Why do cats snore? Normal snoring vs signs of a problem

Why do cats snore?

Snoring is the sound of air moving past relaxed, vibrating tissues in the upper airway: the nose, the soft palate at the back of the mouth and the throat. When a cat falls into deep sleep, these muscles relax and the airway narrows slightly. Air passing through makes the tissue vibrate, producing a snore. It's the same reason people snore.

Cats sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day, and they cycle between light sleep and deep sleep. Snoring is most likely during deep sleep, often when your cat is completely relaxed and stretched out.

Is cat snoring normal?

For many cats, yes. Gentle snoring is usually normal if your cat:

• Has snored softly for a long time without any change.
• Breathes quietly and easily when awake.
• Is eating, playing and behaving normally.
• Has no sneezing, nasal discharge or eye problems.

It's worth knowing your cat's normal pattern, so you can spot changes.

Which cats snore most?

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds

Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayans and other flat-faced cats have shortened skulls, narrow nostrils and a crowded airway. They snore and snuffle much more often, and some struggle to breathe easily, especially in heat or during exercise. Read our Persian cat guide for more on the health of flat-faced breeds.

Overweight cats

Fat deposits around the throat and neck narrow the airway, making snoring more likely. Check whether your cat is a healthy weight with our cat weight checker.

Older cats

Muscle tone in the throat can decrease with age, so some cats start snoring in their senior years. If snoring is new, though, it's still worth a check-up.

Cats in certain positions

Cats sleeping on their backs, with their heads tilted back or squashed into a corner, often snore more. It usually stops when they shift position.

When cat snoring may be a problem

Snoring can be a symptom of something narrowing or blocking the airway. Contact your vet if your cat's snoring:

• Started suddenly or is getting louder.
• Happens with noisy breathing while awake (snorting, wheezing or stridor).
• Comes with sneezing, nasal discharge or nosebleeds.
• Comes with a change in voice, gagging or difficulty swallowing.
• Comes with open-mouth breathing, fast breathing or reduced exercise tolerance.
• Is accompanied by weight loss, poor appetite or lethargy.

Medical causes of snoring in cats

Upper respiratory infections

Cat flu and other infections cause congestion, which makes cats snore and snuffle. Signs include sneezing, discharge and watery eyes. Most cats improve within one to three weeks. See our guide to cat cold symptoms.

Allergies

Allergies to pollen, dust or smoke can inflame the nose. Read can cats get hayfever.

Nasopharyngeal polyps

Polyps are benign, fleshy growths that develop at the back of the throat or in the middle ear, most often in young cats. They cause snoring, noisy breathing, nasal discharge, ear problems and sometimes head tilt. A vet can usually remove them under anaesthetic.

Foreign bodies

Grass blades and other objects can be inhaled into the nose, causing sudden sneezing, pawing at the face, discharge from one nostril and snoring.

Nasal tumours

In older cats, a tumour in the nose can cause snoring, discharge (sometimes bloody) from one side, facial swelling and weight loss. Early investigation gives more treatment options.

Dental problems

Tooth root infections in the upper jaw can spread into the nasal passages, causing discharge and snoring. Our cat dental chart explains which teeth sit close to the nose.

How vets investigate snoring

Your vet will listen to your cat's breathing, examine the mouth, nose and throat, and ask about the history. Depending on the findings, they may recommend:

• Treatment for infection and a recheck.
• Blood tests.
• X-rays or CT scans of the head and chest.
• Examination of the nose and throat with a camera (rhinoscopy) under anaesthetic.
• Biopsies or samples for culture.

How to help a cat that snores

• Help overweight cats slim down slowly, using our cat food calculator to set portions.
• Reduce irritants: avoid smoking indoors, scented sprays, dusty litter and plug-in air fresheners.
• Use a humidifier or let your cat sit in a steamy bathroom if its nose is congested.
• Offer supportive beds that keep your cat's head slightly raised.
• Keep flat-faced cats cool in hot weather and avoid overexertion.
• Book a check-up if snoring changes.

Why do cats snore more in winter?

Some owners notice their cat snores more in the colder months. Central heating dries the air, which can make the lining of the nose drier and more irritated, and cats tend to sleep more deeply and for longer when it's cold. Colds and cat flu also spread more in winter, especially in multi-cat homes. A bowl of water near a radiator or a humidifier can help keep the air moist. If snoring comes with sneezing or discharge, treat it as a possible infection.

How cats sleep

Cats spend much of the day dozing in light sleep, ready to wake at the slightest sound. They drop into deep sleep for shorter periods, and this is when snoring is most likely. During REM sleep, which follows deep sleep, cats may twitch their whiskers, paws and tail, chatter or make tiny sounds, which is thought to be linked to dreaming. A cat that feels safe and settled spends more time in deep sleep, so a snoring cat is often a very relaxed cat.

Recording your cat's snoring for the vet

Breathing noises often disappear in the consulting room, where cats are alert and stressed. A short video on your phone of your cat snoring, and of its breathing when awake, is extremely useful. Try to capture the sound clearly and show your cat's chest and nose. Count the breaths per minute while it's asleep too: 20 to 30 is normal, and more than 40 at rest needs prompt attention.

Questions your vet may ask

• When did the snoring start, and has it changed?
• Does it happen in every sleeping position?
• Is your cat noisy when breathing while awake or during play?
• Any sneezing, discharge, nosebleeds or changes in voice?
• Has your cat's appetite, weight or energy changed?

Snoring vs other sleep noises

Not every sound your sleeping cat makes is snoring. Cats twitch, chatter, purr and make little squeaks during REM (dreaming) sleep. These are normal. Purring in sleep is also normal. Snoring is a rhythmic, rumbling sound with each breath. If you're unsure, record a short video to show your vet.

Does snoring affect a cat's sleep?

For most cats, gentle snoring doesn't disturb their sleep at all. Cats with significant airway narrowing, such as some flat-faced breeds, may sleep less deeply, wake more often or prefer to sleep with their chin propped up on a toy or the edge of a bed to keep their airway open. If your cat seems tired during the day, sleeps in strange positions to breathe, or startles awake, mention it to your vet, as surgery to widen narrow nostrils can help some brachycephalic cats breathe more easily.