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I have a 12 yr old tabby cat has been coughing for at least 6 months off and on but is otherwise in good health. When he coughs he sounds like he has bronchitis or the croup. He's eating and drinking fine, but lays around most of the time.

 

Coughing in a cat is not normal.  Although people can occasionally cough to clear their throats or from a chest cold, cats should not.  Coughing in a cat is a sign of either feline asthma or less commonly, heart worm disease or migrating parasites.  If your cat has a cough that is regular, it is most likely feline asthma and can be dangerous. It can be diagnosed from symptoms, x-rays and may require additonal tests such as a blood test to rule out heart worm, a stool test to rule out worms and a sampling from the airway called a tracheal wash.  Sometimes a trial on corticosteroids works to determine the cause if the coughing subsides. SO, please have your pet evaluated for the cough- because... cats shouldn't cough!