An occasional sneeze in a cat is always normal and has no real cause for alarming issues. As it happens in humans, sneezing in cats is an explosive release of air through their nose and mouth and it is often the body’s response to irritants in the nasal passageway. Experts in an emergency vet hospital near me say that too much excitement or sudden movements can also bring on sneezing in cats. However, if your cat’s sneezing is not going away after a while or if other symptoms have cropped up along with sneezing a lot, then you may need to check with your veterinarian to see if treatment is needed.
Causes of Sneezing in Cats
If your cat is sneezing a lot, then your veterinarian may initially suspect a cause based on an inspection of your cat’s symptoms. Experts in small animal neurology say that one of the main causes of sneezing is infection. In some cases, the Veterinarian may take a swab from the mouth, throat, eyes, and nose and send it to a laboratory to confirm an infection. Inhaled irritants or allergens are other common causes of sneezing among cats.
Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections may also persist in cats and if you have got a sneezing cat, chances are likely that the cat has an upper respiratory infection. It is somewhat similar to colds in humans and these infections are more common in young cats, especially in those who come from animal shelters. Many of these infections which persist can be prevented with early and complete vaccinations.
One of the BrightCare Animal emergency says that Viral infections that may commonly cause sneezing in cats are:
- Feline herpes virus:
Cats catch these herpes viruses from exposure to other cats who may be infected with the same. Stress can cause an escalation as well as transmission to other cats. Treatment is primarily aimed at controlling the symptoms. Feline herpes virus is however non contagious to humans.
- Feline calicivirus:
Feline calicivirus is highly contagious among cats. Mouth ulcers are the most common problem that develops as a result but it can also potentially affect the respiratory tract and even cause pneumonia.
These types of virus infections may make your cat more likely to develop other respiratory problems that can give potential rise to more sneezing. For example, a cat with the herpes virus may also develop a secondary bacterial infection and most of them are often treatable with antibiotics.
A wide range of other viral or other infections may also lead to sneezing. They may include:
- Feline infectious peritonitis: It may generally cause no symptoms, mild symptoms, or more severe symptoms over time.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): This type of infection that develops slowly but severely impacts a cat’s immune system just leaving the cat vulnerable to other infections.
- Feline leukemia: It is a serious and often fatal infection in cats.
- Chlamydia: This is a type of ailment that often produces an eye infection or conjunctivitis.
- Bordetella
- Mycoplasma
- Inhaled irritants or allergens.
If your cat only sneezes once in a while, something may generally be irritating the nasal passages. In such cases, look for patterns in your cat’s sneezing. Does it occur after you’ve lit the candles at the dinner table? Or, After your cat leaves the litter box? or, after you’ve cleaned the house?
These are all examples of potential irritants or allergens in cats:
- Cigarette smoke.
- Pest sprays.
- Cat litter is often the type that creates dust.
- Cleaning agents.
Other potential causes of sneezing are a variety of other factors that may contribute to sneezing in cats. For example, it is common for cats to experience sneezing within four to seven days of receiving an intranasal vaccination. This sneezing can last for no more than several days. Cats may also sneeze to try to clear out a blockage in their nasal passages. An infection or inflammation of a tooth root may cause drainage into the sinuses and may also cause sneezing in cats. In very rare and complex cases, sneezing in cats can be a possible sign of cancer.
When to See A Veterinarian?
If your cat sneezes only once in a while, has no other symptoms, or has only mild symptoms, you may want to simply keep them under observation for a few days. Keep your cat indoors and watch for any subtle changes in their behavior. Also make sure to call the vet if your cat sneezes continuously or often, is sneezing blood, or may have other signs such as those listed above. They may be signs of an illness or condition that requires emergency veterinary care. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the sneezing. In mild cases, the vet may suggest taking steps to simply help your cat be more comfortable with using a humidifier. In some cases, antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids, or fluids may be required.
Final Thoughts:
In cats, allergies are a less common cause of sneezing than they may exist in humans. If sneezing is relevant to allergies, then sometimes itchy skin is also present. Therefore it is important to visit a vet and hence provide your friend with the best treatment as per their requirement.