Voice Loss In Cats

You might have heard some people claim that their cats don’t meow, or do it so weakly that you almost can’t hear them. Is voice loss in cats a real problem? Many think that it’s something temporary, but what do you do if the problem persists?

Voice loss in cats, true or false?

True. Cats can lose their voices temporarily or permanently. In general, permanent voice loss in cats is caused by an operation, trauma, or a congenital problem.

There are many different reasons why your cat may have aphonia. It’s really easy to spot because their meows or purring will be so quiet or non-existent. Just like with people, when cats are cold can also cause aphonia in cats.

The cold causes irritation of the larynx, which prevents a cat from “talking” as normal. The larynx plays an important role in the sounds a cat makes. Therefore, if it’s irritated or swollen, the sounds they make can seem seriously affected or even disappear completely.

How to know if your cat has lost their voice

The first way you’ll realize that your cat has lost their voice is by the sounds they produce. If your cat is eating and playing normally, but the sounds they produce are just less frequent. So, there’s not too much to worry about.

However, as mentioned earlier, the irritation of the larynx which forces your cat to make hoarse, dry, and short sounds. In order to stop your cat from catching a cold and thus losing their voice, you need to dry them well when you’ve given them a bath or when they get wet from the rain. Never give your cat cold water to drink, even when it’s really hot. It’s better to give them water at room temperature.

Another cause of voice loss in cats is stress. You already know that cats are creatures of habit and routine. When something slightly changes, this can cause temporary voice loss which will disappear when things return to normal.

And what if the loss of voice lasts for a long time?

If your cat has light aphonia and their voice hasn’t changed, don’t worry. However, if this lasts for a long period of time, then you should start to be a little concerned.

Aphonia can be quite normal as long as it doesn’t last more than three or four days, just like with people. However, if your cat is having other complications, then you should take them to the vet.

This aphonia could be the result of a respiratory disease or a sign that they have inhaled or ingested something poisonous. This could have damaged their larynx or another part of the respiratory apparatus.

Of course, it goes without saying that there is no medication for your cat, regardless of what you might have used, or what other people might recommend.

Your vet will be able to identify the cause of the aphonia and give them the treatment they require. Therefore, you should follow your vet’s instructions in order to help your cat recover their voice.

Even if the problem is caused by illness or a respiratory infection, it tends to be solved without that much problem. Above all, stay calm, and work with your vet to help your cat recover their voice.

Remember, paying attention to your pet is an important responsibility in order to be sure that everything is OK and that they’re not having any other complications.