We have gathered all the information here in this article to help you find out the causes behind your pet sneezing. You might be able to tell why your cat is sneezing and whether or not you have to run towards the clinic.
Let’s find out.
Why Does My Cat Keeps Sneezing? Is It an Allergy or Upper Respiratory Infection?
There are many reasons why they sneeze, and most are non-life-threatening.
- Due to airborne particles and dust
- Respiratory infection
- Smells from chemicals
- Nose tickle
- Bacterial infection
- Objects such as hair, grass, or lint
- Infection of teeth that cause problems with sinuses
- Inflammation of sinuses or nasal cavity
- Feline herpes
Do Cats Sneeze a Lot?
If you notice that your cat is sneezing quite often, there’s probably no reason for you to worry. There is a chance that a foreign object like a hair went into their nose, or it could be something as simple as a nose tickle.
But if you see your cat sneezing multiple times, then you should see if there is any pattern. Do they do it when they are in a specific room or after something they ate? If you notice a pattern, then there is a possibility that you might be able to figure out whether an irritant is causing this or is it because of some infection.
Furthermore, check if the cat sneezes after doing its business in their bathroom. If that’s the case, there is a possibility that dust in litter or a chemical present in the cleaning products is the culprit.
You must see if any discharge is coming out of their eyes or nose. Also, notice if your cat shows signs of loss of appetite. Cats like to play, so see if your cat is displaying a lack of energy or is struggling to wake up.
If these are the symptoms of your cat, it could mean something might be wrong with your animal. You might have to put your cat under veterinary care.
When to Take Sneezing Cat to the Vet?
You should not rush to the vet the very minute your cat starts to sneeze. You might want to wait at least a day if the other symptoms are mild. But, keep in mind, the same is not true when it comes to kittens. A kitty needs immediate care after displaying any other symptoms.
A proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary if the sneezing comes on a row with other symptoms. See if your cat has stopped taking in food. Cats do not eat properly when they are suffering from upper respiratory infections because they cannot smell or taste the food.
You should know, cats cannot survive long without food, and they get into starvation mode, which could lead to life-threatening situations. It may start bleeding rapidly internally. Your pet will need surgery for that. This is why it is so imperative to recognize the symptoms and take them to the doctor at the right time.
Infections that Cause Sneezing in Cats
Here are a few infections that may be why the animal is sneezing repeatedly:
Nasal and Sinus Issues
If your cat is sneezing a lot and its sinuses are inflamed, then there is a probability that it has sinusitis.
Symptoms
- Nasal discharge is clear in mild cases, bloody or green in serious ones
- Breathing using their mouth
- Snoring
- Mucus or discharge from the eyes
- Pawing the face
- The bridge of the nose has a lump
Treatment
To treat such cases, the animal may be given antibiotics or steroids. If the case is quite severe, they may be required to give intravenous fluids.
Upper Respiratory Infections
This can cause a cat to sneeze continuously. These infections may be caused by viruses, fungus, and even bacteria. They tend to last from a week to three weeks. This infection is quite common in cats.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Eye discharge
- Boogers or snot from the nasal passage
- Lack of energy
- Cough
Treatment
Mild cases get better with antivirals, antibiotics, steroids, and drops. Make your pet drink water to avoid dehydration. The severe cases might require hospitalization.
Chronic Upper Respiratory Conditions
This is among those diseases that also cause sneezing constantly. The symptoms are very similar to the cat flu, but the only new thing about this is that this lasts for weeks or even months.
Symptoms
- Sniffling
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Runny nose
- Thick and yellow nasal discharge
- Sneezing fits
Treatment
You must do urine and blood tests to detect out virus infections. Advanced imaging of the chest, nose, head, and pharynx should be done. Biopsies from the nose must be done to find out the presence of organisms. Checking cat breath is important if you suspect your cat has bacterial infections.
There is no cure for this disease. The only thing you can do is manage the symptoms with great care and attention. Go to the vet if your cat shows these symptoms.
Allergies
You will be surprised to know that this one is actually not a common cause of sneezing in cats. A usual way to show signs of allergies is through skin irritations like lesions, hair loss, and itchiness. But cats may have symptoms such as wheezing, watery and itchy eyes.
Preventative Steps to Stop Your Cat from Getting Sick
As you already know, taking prevention is better than treatment. If you go out of your way to make sure that your animal is safe, you will be able to save it from getting sick.
Always clean the cat litter frequently, throw away any irritants and keep your cat indoors if they show signs of sickness.
Also, you must vaccinate the animal. Sometimes sneezing may occur due to vaccines, too, but that resolves on its own. So, help your cat get better immunity.
Similar Posts:
- Why Is My Dog Sneezing So Much?
- Do Cats Snore? Reasons Why Your Cat Makes Snoring Noises? An In-Depth Look at the Question
- Do Cats Get Morning Sickness? Signs of Pregnancy in Cats. How to Help Your Pregnant Cat? Find Out!
- Do Cats Get Cold? How To Keep a Cat Warm In Winter
- Why Does My Cat Drool? 6 Reasons of Hypersalivation in Cats
- Why Is My Dog Coughing and Gagging?
- Why Is My Dog Wheezing? Causes of Wheezing in Dogs & Treatment Options
- Why Is My Dog Nose Dry? Find Out the Reasons
