Beyond the purring, meowing, and the occasional chirp of delight, you don't want to hear any odd sounds coming from your cat. When the sounds seem to indicate a breathing problem, it's an outright cat-astrophe, and is in need of immediate investigation.

1. An Upper-Respiratory Infection

Just like humans, cats can catch nasty colds. If your feline is showing signs of upper-respiratory infection, such as nasal drainage, strained breathing, lethargy and loss of appetite and/or interest, you should bring him to a veterinary clinic on the double.

2. Persistent High Humidity

Humidity levels can affect cats, particularly due to the fact that they don't sweat the way people do. When they're warm, it's their paws that may sweat, offering little in the way of cooling off. The longer they're stuck in the humidity, the more uncomfortable they'll become. A cat that's too hot may succumb to other heat-related complications, like cramps and fatigue. Most especially if your cat is spread out on the floor and not eating much, it's a pretty good bet the humidity is overwhelming him.

Turn air-conditioning and fans on for him, or, if he appears too overwhelmed, give your veterinarian a quick call; he may need to be seen.

3. The Presence Of Mold

Mold is a dangerous thing, to anyone who breathes it in. Your cat may be closer to sources of mold than you, offering you a quicker clue about the possible dangers in the home. If your cat is breathing with greater effort than usual, making weird breathing sounds, sneezing, has a runny nose and/or malaise, ask yourself the following questions regarding the immediate environment:

• Is it particularly damp?
• Is there a basement or crawl space under the floor(s)?
• Do you always smell something musty?
• Is there any evidence of mold or water damage, from floor to ceiling?
• Have any renovations recently been done, such as tearing up floors or old carpeting?

If your cat has respiratory issues, either something is going on with him, such as an upper-respiratory infection, or there's something going on the house. Talk to a vet and your landlord or a mold-removal company, pronto.

4. Dry Air

Winter air can leave your cat in discomfort, much the same way it can you. If the air is too dry, you'll notice your cat's nose isn't wet and he may have frequent bouts of sneezing. Invest in a humidifier, as the dry air isn't good for people, either, especially those with asthma and other breathing-related difficulties.

5. Dusty Litter And Other Irritants In The Environment

If you use a lot of perfume or cologne or air-freshener, this could bother your feline. Also, litter that contains a lot of dust or artificial scents might also leave a cat with a choking sensation. Look for a natural litter and try to save your perfumes for the car or work. 

6. An Upcoming Hairball

When a cat has a hairball in development, he's likely to wheeze, gag, cough and otherwise display a host of odd behaviors. This should be just fine, so long as the hairball eventually comes up. If it seems stuck mid-way up or if he suddenly stops coughing them up, he should be seen by a vet, to ensure the hair isn't trapped in his digestive system.

If apparent breathing problems have you concerned, call your vet. Even if it's something benign in the environment, you need to know what's going on and your favorite feline needs you to do something about it, right away.