Cat owner shows how to tell vital difference between asthma and hairball

Those who are lucky enough to have cats will know all about the joys of hairballs. Hairballs are a common by-product of your pet grooming themselves, and the occasional one is absolutley harmless.

An often slender and cylindrical shaped collection of hair that forms after your pet grooms, a cat with often vomit up a hairball. However, if your cat is coughing up hairballs frequently, it could be time to see a vet.

In addition, cat owners should be looking for signs for whether it's just a hairball, or something more serious, such as asthma. A cat owner from Washington DC in the US has shared some of the ways you can tell whether your cat has asthma or just a hairball.

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The cat owner often shares videos of her two cats Leo, who has asthma, and Lucy, who "has thumbs". Taking to TikTok, the cat owner shared: "Caught Leo with a hairball tonight and thought I’d make this video for people wanting to see the differences between hairballs and asthma! To me it's really obvious when you see them side by side. I hope people find this helpful! Poor Leo."

She then shared two clips, one of when Leo is suffering from the following asthma symptoms:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Getting low

• Stretching out neck/head

• Walking forward (although she noted this could just be typical of Leo)

She then shared another video, of when Leo had a hairball, and shared the symptoms:

• Gagging sounds

• Heaving

• Quieter

• Body arched out

• Tongue out

• Backing away (this is what Leo does, but may not be typical of all cats)

Warning, below video ends with cat having a hairball

According to the Blue Cross, like in humans, asthma in cats "is a chronic inflammation of the small passageways in the lungs". It can often be brought on by allergy or stress, and usually develops between the ages of two and eight. It's incurable, btu can be managed with the right care and medication.

• They listed the below symptoms:

• Wheezing

• Rapid or difficultly breathing, especially after exertion

• Persistent cough or gagging

• Frothy mucus while coughing

• Neck extended upwards and gasping for breath

• Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck extended and low to the ground

• Overall weakness and lethargy

• Audible throat gurgling

• Increased swallowing

• Blue lips

If your cat is displaying any of these symptoms, you should speak to a vet straight away. Coughing or wheezing is a serious health issue, as it happens because the lungs are inflamed and are at risk of developing scarring.