Medically reviewed by Ruffly’s Veterinarian Friends — licensed veterinarians, and pet parents themselves. Last reviewed June 9, 2026.
TL;DR: Flovent (fluticasone propionate) is an inhaled corticosteroid veterinarians commonly prescribe to control the airway inflammation behind feline asthma — it’s used for ongoing, daily maintenance. Ventolin (albuterol/salbutamol) is an inhaled bronchodilator used as a rescue medication to open the airways during a flare-up. Both are given through a cat-sized spacer (aerochamber) and face mask held over your cat’s nose and mouth for about ten seconds. Feline asthma is usually a lifelong condition, so diagnosis, the choice of inhaler, and the exact schedule should always come from your veterinarian. These are prescription products.
If your cat has been coughing, wheezing, or having sudden bouts of labored breathing, your veterinarian may diagnose feline asthma and recommend an inhaler. Here’s how the two most common inhalers work, how to actually give them to a cat, and how to keep the ongoing cost manageable.
This article is educational and isn’t a substitute for veterinary care. Feline asthma can be serious — work with your veterinarian on diagnosis and dosing, and seek urgent care if your cat is in respiratory distress.
Feline asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways. Inflammation makes the airways swell and constrict, which causes coughing, wheezing, and episodes of difficult breathing. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, it affects an estimated 1–5% of cats. It can’t usually be cured, but it can be well-managed — and inhaled medications have become the preferred way to do that because they deliver the drug directly to the lungs with fewer whole-body (systemic) effects than pills or injections.
These two inhalers do different jobs, and many asthmatic cats are prescribed both.
| Flovent HFA (fluticasone) | Ventolin HFA (albuterol / salbutamol) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug type | Inhaled corticosteroid | Inhaled bronchodilator |
| What it does | Reduces airway inflammation | Opens constricted airways fast |
| When it’s used | Maintenance — given on a regular, ongoing basis | Rescue — as needed during flare-ups |
| Onset | Builds control over time | Acts quickly for acute relief |
Your veterinarian sets the plan: the corticosteroid is typically given on a regular daily basis to keep inflammation down, while the bronchodilator is used as needed for flare-ups. Don’t change the schedule without your vet’s guidance.
Browse Flovent HFA inhalers and Ventolin HFA inhalers, or see all medications for cats.
Cats can’t be told to “breathe in on cue,” so inhalers are delivered through a spacer chamber (such as an AeroKat-style aerochamber) fitted with a soft mask. The medication is puffed into the chamber, then your cat breathes it in over several breaths. Most cats accept it with patience and acclimation.
A typical routine (follow your veterinarian’s specific instructions):
Introduce the mask gradually — let your cat sniff it, pair it with treats, and work up to full use over several days. The Merck Veterinary Manual and VCA both have step-by-step demonstrations worth reviewing.
Inhaled therapy delivers medication straight to the airways where it’s needed, which means it can control symptoms while limiting the systemic side effects associated with long-term oral or injectable steroids. That targeted approach is why veterinary specialists increasingly favor inhalers for long-term feline asthma management. Your vet will weigh what’s right for your cat.
Because feline asthma is usually managed for life, the ongoing cost of inhalers is what matters most. Two ways to keep it manageable at Ruffly:
Ruffly’s medications are internationally sourced from licensed pharmacies and pharmacist-verified, and shipping is free over $49. Prescription is required — you can upload it, have us contact your vet, or transfer it from another pharmacy.
Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces the airway inflammation behind feline asthma. Veterinarians prescribe it for ongoing, daily maintenance to keep symptoms controlled. It requires a prescription.
Flovent (fluticasone) is a steroid that reduces inflammation and is used for maintenance. Ventolin (albuterol/salbutamol) is a bronchodilator that quickly opens the airways and is used as a rescue inhaler during flare-ups. Many asthmatic cats use both, as directed by their vet.
Through a spacer chamber (aerochamber) with a soft mask placed over the cat’s nose and mouth. You puff the inhaler into the chamber and hold the mask for about 7–10 seconds so your cat breathes the medication in. Introduce it gradually with treats.
These are human-labeled inhalers used off-label in cats under veterinary direction — a well-established practice in feline asthma management. Only use them if your veterinarian prescribes them and follow their instructions; never start or change inhaled medication on your own.
Yes. Flovent and Ventolin are prescription products. You can upload your prescription, have Ruffly contact your veterinarian, or transfer it from another pharmacy.
It usually can’t be cured, but it can be well-managed long-term — often for life — with the right inhaled medications and veterinary monitoring.
See Flovent HFA and Ventolin HFA, or browse all cat medications. Have a prescription? Upload it here. And always talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
