Why Does My Cat Keep Sneezing?

It can be funny when cats sneeze as their entire facial expression changes. But when it happens too often or if a cat develops sneezing fits, it could be a cause for alarm.

But what causes sneezing in cats in the first place? We answer this question in today’s article, so keep on reading!

5 Reasons Why Your Cat Keeps Sneezing

Allergic reactions

Cats can be allergic to a variety of things in their environment. Some can even be allergic to pollen, like dogs can sometimes be, but others can develop respiratory issues as a result of being exposed to cigarette smoke.

Keeping your cat’s living space clean is definitely a must if you want to make sure that he or she doesn’t become sick. Dust, mildew, and mold can create breathing issues in all cats, and this includes sneezing.

Some cleaning products can also be so harsh that your pet might become allergic to them, too. Try to opt for eco-friendly and pet-safe cleaners as much as possible if you see that your cat doesn’t exactly love your cleaning supplies.

Upper respiratory infections

Like any other animals, cats can suffer from colds every now and then, and sneezing is one of the symptoms they might show. However, they can also contract pathogens that are more dangerous, such as viruses and even fungi.

Viral infections caused by Calicivirus and Herpes Virus are known for causing sneezing in cats, but they tend to produce other symptoms as well such as coughing and eye and nasal discharge.

Nasal and sinus health problems

As uncommon as they might be in our feline friends, rhinitis and sinusitis are two possible health problems that cats, like humans, can develop. Rhinitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose, while sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus lining.

The biggest issue with these two medical complications is that they can often become chronic. Cats that have rhinitis or sinusitis will show a number of other clinical signs besides sneezing -  difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, tearing, and a possible lump on one side of the nose or on their nose bridge.

Trauma

If your cat has recently been through an accident, his or her anatomy might have suffered significant modifications.

If your cat can’t manage to breathe properly through the nose, sneezing might merely be a natural attempt to get rid of any secretions or ‘readjust’ their nose.

Foreign objects

Continuous sneezing can be a symptom that shows up when a cat inhales a foreign object such as lint or a very small piece of grass (or even a seed).

As you can imagine, this can be extremely uncomfortable and ticklish, so the cat will continue to sneeze until he or she manages to get the object out naturally.

If that's not possible, the sneezing will continue. Keep in mind that in some cases, the grass seed or whatever obstacle might be in your pet’s nose could create serious inflammation and discharge and lead to quite laboured breathing. If this happens, seek out veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

When should you go to the vet?

Continuous sneezing can be a bit worrying, so you should contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment as early as you can.

If your feline friend shows other symptoms, you will have to go to the vet hospital even sooner. Here are some examples:

• Fever

• Nasal and eye discharge

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Pawing at the face

Preventing sneezing in cats

Changing your household products could have a significant impact on your cat’s over-all health and could decrease the frequency and length of any sneezing episodes you might have witnessed.

Some types of litter can be very dusty, so they could create respiratory problems in cats. Consider changing the brand with one that’s made of eco-friendly ingredients such as grains or tofu.

If you regularly use air fresheners, candles, scented laundry detergents, or if someone in your home smokes, these could all be causes of your cat’s sneezing.

Finally, taking your cat to the vet at least once or twice a year for a regular check-up is definitely the best way of going about things. Senior cats are more likely to have chronic health issues, so they need to be seen by a veterinarian at least twice a year. Additionally, make sure that your cat’s vaccination plan is up to date to prevent feline infectious diseases.