway.
Foreign Object: If your cat never usually snores and they begin to rub at their face, have nasal discharge, or start sneezing, they may have inhaled a small object like a seed or piece of grass. If this is the case, take your cat to a vet.
Age: Some cats simply begin to snore more as they get older.

We explore these common reasons why your cat is snoring in depth further below.

Allergy or Asthma

Cats, like humans, are prone to allergies and conditions like asthma, which lead to partial airway obstruction. Some common allergies that you should keep an eye out for are pollen, dust, mould, and certain foods. Nasal and respiratory inflammation, and cats can snore as a result.

Cats can develop allergies to common meats like beef, chicken, and fish, and this is certainly worth looking into if your cat presents symptoms like overgrooming and consistent excessive itching.

For asthma in cats, the best way to manage it is to manage the environmental triggers, keeping a dust and mould-free space where possible.

Obesity

Overweight cats are becoming increasingly common, with 40-50% of the cat population in the UK considered to be overweight or obese. The excess fat usually gathers around a cat’s neck and affects the soft tissue surrounding their upper airway, making breathing more difficult and leading to cats snoring. Besides snoring, there are many other health implications for overweight cats, so managing your cat’s weight is important.

Respiratory Problems

Sometimes cats may suffer from respiratory problems due to a bacterial infection like cat flu, as well as asthma, a fungal infection, or an allergy. These respiratory problems can create a stuffy nose, which can cause your cat to snore loudly. If you notice other symptoms, including discharge from their eyes or nose, sneezing, coughing or changes in their behaviour or appetite, it’s important to take your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Sleep Positions

Since cats are natural yogis, they are extremely flexible. This means they can get themselves into strange positions when it’s time to sleep. If your cat sleeps with their head tilted, upside down, or pushed up against something, it can temporarily restrict their upper airway, which may cause your cat to snore. If your cat is snoring due to their sleeping position, the snoring will usually stop when they move into a different position. In this case, there’s usually nothing to worry about.

Flat-faced Cats

Some cat breeds, such as Persian, Himalayan and Burmese cats, appear to have a flat face - also described as brachycephalic. This is due to the structure of their face, consisting of shorter skull bones, with their nasal cavity residing inside their skull. Since flat-faced cats have smaller nostrils, the soft tissue may partially obstruct their upper airway, which can cause cat snoring. It may also seem like your cat is snoring while awake due to other breathing problems, such as noisy breathing, breathing through their mouth, or persistent coughing. In this case, you should consult your vet and consider surgery to help your cat breathe more easily.

Foreign Object

If your cat normally doesn’t snore but you’ve noticed this new behaviour and it’s accompanied by rubbing or pawing at their face, a nasal discharge or drip, and sneezing, it’s possible they’ve accidentally inhaled a small foreign object, such as a seed, blade of grass or pollen from the garden. If the object is partially blocking your cat’s nasal cavity, it might cause your cat to snore, and they may also be agitated. Cat owners should not try to remove the object from their cat’s nose themselves and should instead take them to the vet.

There are other possible reasons why your cat is snoring, including age, inflammation, polyps or growths, which is why it’s essential to take your cat to the vet if the behaviour is new, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.

The difference between normal and abnormal snoring in cats

Can cats snore normally? It may be perfectly normal for your cat to snore if they have always done so. It’s important to recognise whether your cat’s snoring is normal or abnormal so you know how best to help them. It may be normal for your cat to snore if they have always done so. This may be due to your cat’s breed, their respiratory rate, or their choice of sleeping position. As long as cat snoring isn’t accompanied by other symptoms and they are getting quality sleep, your cat may just be a natural snorer.

However, it could be abnormal if your cat is snoring loudly if the behaviour starts suddenly, or if it appears as if they’re snoring while awake. If your cat is experiencing other respiratory problems, they may be overweight or have an allergy or infection which is causing them to snore.

It’s important to look out for any of the following symptoms alongside your cat’s snoring:

Coughing
Sneezing
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Changes in behaviour
Loss of appetite
Loud snoring
Choking or gagging sounds
Noisy breathing
Breathing through the mouth
Difficulty in breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms, your cat’s snores might not be normal, in which case you should take your cat to the vet. If at any time your cat is struggling to breathe or is wheezing or panting, you should take them to the vet immediately.

In less severe cases, it can also be useful to record your cat snoring to show your vet. This allows them to see your cat’s respiratory patterns whilst snoring to determine the nature and cause of their snores, so they know how to help your cat sleep better.

When should I be concerned about my cat snoring?

You should be concerned about your cat snoring if the behaviour starts suddenly, is louder than usual, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as distress, wheezing, panting, choking or gagging. If your cat is ever struggling to breathe, you should take them to the vet immediately.

