Question about coughing and allergies in cats [View All]

My boy furbaby Spidey has been coughing intermittently for a few days. He is a very long haired kind of guy, and, usually the coughing results in copious hair balls appearing on my carpet.

The last few days, however, have not been hairball-productive.

Today was particularly bad for him. I was cleaning up a storm, and I caught him coughing after the cleaning was nearly done.

Then, we had visitors (my son and his wife). Spidey, who used to be fairly brave when it came to visitors, hid under my bed for the entire time they were here.

We all went out (for a birthday party for me), and, when I finally got home tonight, he was coughing and coughing. I was really concerned that he might have a hair ball "stuck".

I was very worried, and, I decided to try catnip on him (he usually merely smells catnip on the floor, and then rolls in it...I think he is an "instant" catnip addict, LOL!), and, he engaged in his usual behavior with the catnip. Since then (about two hours ago), no coughing.

What I think is that the catnip relaxed him. I guess I just wonder why he is now showing some signs of (1) allergy, but maybe (2) he is more anxious than he has ever been.

I think I might be able to answer #2. I was home with him 100% for about two years as I was unemployed, and, now I am working a very long day (with three hours of commute time).

So, he and his brother Jake are home now alone for very long hours.

My question -- is coughing in cats sometimes a sign of anxiety?

TIA!!!