Why do cats snore ?

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We took well advantage of our hour of additional sleep this weekend…

ZORRO : It’s true, you even snored !
PIXIE : Zorro ! A young lady does not snore, come on !

What is snoring ?

Snoring is a noise emitted during breathing. It occurs when soft tissues of respiratory tracts begin tp vibrate during breathing, or when they are blocked.
Some cats snore, and for the majority of them, there is no reason to worry. A regular snore during the sleep, which is not bound to a respiratory difficulty, to a cough, or to a loss of appetite, and which does not modify (apneas or worsening) is generally not a problem. Breeds with a short nose, as the Persian or the exotic shorthair are more inclined to snore than other breeds : the shape of their snout involves that their respiratory tracts (and often lacrimal canals) are compressed. Our angel Hercule was a champion : we heard him snoring up to the next room !

However, in some cases, snoring is the sign of a health problem.

Obesity : the surplus of fat around the neck of overweighted cats can lead to snoring. Obesity is more disturbing than the snore in this case, but it would be better to maintain your cat at a normal weight.
Allergies
Foreign matter : a simple blade of grass badly placed in the pharynx can cause a snore, and the help of the veterinarian can be necessary to remove it.
Asthma
Infections : a commonplace affection of the respiratory tracts which is not cured by itself can turn into infection. Tissues are congested, there is production of mucus, and respiratory tracts are shrunk. A medical treatment is necessary.
Cyst, tumor, or polyp : these invisible thicknesses are difficult to detect and require a surgical operation ; it can be cancerous.
Respiratory distress syndrome : a snore combined with difficult breathing, a cat who snores by inhaling with an open mouth in a jerky way, which seems to look for his air, is a medical urgency !

Cats of any age and any breed can snore, but at the slightest doubt, go to the veterinarian !

PS – PIXIE : I do not snore.

23 thoughts on “Why do cats snore ?”

Gattina 26 October 2015 at 9 h 02 min

I would say it’s the same with men, only a cat snoring is more cute !

Georgia and Julie 26 October 2015 at 9 h 24 min

Mom says we only snore once in a while depending on the position we are in.
We think Mom snores more
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ

Summer 26 October 2015 at 9 h 56 min

I believe you, Pixie!

Mariodacat 26 October 2015 at 11 h 12 min

Very good information, and I did not know about much of it. Thank you for covering the subject.

Sammy 26 October 2015 at 11 h 13 min

Of course YOU don’t snore Pixie, but I must confess that I DO snore once in a while. Makes my Mom and Dad laugh when I do but sometimes I’m so deeply asleep that I can snore like a chainsaw! HAHA

Hugs, Sammy

Chuck Huss 26 October 2015 at 11 h 38 min

I think I have heard Chris snore on rare occasions but I see him having a bad, or at least an exciting, dream even more.

Caren Gittleman 26 October 2015 at 13 h 55 min

Thank you for this informative post, I never knew that allergies could make a cat snore! Cody sometimes snores and sometimes it would worry me. Thanks for this post!

Brian Frum 26 October 2015 at 15 h 12 min

That was really great info, we’ve never thought much about the snoring thing.

Hannah and Lucy 26 October 2015 at 16 h 06 min

We don’t snore very often and of course it’s always very lady like!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Rosa @ Cat Lady Confidential 26 October 2015 at 18 h 05 min

Mister Cat also snores sometimes (even though he says he doesn’t), even though you can hardly hear it. Didn’t know snoring could be a sign of health problems. Thanks for sharing this information!

Frimousse 26 October 2015 at 18 h 53 min

I, Frimousse, never snore.
My friend RouXy does snore very oftezn and very loud. He’s got a “flat” nose !
http://frimousseblog.fr/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/102315_soir-1.jpg