Enlarged Heart in Cats: Causes and Symptoms of Cat’s Heart Enlargement

October 19, 2010 | Cat Health | Leave a Comment |

People have a fondness for keeping pets. While the supposed “man’s best friend” is a dog, there are some people who prefer keeping cats as pets and treat cats with the same care and love dogs often get. Unfortunately, despite supposedly having nine lives, cats also suffer from various health problems including suffering from the enlargement of the heart.

What Causes Enlarged Heart In Cats?

Enlarged heart in cats, otherwise known as congestive heart failure, happens when the heart muscles of the cat become weak.

When this occurs, the left ventricle somewhat increases in size, making it hard for the heart to pump blood. Once blood begins to collect inside the left atrium, there is a lack of proper blood circulation all over the body of the cat.

Initially, the heart may take action and try to alleviate this problem without intervention. However, if it does not succeed, the heart may not be able to sufficiently pump blood to all body parts of the feline, resulting in heart failure. Also read about heartworms in dogs

Other causes of an enlarged heart include the following:

  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Viral infections encountered earlier in life
  • Read the home remedies for incontinence in dogs
  • Presence of tumors, heartworms and heart beat abnormalities
  • Deficiency or absence of taurine in the cat’s body
  • Genetics – some breeds like Persians, Maine Coon, etc. have a higher risk of inheriting an enlarged heart.
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Symptoms of Enlarged Heart In Feline

Like dogs, most cats do not show signs or symptoms of having an enlarged heart. As a result, a number of owners have to deal with the sudden loss or death of their feline companions without realizing that their pet has suffered from heart failure. More information on cats heart murmur and treatment options.

However, there are some small signs that the cat may experience such as the following:

  • Weight loss
  • Lethargy (Read more about why cat is lethargic and not eating ).
    • .
  • Lack of activity
  • Loss of appetite
  • Coughing
  • Also read symptoms of heart enlargement in dogs

When any or a combination of these symptoms are observed, it is best to have the cat checked by a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible.

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