Why Does My Cat Keep Sneezing?

Causes of Cat Sneezing

If you've noticed your Cat sneezing, there's usually no need to be concerned.

This is completely normal behaviour.

Cats, like humans, will occasionally sneeze for the same reasons we do.

Sneezing is a useful bodily function that expels irritants from the nose with force.

If your Cat is sneezing, it could just be a normal part of the process of clearing its nose, which is usually not a cause for concern.

If the sneezing is persistent, or if other symptoms are present, it could be a sign of a more serious ailment.

Sneezing in Cats can be hard to diagnose for a variety of reasons.

Your vet must first confirm that your Cat is indeed sneezing.

Coughing, gagging, reverse sneezing, hiccupping, retching and wheezing are all symptoms that can be mistaken for a sneeze, and each of these symptoms has its own set of causes.

Take a video of your Cat sneezing to help your vet determine whether it is truly a sneeze.

Another difficulty in diagnosing cat sneezing is the wide range of possible causes.

Sneezing can be caused by infections, chronic inflammation, dental disease, cancer, or inhalation of foreign material.

The fact that in cats, more than one of these causes is normally present simultaneously adds to the confusion.

Here are some of the major causes of sneezing in cats:

Viral Respiratory Infections

In most sneezing cats, viral upper respiratory infections are the source of the problem.

The feline herpes virus is the most common infection.

According to some studies, 80-90% of Cats are infected with the herpes virus.

Unlike humans, cats' herpesvirus symptoms are mostly upper respiratory, such as sneezing and discharge from the eyes and nose.

Stress exacerbates the symptoms of the feline herpes virus, just as it does in humans.

Although new research suggests that current drugs may help Cats with herpes virus infections, there is no known cure, and infections are lifelong.

Calicivirus and influenza are two other viral infections that can cause Cats to sneeze.

Infections caused by bacteria

Bacterial infections are often the cause of upper respiratory symptoms in cats.

If you notice yellow or green snot coming from your cat's nose or eyes, this is a clear indicator of a bacterial infection.

In cats, nevertheless, these bacterial infections often never act alone; after a respiratory virus or other disease process damages the nasal passages, bacteria seize the opportunity to exploit the reduced barriers that normally protect the Cat from such attacks.

Bordetella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia commonly cause bacterial infections in a cat's nose.

Older cats, kittens, or those with a compromised immune system can become very sick and develop secondary infections like pneumonia.

While these infections are rarely the root cause of sneezing and other symptoms, antibiotics like doxycycline or azithromycin can significantly reduce sneezing and other symptoms, permitting your Cat to breathe more easily.

Irritation and Inflammation

Inflammation and irritation in the nose are a broad category of disease that results in Cat sneezing.

Inflammation can be caused by the infections mentioned above, but it can also be caused by almost any other cause of Cat sneezing.

To complicate matters further, inflammation can cause a Cat to sneeze, resulting in a feedback loop in which Cats continue to sneeze long after the initial problem has been eliminated or inactivated.

Chronic rhinitis is the medical term for this condition.

There is no reliable test for determining whether an inflammatory condition is a sole cause of sneezing in Cats (short of a nasal biopsy, which must be done under anaesthesia).

So, once all other causes have been ruled out, inflammation is usually the last one standing.

Foreign Substance

Foreign objects inhalation, such as grass blades, foxtails, and so on, can, of course, irritate the nasal passages.

When a Cat inhales these invaders, the body responds by sneezing to expel the foreign particles.

While this method may work for small particles such as dust, larger objects are difficult for a Cat to remove through sneezing.

These conditions can be diagnosed using rhinoscopy, which involves inserting a camera into the nose of an anaesthetized cat, or a nasal flush, which involves forcing sterile saline through the nasal passages (again, under anaesthesia) to remove the substance that the Cat was unable to sneeze away.

Dental Illness

Most pet owners are shocked to learn that dental disease can cause Cats to sneeze.

The roots of the teeth on the upper jaw are located right next to the nasal passages, as they are in many other species.

When teeth become infected or inflamed, the barrier between the tooth socket and the nose can be breached.

When the Cat eats, food particles can enter the nose and cause the sneeze reflex.

Unless the problem has advanced to the feedback loop of chronic rhinitis, treating the dental disease, either by removal of the affected tooth or closure of the abnormal hole, will usually stop the sneezing.

Because this condition is usually painful, a vet visit is highly recommended if you suspect dental disease in your cat.

Neoplasia (Tumours)

Tumours, like most symptoms, are always on the list of possible causes.

