Why Do Cats Sigh? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
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Just like people and most mammals, cats can sigh, which is a feature of normal respiration and is mainly a spontaneous event. Usually, they sigh in similar instances that people sigh, and their signs may generally mean the same thing! Cats may sigh when they’re relaxing, bored, and content. They might sigh briefly when they wake up from a nap or just as they get comfortable enough to fall asleep, while people also sigh if they are sad, tired, or worried.
If cats sigh when content, it can be an indication of happiness. Sighing can also be a sign of boredom, however. Usually, sighing isn’t anything serious. You don’t have to worry about it indicating underlying health issues as long as it’s not excessive or too frequent. Sighing is usually just a normal deep breath that’s part of the breathing process!
However, if your cat has suddenly started sighing a lot; they don’t seem like themselves; their breathing seems labored, rapid, noisy, very deep, or shallow; or they are quieter, sleeping more, eating less, or showing any other changes in their behavior, a vet check is due to make sure they are okay.
3 Reasons That Cats May Sigh
Sighing as a deep breath is a consistent feature of normal mammalian respiration.1 When done spontaneously, it reflects a complex response to lung inflation controlled by the vagus nerve. The sigh may be of importance in prevention of lung collapse during normal breathing, and it assists in the initial inflation of the lungs at birth.
Like people, intentional sighing can occur for various reasons in cats. Here is a short explanation of common reasons that cats may sigh.
1. Relaxation
Cats may sigh when they are relaxed. They may sigh right after they wake up or before they go to sleep. It’s normal to see cats stretch out, sigh, yawn, and snuggle back up during a nap. It’s a sign of relaxation and contentment. Stressed cats may not sigh as often.
Sighing is like deep breathing—it is relaxing. It releases excess carbon dioxide and helps relax facial and other muscles in the body. It may be a precursor to sleep for many felines.
2. Contentment
Contentment and relaxation go hand in hand. However, cats sigh when they aren’t necessarily relaxed but very content. For instance, if your feline is lying on the couch, they may sigh as part of their contentment.
Stressed and anxious cats will usually be wound up too much to sigh. Therefore, if your cat is sighing, it may be a good sign that they aren’t stressed or anxious. However, you shouldn’t assume your cat is entirely content based on their sighing alone.
Sometimes, cats will also sigh when they are stressed. Usually, this will be accompanied by other stress behaviors. If your cat is relaxed and sighing, it usually isn’t a sign that they are anxious.
3. Boredom
If your cat is bored, they’re probably just lying around. In this situation, it isn’t uncommon for your feline to sigh. They’re relaxed, but they’re only relaxing because they don’t have anything better to do.
Boredom can come in many forms. Sometimes, cats will attempt to make their own fun, which may result in destructive and naughty behaviors. If your cat is climbing around on the cabinets and getting into places they shouldn’t, they may be bored.
These periods are usually interspersed with times of lying around and not doing anything or seeking attention. Sighing can occur during this period. Some cats need more mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy than others. If your feline sleeps for incredibly long periods and has a lot of unused energy when they are awake, it can be a sign of boredom.
In these situations, we recommend introducing more mental stimulation and physical exercise. You can invest in climbing trees for your feline, as many cats find great fun in climbing. Or you can invest in puzzle toys specifically designed for cats, as well as perches, scratching posts, and other interactive toys. Either way, your goal should be to improve the amount of mental stimulation in your cat’s day, which should stop undesirable behaviors.
Why Does My Cat Sigh Loudly?
Some cats sigh more loudly than others. Typically, it isn’t a sign of an underlying problem. Some cats are more vocal or may randomly be more vocal during certain times. Cats often sigh when relaxed. If they are sighing particularly loudly, it could be that they’re more relaxed.
Of course, just because your cat doesn’t sigh loudly doesn’t mean they’re stressed or anxious. All cats have specific ways of expressing themselves, and some felines sigh loudly more often. There usually isn’t an issue with your cat sighing loudly. In most cases, it’s just a sign that your cat is snuggling up to go to sleep or enjoying their current situation.
However, if your cat is not usually a sigher and now they are doing it frequently and more obviously, or there are any other signs of breathing difficulties or general illness, they should be checked by your vet immediately.
