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Why Is My Cat Sneezing?

Rebecca Schmidt • Sep 03, 2013
Cats will sneeze for any number of reasons just like people. A variety of issues could cause your cat to have sneezing attacks. If your cat sneezes infrequently, there may not be anything to worry about. If your cat sneezes more frequently, it may be time to visit the vet to find out what’s ailing your sneezing cat.

Reasons for why your cat sneezes range from allergens and irritants in the air to a more severe infection or illness. Keep track how frequently your cat sneezes and do a little detective work to see if there could be something in the environment that is causing your cat to sneeze.

Irritants

If your cat sneezes infrequently or if there is a pattern, common irritants could be the cause. Cigarette smoke, scented candles, air fresheners, incense, hair spray, perfume, cleaning agents, pest sprays, cat litter that creates dust, scented cat litter, pollen, mold and general dust could all trigger sneezing. If you can pinpoint what causes your cat to sneeze, you can remove that irritant from the environment. If the sneezing continues, it may be time to consult a veterinarian.

Upper respiratory infections

Upper respiratory infections are common in cats, especially if they’ve been boarded or have recently been in a shelter or rescue environment. Upper respiratory infections are spread from cat to cat and being in a stressful or unfamiliar situation opens the door for these types of infections. Upper respiratory infections are contagious and must be treated by your veterinarian.

If your cat has all or some of these symptoms : frequent sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing with excessive swallowing, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever or lethargy, your cat could have an upper respiratory infection. You should visit your vet for diagnosis and best course of treatment. The good news is that some upper respiratory infections are preventable thanks to vaccinations that last three years.

Other infections

There are a wide range of other infections that could also be at the root of your cat’s sneezing. Feline herpes virus is passed from other infected cats and may flare up in stressful situations. Feline calci virus attacks the mouth and deep tissues of the lungs and although it has mild symptoms, it may cause pneumonia. Your veterinarian can diagnose both of these infections and plan a course of treatment.

There could also be a variety of more series issues brewing in your cat such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV), Chlamydia, and Bordetella.

Dental issues

If your cat is sneezing and has stinky breath, there could be a dental problem. A tooth abscess or gum disease can trigger sneezing in cats that are painful and could lead to other health issues. Dental problems are more common in cats that are three-years-old or older.

Other causes

It’s pretty common for cats to experience sneezing within four to seven days of receiving an intranasal vaccine (to prevent upper respiratory infections). The sneezing generally lasts a few days.

When to see the veterinarian

If your cat’s sneezing is infrequent, monitor your kitty for a few days. Check for irritants in your home to see if those may be a trigger. Call the vet if your cat sneezes frequently or has other signs of illness and or loss of appetite. If you are unsure, call your veterinarian for a recommendation.

Prevention

The good news is that many of the more severe issues that cause your cat to sneeze are preventable if your cat is up to date on vaccinations. The following core vaccines are considered vital to your cat’s overall health and they include panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline calici virus, feline rhinotracheitis and rabies. Depending on your cat’s lifestyle, your vet may recommend additional vaccinations.
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