Dry cough, no other symptoms?

Hello everyone, I'm hoping someone can tell me if they have ever experienced this before.

My cats name is Frosty Beast, he is a four year old neutered male. About 9 lbs, last time I took him to the vet he was within ideal weight for his size (he's pretty small for a male). He and I were living in Florida until November when we had to move back in with my parents in Oklahoma. He was fine in Nov and Dec, aside from having to deal with my moms two dogs again. The last week of Christmas I switched his food from Blue Bufflo to Hills Slim and healthy (I switch is food every few months, he actually enjoys getting something new and just gobbles it up). About a week and a half after switching his food, I noticed he'd started having a dry cough. It wouldn't happened everyday, but the days it would he'd cough twice or so. It always happened while he was lying down, and he'd stick his head out and dry cough three or four times, then go back to whatever he was doing (usually sleeping). It never seemed strained, but he also never coughed anything up.

After the beginning of the month the temperature suddenly dropped and I got a severe cold, lasted three weeks and took three doctor visits to get under control. That happens when you are no longer used to winter! So I switched him back to his old food about two weeks after going to the new food, thinking maybe hes allergic to something in the new food. It lessened to only about once a week, but was still happening. I thought then maybe he had a hairball (he does have medium length fur), so I tried giving him pumpkin and plain vanilla yogurt. That was about a week and a half ago and he hadn't coughed since... until tonight. He did the dry cough again tonight while I was working.

He's had no other symptoms than the cough, eating and drinking fine. Nothing seems unusual in his stool, he's not puking and is not lethargic. No eye or nasal drainage. I would definitely know if he was because he is very active and loves to play, and he never coughs after playing which leads me to believe its not asthma. He loves being outside but I've been very weary about letting him go out because of the coughing, because I'm starting to think maybe it is the sudden temperature change thats done this.

Has anyone ever experienced a dry cough at night? Is it something to really worry about? Is there any sort of immune support I can try? Because we haven't lived here in a long time I don't have a vet to go to, the one I had has since retired so not sure where to go. He just doesn't act "sick", its like he had a cold and this is just a residual cough off of it. I'm going to call a few in the morning, but I love my baby and its just really upsetting me cause its just a cough, but he can't tell me if anything else is wrong.

I doubt the problem is his food. I've heard of other symptoms from changing foods/allergy to foods but not a cough. If he has something viral or bacterial, it wouldn't be caused by the weather, but asthma symptoms could be triggered by colder, drier air. I think a vet visit is a good idea so they can listen to his lungs and give you a diagnosis. It doesn't sound like he's in any real danger right now, but if this is something chronic you'll want to know how to manage it. If it is asthma he might need medication, but in the meantime a humidifier could help.

Just a note on the topic of keeping your cat safe and healthy: you mentioned that he likes to go outside. I really encourage you not to let him out unsupervised because of how perilous it is outdoors for housecat. Outdoor cats are often victims of predators, cars, parasites, and feral cats with contagious diseases. Also cats are an invasive species and wreak havoc on native bird populations. You don't have never let him outdoors, though. Leash training is a very good option for cats who still like to explore the outdoors.

He's always supervised in fact he won't stay outside if I come in. I once had sudden diarrhea while we were outside and ran in, and he came in and sat in the bathroom with me! He's a mommas boy. Mostly he just likes sitting on the patio or rolling in the grass.

Oh good!

Yeah, I've trained him from a very young age to be on a lead, and yard boundaries. I even trained that if I put my hand down to the ground to come to me, and I'll pet him. So now anytime we are out and I put my hand close to the ground he comes running! It worke too well, once my neighbour how is allergic to cats came over for dinner and put his hand down while telling a story and Beast came running up and rubbed all over his hand!

I have a small humidifier I'll get out to see if it helps, and call some vets tomorrow. I just wasn't sure since it won't go away. I've had cats all my life and have never experienced a cough that has lasted this long. It's just weird. My mom has asthma and is super winded after any activity, but he's never coughed after vigourous play (which happens many times of day, he's spritely!). Perhaps it affects cats differently. Hopefully I can find out soon.

Wow, what a good kitty! Sounds like you've done a great job with him.

Oh, I skipped over the line in your first post where you mentioned you didn't think it was asthma, oops. Yeah, I've never had a cat with asthma, but I do have asthma myself that is triggered by cold air and illness (and cats once upon a time but allergy shots fixed that thank goodness) but not exercising. But that's just a guess on my part. I hope you find a vet you like!

Is he goose-honking? Or sticking his neck out? Does he have eye boogers? Is your cat vomiting at all?

My cat has a mild case of asthma that wasn't diagnosed until she was a few years old. But she's also had one (luckily) respiratory illness that required a month of antibiotics. And with the asthma, she doesn't hardly ever take anything, and is usually just fine.

My cat has noticeable stress reactions. If her environment is changed, and we move somewhere where we are not the only ones there, getting used to other people is stressful for her. It doesn't make her cough (she vomits )--but I'm wondering if stress plays a part in how your cat is doing. It sounds like there have been a lot of changes, and maybe your cat seems ok, but is a little stressed.

Took Beastie into Banfield today because they have a free first visit, and the vet said his lungs were clear. Her opinion was allergies, which wouldn't surprise me because I'm allergic to everything oklahoma lol we aren't staying here long luckily. For now he just need a cloratab everyday. Thanks for the input thoigh! It really put my mind at ease last night that others had seen this before. The vet said over the counter chloratabs you can get at walmart is just fine for cats, incase anyone else has a cat with allergies.