What’s the Difference Between a Sigh and a Huff?
Sighing and huffing are different, even though they often sound the same and can be easily mistaken. Sighing usually happens when the cat is relaxed and half asleep. Your cat will likely show other signs of relaxation, such as heavy eyes.
Most cats will be stretched out or curled up in a position they like to sleep in. Cats that are tense and wound up usually aren’t sighing. On the other hand, cats huff when they’re completely alert.
For instance, cats often huff to signify their irritation. Therefore, whatever is irritating them is usually what they’re focusing on. Their eyes probably won’t be closed, and they aren’t likely to be in a sleeping position.
Cats huff at other cats as a warning. It isn’t quite as aggressive as a hiss, but it gets the same point across. When a cat huffs at another cat, it’s a signal that the other cat needs to get away, or things may escalate.
Cats often resort to huffing instead of hissing when they’re irritated but not necessarily frightened. A cat may huff at another when they know there is no real danger, but they’d still rather the other cat be elsewhere. If the feline worries about the other cat harming them, they’re much more likely to hiss and growl instead.
However, huffing may also indicate a respiratory issue or pain. This can be accompanied by signs of pain, lethargy, noisy breathing, sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, open-mouth breathing, excessive vocalization, or other signs that something is wrong. Get your cat checked out by the vet urgently if they are suddenly huffing and are not using it as a means to express their discontent or to communicate with another animal or people.
Is Sighing a Sign of a Problem?
In many cases, sighing is not a sign of any problem. There are no medical conditions for cats with sighing as one of the main signs. If your cat is sick, they are likely to show other signs, alongside sighing.
However, fatigue and lethargy are common signs of illness. Cats are good at hiding their illness. In the wild, any sign of illness could result in them being attacked by a predator. Domestic cats don’t have to worry about being attacked in our homes, but these innate instincts apply. Our cats will still hide their illness until they become very sick.
Usually, when your cat shows undeniable signs of illness, they have been sick for a while. Lethargy is usually one of the first signs that your cat feels unwell. While they may not show any outward signs of pain, they may stop moving quite as much and as quickly as they would before. They may lie around and sleep more, which can lead to more sighing.
However, if they are in pain, some cats may also sigh. Anything that helps a cat relax may lessen their pain, which is likely greater if they’re all tensed up.
Therefore, sighing can accompany illness. If your cat is lying around more, they’ll probably sigh more. However, sighing itself isn’t a common sign of illness. As sighing is really taking deep breaths, some cats may also show changes in their breathing, with it becoming more intense, fast, labored, noisy, and shallow. Or they may occasionally breathe with an open mouth or cough and retch. Any of the mentioned breathing difficulties indicate a medical emergency, and your cat should be seen by the vet straight away.
Conclusion
Cats sigh for several reasons. Usually, it is a sign that your cat is relaxed and enjoying life. Sighing is generally an involuntary or spontaneous respiratory response of taking a deep breath, but it can also be done on purpose, particularly if your cat is bored. This is unlike in people, who can sigh when sad or depressed, as well as in instances of boredom and relaxation.
Often, sighing is just a part of a cat’s relaxation routine. They’ll often get comfortable and ready to go to sleep before sighing. Many may wake up between sleep cycles, get comfortable again, and then sigh. Some sigh when they’re simply relaxing but not necessarily sleeping.
Either way, sighing is generally not a sign of a problem. It’s a sign that your cat is content and peaceful. They aren’t worried about anything suddenly coming up and disturbing their sleep.
However, some medical conditions can cause cats to lie around more than usual. In those cases, they may sigh more simply because they’re lying around more. However, taking excessively deep breaths or showing any signs of respiratory difficulties, lethargy, or general illness are an indication to get your cat checked out by the vet as soon as possible.
Sighing can be considered when indicating your cat’s current mood, but only when combined with other signals. Don’t assume that your cat is entirely relaxed (or not) based on the amount that they’re sighing. Just like most animals, cats have their preferred way of communicating. Some merely sigh more than others.
See also:
- Why Do Cats Suck on Blankets? 5 Reasons for This Behavior
- Do Cats Get Cold? How to Tell & Ways to Prevent It (Vet-Approved)
Featured Image Credit: Marvin Otto, Pixabay
