When Should You Worry About A Cat Snoring?
Many people now know that when it comes to humans, snoring can potentially be a warning sign of some problems. It might concern you, then, to hear your cat snoring in its sleep. Here's what you need to know about this condition, its safety, concerns, and some ideas on what you can do about it.
When It's Normal
Some cats simply snore without any serious impact to their health. This is typically due to an issue with their breathing, which may be temporary or permanent depending upon them personally.
Cats often snore when they're curled up tightly into a ball and fast asleep. This is simply because their airway is partially curved, which makes it a little harder for air to flow through it, and because their fur or body may be partially obstructing their nose as they inhale. Alternatively, a cat breed with a flatter snout, like Persians, may snore more than those who don't have the flat snout. There's no particular danger in either of these scenarios.
When It's Not
When your cat snores when it's stretched out or nothing is covering its face, it might mean that there's an issue.
Generally, a cat that snores when it shouldn't does so because it's overweight. Just like with humans, once asleep, the airway partially collapses in on itself. This is because the muscles relax and the airway is surrounded by fat pads. Unfortunately, this can make it very hard to breathe while asleep, and that often manifests as the sound of snoring.
What to Do
If you suspect that your cat is a little on the heavy side—or a lot—you should visit a veterinarian's office such as Buck Road Animal Hospital. Helping a cat to lose weight is a complicated process and should only be attempted with the help of a professional.
Cats who lose weight too quickly are at risk of developing fatty liver disease. This is essentially a problem where the body can't process stored fat efficiently, and the liver can shut down as a result. You obviously want to avoid this if at all possible, so work with a veterinarian to find out what kind of diet and exercise plan will help your cat to lose weight gradually and safely.
If your cat is overweight, losing some ought to help relieve its snoring problems. However, if it continues to be an issue, make sure to talk to your vet to find out if there's an obstruction or something else going on on the inside that could be causing airway problems.