If your cat’s snoring has persisted for a long time and it seems to be affecting their quality of sleep, you should consult a vet to see if it is an anatomical problem that can be resolved with surgery. This may be necessary if your cat is flat-faced, breathes through their mouth, or has an underlying health issue.

Your cat’s snores may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing or discharge from their eyes or nose, in which case they may have a respiratory infection or allergy. It’s important to take your cat to the vet for the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Other red flags you should look out for are the following:

Open-mouth breathing: This may be a sign of serious respiratory distress
Rapid weight loss & lethargy: Any unexplained weight loss could be an indicator of an underlying health issue.
If snoring stops, starts or changes suddenly: Cats don’t tend to develop new snoring habits without reason, so these changes could indicate a health issue.
Difficulty breathing (dyspnoea): Your cat is not getting enough oxygen and needs immediate medical attention.
Gums change colours: Different colours can mean different things, but if your cat’s gums change colour, they need medical attention.
Snoring while awake: Cat’s shouldn’t snore while awake, and respiratory congestion, airway obstruction, and underlying health conditions can all be the cause of this.

These are all concerning signs, so if you notice any of these in your cat, take them to see a vet immediately.

How do I stop my cat from snoring?

You can stop your cat from snoring by resolving the underlying cause. If your overweight cat is snoring, you can support healthy weight loss. If your cat has a respiratory infection causing them to snore, your vet can prescribe treatment, or if their snoring is anatomical, surgery may be necessary.

It’s important to work with an experienced vet to properly care for your cat. If your cat is overweight, your vet can create a plan to help them lose weight safely. As a preventative measure, it’s also important to keep up with your cat’s vaccinations and administer vet-prescribed medication for any bacterial or fungal infections.

If your cat has problems with breathing due to their facial structure, narrow airways or an excess of soft tissue, your vet may suggest surgery to improve their quality of sleep. Your vet can also diagnose any allergies or other respiratory problems.

Cats are stoic animals and are therefore good at hiding their symptoms. We advise you to take your cat to the vet for regular check-ups to help detect any early signs of an underlying health illness.

Below is a list of other tips which can help reduce snoring in cats:

Maintaining a healthy weight: This helps reduce excess tissue around the airway, lowering the risk of obstruction and snoring
Ensuring proper nutrition: This can help your cat maintain a healthy weight and reduce tissue around its airways.
Managing stress: Offering a clean, safe, quiet environment can reduce the likelihood of stress-induced respiratory conditions.
Encouraging exercise: This can help your cat reach or maintain a healthy weight.
Keeping sleeping areas clean: This can reduce the likelihood of allergens like dust or mould causing respiratory inflammation in your cat. It can also reduce stress.
Annual vaccinations: By protecting your cat against viruses, vaccines can reduce the chance of or the severity of respiratory infections.
Regular worming: Parasites like roundworms can negatively affect your cat’s respiratory system, so regular worming is needed to prevent this.
Reduce allergens: Use air purifiers to remove dust, pollen or dander, and ensure you maintain a clean, mould-free environment.
Keep the environment clean: Use pet-safe cleaners to reduce allergens and stress.
Avoid Irritants: Eliminate smoking or strong sprays within your home to avoid respiratory inflammation in your cat.
Repositioning: If your cat is in an awkward sleeping position, gently shift them to a position that relieves snoring.
Medical and surgical interventions: If your cat exhibits more severe symptoms, take them to a vet to discuss medical interventions.

Whilst cat snoring can be normal, it’s essential that it doesn’t impact your cat’s quality of sleep. By helping your cat to sleep better, you can support their health, improve their energy levels and keep them happy and content. Besides snoring, cats may also engage in other unusual behaviours. If you’re wondering why your cat licks you, we explore this behaviour in our article - including if it's normal and how to stop it - if you don’t like it!

Cat Snoring - FAQ’s

Should I be worried if my cat snores?

Cats can snore for many reasons, and the answer to ‘Should cats snore?’ isn’t straightforward. Though it’s not necessarily a bad thing, if your cat does snore, you should keep an eye out for any of these symptoms alongside:

Coughing
Sneezing
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Changes in behaviour
Loud snoring
Choking or gagging sounds
Noisy breathing

More serious signs that require immediate attention are as follows:

Open-mouth breathing
Rapid weight loss & lethargy
If snoring stops, starts or changes suddenly
Difficulty breathing (dyspnoeal)
Gums change colours
Snoring while awake

Does cat snoring mean deep sleep?

Not always. Cat snoring can mean many different things and should not be ruled out as just a sign of deep sleep.

From respiratory issues, allergies, and obesity down to simply the position they sleep in, cats’ snoring can be the result of many different factors. As a result, it’s important to monitor your cat, keeping an eye out for any of the above signs alongside your cat’s snoring.