Just like us, cats can lose their voice occasionally throughout their lives . While it's not a very common problem, it's possible that one day their voice might change slightly. If this happens, we need to find out why, as they may have caught a chill or, in more serious cases, be ill.
For these reasons, if we ever wonder what to do if our cat is hoarse , here we will find the answer to our question  .
What are the causes of aphonia in cats?
A cat's larynx is quite similar to ours, and it functions in a similar (but not identical) way. Just as we can lose our voice when we catch a cold, shout too much, cough or sneeze a lot, or have an illness or irritation like laryngitis, the same can happen to our beloved furry friend.
To prevent this, it is important to give your cat a high-quality (grain-free) diet that keeps its immune system strong, and to prevent it from going outside on cold days , especially if it is a cat that gets cold easily and likes to hide under blankets to protect itself, as they are usually the ones who catch colds more quickly.
How to know if my cat is hoarse?
When a cat has trouble vocalizing, you'll quickly notice that its meows become deeper, more broken, and even hoarse . Its meows may also be shorter, as it can't produce them any other way due to problems with its vocal cords.
If the case is severe, it may even lose its voice , that is, it will open its mouth intending to meow, but will not be able to make any sound.
What to do to help you?
If your pet has lost its voice, the first and most important thing to do is take it to the vet. As we've mentioned, there are several reasons why your pet might have lost its voice, and to get better, it may need antibiotics or other medications that only a veterinarian can recommend. Never self-medicate your pet , as this could endanger its life.
At home, it's a good idea to make homemade chicken broth and add it to his food . This way, by eating food that's warm, his throat will recover better.
What do the voice changes mean in your cat?
In addition to the reasons mentioned above, cats can also experience changes in their voice and become hoarse for other reasons . It's important for cat owners to be aware of this so they can seek professional help as soon as they notice anything unusual happening with their cat's voice.
Whenever they notice changes in their pets' voices, most cat owners generally remain calm. After all, everyone has experienced a bad cold, one during which they almost lose their voice completely. You'd usually think it was annoying, but not a serious health problem.
While this statement might be true for humans, the same cannot be said for felines. In fact, voice changes in cats generally indicate an underlying health problem and not just a cold. Therefore, you should not take this problem lightly.
A lesser-known fact about felines is that their vocal cords are not unique; they possess an extra membrane, the ventricular cords. These ventricular cords are commonly used for purring. When your cat purrs, these "wires" vibrate at a rapid rate without completely closing the trachea.
Common reasons why your cat experiences voice changes
Changes in voice or hoarseness in cats generally indicate a mechanical interference with the vocal process or a lack of stimulation of the nerves associated with the vocal cords. According to veterinarians, respiratory infections can cause changes in a cat's voice, but these are very rare. Mechanical and neurological interferences responsible for this situation include :
Trauma
If a cat experiences a severe injury to the neck area, it could interfere with vocal cord function . Keep in mind that inflammation in the throat area does not necessarily occur due to penetrating injuries.
Abscesses
The reason you should reconsider letting your cat roam freely in your backyard is that the bones of small animals they catch and eat can become lodged in their tonsils, larynx, or throat, causing swelling. Additionally, veterinarians report abscesses resulting from fights.
Tumors
Malignant and benign tumors that appear in the larynx and throat area will exert pressure and compress the normal tissue. At the same time, primary nerve tumors can lead to a loss of stimulation in the vocal cords. Sometimes, cancerous growths that occur in the surrounding areas of the throat can compress the laryngeal nerves and silence the vocal cords.
Autoimmune conditions
Just like in humans, a cat's white blood cells can become overactive, a common symptom in most autoimmune conditions. If this happens, the white blood cells will attack and damage the nerve, thus limiting its ability to send impulses to the vocal cords and larynx.
Muscle disorders
They might theoretically serve a different function, but many pet owners don't realize that the vocal cords are actually a muscle. Therefore, if your cat suffers from a muscle disorder, the condition will block the neuromuscular junction and lead to changes in or loss of voice.
Psychological reasons
If you've recently moved to a new home, your cat may still be getting used to it. Sometimes having visitors stay the night or getting a ton of new furniture can also lead to a lack of meowing.
Separation anxiety can also trigger this type of behavior , although it is more common for depressed or anxious cats to meow constantly rather than remain silent.
Another psychological reason for a lack of meowing is a cat's personal association with meowing . If something painful happened the last time it tried to meow, it might be suppressing its voice intentionally. Such post-traumatic behavior is often accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or destructive behavior.
Temporary loss of voice
Another reason for the lack of meowing could be a temporary loss of voice. Similar to how you lose your voice when you've been screaming all night at a concert, your kitty could go through something similar too. Temporary loss of voice is not a cause for panic. Your cat should be back to normal vocalization in a couple of days.
Upper respiratory infections
Even generally healthy cat breeds can develop respiratory infections, regardless of age . Among the most common upper respiratory illnesses in cats is feline herpes. Colds, allergies, calicivirus, and other similar respiratory problems can easily cause a sudden loss of meowing. If you think your cat has an upper respiratory infection or respiratory condition, call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Rage
If you allow your pet to roam freely outdoors, it could contract rabies from another infected animal. Rabies often causes a hoarse voice, so much so that it may sound as if a cat is simply opening its mouth without making any meowing sound. If there is even the slightest possibility that your kitten has been near a rabid animal, you should take it to the veterinarian's office immediately.
Laryngeal paralysis
Laryngeal paralysis is a dysfunction of the voice box, typically caused by age or degeneration of the vocal cords. If your cat has this condition, its vocal cords will not produce any sound.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a health disorder caused by overactive thyroid glands. Older cats are more likely to develop it than their younger counterparts. While it does happen, this is not a common cause for cats to lose their meow.
Nerve damage
Another possible reason for a cat's loss of meow is damage to the nerve that controls the voice box. This damage can be caused by external compression or internal trauma. The damage is often caused by foreign objects, such as blades of grass or twigs, in the laryngeal region.
Given the seriousness of the causes responsible for partial or complete voice loss in cats, we believe it's understandable why early intervention is absolutely essential. With a few exceptions, most conditions that lead to voice changes are manageable. Therefore, if you notice your cat losing its meow, don't delay taking it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
And, of course, you must keep it warm and, above all, give it a lot of love so that little by little it can recover.