Tumours inside the nasal passage, particularly in older cats, can cause irritation and inflammation, causing the Cat to sneeze.

These tumours are normally discovered visually through rhinoscopy or a nasal biopsy.

Sadly, when they are present, the diagnosis is very poor.

Nasal tumours, like dental diseases, are believed to be painful.

Fungal Infections

While less common than viral or bacterial infections, Fungal infections are a known cause of sneezing in cats.

The most common suspect is a fungus called Cryptococcus.

Unlike viral infections, fungal infections in the feline nose can be effectively treated.

A medical examination alone will not differentiate a fungal infection from other causes of Cat sneezing, so rhinoscopy or a biopsy are usually required to make a diagnosis.

Fungal infections in this area can be incredibly painful.

Allergies

Allergies are not a prevalent trigger of sneezing in cats, unlike in humans.

Skin irritations such as lesions, itchiness, and hair loss are the most common symptoms.

Other symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and wheezing, can occur in some cats, especially those with asthma.

Home Remedies for Sneezing Cats

The treatment for a sneezing Cat varies depending on the underlying causes of the condition.

Antibiotics, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used.

Still, several home remedies can be used to decrease the frequency of sneezing occurrences :

Chicken Soup

If your Cat appears to be suffering from a common cold, chicken soup can help to alleviate the symptoms.

Ensure the soup isn't too hot because it could irritate the cat's throat.

Sneezing should be reduced, and recovery should be quicker with the warm liquid.

If you're making the soup, avoid using garlic or onions, and read the labels carefully if you're buying it.

Onions and garlic poison cats.

Steam Baths

Sneezing can be reduced by taking a steam bath, provided allergies do not induce sneezing.

The steam will clear your cat's sinuses and ease sneezing and coughing symptoms.

Place the Cat in a steamy bathroom and leave him there for five minutes.

After the steam bath, place the Cat in warm towels or under a blanket in a warmer room to prevent a cold.

Similarly, you can place your Cat in front of a steaming washbasin for a few minutes, covering him and ensuring he inhales the steam.

Hydration

If the pet has a cold or an infection, he must stay hydrated.

The water bowl should be changed regularly.

A humidifier can also be used.

Fatty Acid Supplements

Supplementing fatty acids can help the immune system, enabling the Cat to recover from a cold or infection.

Furthermore, immune system boosters will reduce sneezing and other respiratory ailments if allergies induce sneezing.

When Should to Be Concerned?

Cats, like humans, sneeze from time to time.

If your pet isn't constantly sneezing, you probably don't need to be concerned.

All it takes is a speck of dust or another small foreign body to cause nasal irritation.

Excessive Cat sneezing, on the other hand, is always a sign of a health problem.

If your Cat sneezes more than you do, you should speak with your vet about it.

Sneezing results in discomfort and distress if it remains untreated.

These signs indicate that you should see a veterinarian:

• Nasal discharge (particularly if it's bloody or yellowish-green)

• Snoring, laboured breathing, or breathing through the mouth are all symptoms of sleep apnea.

• Appetite loss.

• Fever

• Slapping the face

• Tearing out of the eyes

Diagnosis of Cat Sneezing

For a proper diagnosis, have a vet conduct a medical examination.

Nevertheless, you can and should note if your Cat has any discharge when sneezing to assist your vet in having a clear picture.

Note the appearance of the discharge, as well as its thickness and colour.

If your Cat exhibits additional symptoms, such as discharge from his eyes or sores in his mouth, he has most likely contracted an infection.

The vet will take your cat's temperature to see if he has a fever.

Take note if the Cat shakes his head a lot or paws at his nose as if something is inside.

Allergies are a possibility if the Cat acts itchy, such as rubbing his face excessively.

Similarly, if your sneezing seems to happen at the same time every year, it's most likely seasonal allergies.

If no obvious symptoms appear, your vet may conduct a series of tests to determine the cause.

Treatment of Cat Sneezing

The underlying cause determines treatment.

Antibacterial medication will most likely be prescribed for the common infection.

Your vet may give you a shot to start the process, then give you tablets to give to your cat.

An antifungal treatment will be used if your Cat has a fungal infection.

The tooth may need to be extracted to treat a dental abscess.

Polyps can be removed surgically, and cancer can be treated with conventional cancer treatments.

If your Cat has caught a bacterial infection, the only thing you can do is provide comfort while it recovers.

This could include administering fluids to the Cat and possibly forcing him to eat.

Clearing his sinuses of mucus will also make it easier for him to breathe.

The best way to avoid a viral infection is to get vaccinated against "cat flu." Consult your vet to see if this is something your Cat should do.