Cats love to sleep. That\u2019s no secret. For all the time cats spend sleeping \u2014 which they do more than anything else \u2014 you\u2019d think cat owners would be more aware of cat snoring. If you have been surprised by slumber-related noises coming from your cat and wondered if those snoring sounds are normal, read on.<\/p>\n
The short answer is: Yes, some cats snore. Cats have sleep cycles just like people do. During the rapid eye movement (REM) phase, you may see your cat\u2019s whiskers twitch or feet paddle. They also experience a deeper, more relaxed sleep. It\u2019s during this sleep phase that snoring may occur.<\/p>\n
For many snoring cats, nothing is wrong. But in some cases, snoring may indicate a medical concern.<\/p>\n
Although less common in cats than dogs and people, snoring is usually caused by some type of partial blockage in the \u201cupper airways\u201d \u2014 the nose, back of the mouth (pharynx) and throat. During deep sleep, the tissues of the upper airways are fully relaxed and can vibrate audibly during breathing. That\u2019s how the body makes the snoring sound.<\/p>\n
There are several reasons why a cat snores. The most common reasons include:<\/p>\n
Given that many of the contributing factors to cat snoring are relatively harmless, how is a cat owner to know when to seek veterinary care for a snoring cat?<\/p>\n
Cat snoring is unlikely to be an issue if your cat has always snored while sleeping and the snoring isn\u2019t linked to difficulty breathing or becoming more pronounced over time. But if your cat suddenly starts snoring, the snoring becomes increasingly louder, or other symptoms like sneezing<\/a>, nasal discharge, coughing or a change in meow are present, it\u2019s time to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian.<\/p>\n Any time you have questions about your cat\u2019s health or behavior is a good time to have your cat examined by a veterinarian.<\/p>\n Of course, if your snoring cat is among the 60 percent of U.S. cats who are overweight or obese, your veterinarian can help you with a weight loss plan for your kitty. Odds are your cat\u2019s snoring will subside as he or she slims down.<\/p>\n You can find tips on helping your cat lose weight here<\/a>. And if you think your kitty will hate you for putting him or her on a diet, check out this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n