Why does my cat have a raspy meow

Your cat probably communicates with you daily with little meows and other noises. However, if your cat has gotten hoarse, it may simply be a temporary vocal issue that will clear up quickly. It could also be caused by a medical problem that needs veterinary treatment. Finding the cause of the hoarseness, and then treating that cause, will help your cat get its voice back in no time.

1. 1

   Take your cat to a veterinarian. If your cat is extremely hoarse or has lost its voice completely, you should have it checked out by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will be able to inspect the cat's throat and vocal chords in order to find the cause.

   • It is likely that your veterinarian will ask you about the cat's symptoms first. Then they will do an examination of the cat.
   • Your veterinarian may have to do a variety of tests on the cat, including blood tests and imaging tests to look internally at its throat. These tests may require your cat to be put under anesthesia.

2. 2

   Remove any stuck items from your cat's throat. Your veterinarian may find that your cat has gotten something stuck in its throat, and that's causing the hoarseness. For instance, it is not uncommon for cats to swallow thread with the needle still attached, and then this gets stuck somewhere. Your veterinarian can treat the problem by carefully removing whatever foreign item is there.

3. 3

   Treat any infections present. If your veterinarian discovers that your cat has some sort of infection, such as those associated with viral upper respiratory infections or obstructive inflammatory laryngeal disease, then they will suggest treatment options. With most cases, medication will be prescribed to eliminate the infection.[1] X Research source Go to source

   • In the case of obstructive inflammatory laryngeal disease, your veterinarian is likely to prescribe both corticosteriods and antibiotics to control the infection.

4. 4

   Have growths removed. If your veterinarian finds growths or tumors have caused your cat's hoarseness, they will typically suggest surgical removal and treatment with medicine. Discuss your veterinarian's treatment plan and why they are suggesting it.[2] X Research source Go to source

   • Squamous cell carcinoma and other tumors in the oral or nasal cavity can cause hoarseness in cats. Treatment depends on what type of tumor your cat has and where it is located, but in most cases includes removal followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.[3] X Research source Go to source

5. 5

   Have hyperthyroidism treated. Hyperthyroidism is a problem with the thyroid that results in an overproduction of hormones. It usually occurs when there is a tumor on the thyroid. Hoarseness is a known symptom of hyperthyroidism in cats. In order to eliminate the hoarseness, the hyperthyroidism needs to be treated. This is usually done with either medication, surgery, or radioactive-iodine therapy.[4] X Research source Go to source

   • Discuss treatment options for your cat with your veterinarian. Depending on the severity of your cat's hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian may suggest one, two, or all three types of treatment.

6. 6

   Have your cat evaluated for allergies. Just like people, cats can become allergic to things in the environment, such as pollen and dust mites. This can make their throat sore, which can cause hoarseness. Ask your veterinarian which medications they recommend you give your cat for managing allergies.

7. 7

   Treat laryngeal paralysis. Laryngeal paralysis is a rare condition in cats, but it can be the cause of hoarseness. When the larynx is paralyzed, the cat is unable to vocalize and breathing can be compromised.[5] X Research source Go to source In the rare cases of laryngeal paralysis in cats, the cat will likely require surgery to relieve any obstruction and allow it to vocalize.[6] X Research source Go to source

   • In very rare cases, rabies can cause laryngeal paralysis. Be sure that your cat is tested for rabies if it is diagnosed with this condition and there is any chance that it has been exposed to rabies.[7] X Research source Go to source
   • This surgery can be very risky for cats, as it has a high rate of pneumonia during recovery.

1. 1

   Let the cat rest its voice. Sometimes hoarseness occurs simply because the cat has used its voice too much. For instance, if a cat gets trapped somewhere and repeatedly cries to get help, this can stress the cat's vocal cords and cause it to be hoarse for a day or two. In most cases, the cat's voice will come back on its own with some rest.[8] X Research source Go to source

   • If your cat has recently had a traumatic incident like this where it used its voice excessively, and it has no other symptoms, then you may want to let the cat try to recover on its own for a few days before seeking veterinary care.

2. 2

   Make sure your cat is drinking enough water. If a cat is parched and has not been drinking enough water, its voice can be affected. Giving your cat some fresh, cool water and encouraging it to drink may clear up your cat's hoarseness immediately.

   • Cats should always have access to clean drinking water. Restricting their water can be hazardous to a cat's health, in addition to affecting its voice.[9] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Give prescribed medications. If your veterinarian has prescribed medications to treat your cat's condition, you should give them to your cat and follow the directions provided. Give the medication for as long as prescribed and give it to your cat as often as directed.

   • It can be difficult to give cats medication, especially in pill form. If you are having a hard time getting your cat to take pills, you may need to restrain it.

4. 4

   Provide aftercare. Depending on the treatment that your veterinarian provides, you may need to provide aftercare to help your cat recover. If your cat has had surgery, you will need to make sure any incisions stay clean and heal correctly by changing bandages and making sure the cat doesn't mess with its injuries. Getting a cat to leave incisions alone usually requires putting a cone, also known as an Elizabethan collar, on the cat.[10] X Research source Go to source

   • You will also need to make sure your cat is comfortable, is fed nutritious meals, and is not in pain.

1. 1

   Notice when your cat meows less often. When interacting with your cat on a regular basis, pay attention to how it meows and how often. It may be that your cat is less vocal than usual and that is how you discover it is hoarse.

   • Some cats are more vocal than others, so when they stop meowing it is very noticeable.

2. 2

   Listen for changes in your cat's meow. When your cat becomes hoarse, it will have a hard time meowing or making other vocalizations. Take the time to listen to your cat closely for meows that sound strange and unusual.

   • While the sound of a cat's meow can change over its lifetime, the changes associated with aging are very different from those related to disease.

3. 3

   Assess the cat for other symptoms. If your cat has a hoarse voice, you should look for other symptoms of health problems. This will help you assess the seriousness of your cat's condition. If your cat has any of these symptoms, it could signal a serious health problem that needs veterinary care:[11] X Research source Go to source

   • Weight loss
   • Digestive problems
   • Abnormal growths or skin conditions
   • Lethargy
   • Trouble breathing
   • Discharge from the nose or mouth
   • Sneezing or coughing

This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Baker is a Veterinarian and PhD candidate in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. This article has been viewed 63,827 times.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 63,827 times.

• "The pictures and reasons a cat can become hoarse."