Feline asthma affects around 1% of cats and causes significant respiratory distress, but can be well-managed with inhaled medications delivered through a specialised spacer device.
Feline asthma causes episodes of acute respiratory distress that are frightening and potentially life-threatening for affected cats. The development of cat-specific inhaler spacer devices has transformed management, enabling targeted delivery of medication directly to the airways while minimising systemic side effects. However, training cats to accept inhaler treatment requires patience and positive reinforcement. Trigger identification and environmental modification reduce episode frequency and severity, improving chronic welfare alongside acute treatment. Owners who understand asthma management can transform the quality of life of affected cats.