Why Does My Cat Sneeze?

Feline herpes virus

Cats can get infected by being exposed to other cats who have herpes. Some of the common symptoms are sneezing “attacks”, discharge from nose and eyes, fever, depression, eye ulcers, pink eyes, etc. It should be clear that feline herpes is not contagious to humans.

Feline calicivirus

This virus is highly contagious between cats. Some of the common symptoms are sneezing, nasal congestion, discharge from eyes and nose, inflammation in tongue, etc. This virus can even cause pneumonia.

Allergies

If your cat is allergic to something, they will probably experience itchy skin. Although sneezing due to allergies is less common in cats than in humans, it's still a possibility. Try to observe if they tend to sneeze and scratch themselves in similar situations.

Upper respiratory infection

Sneezing is a common symptom of upper respiratory infection (UPI). This is often referred to as the “feline cold or flu” and last anywhere from 7-21 days. Other symptoms include discharge from nose or eyes, coughing, fever, dehydration or loss of appetite.

Feline infectious peritonitis

Interestingly enough, this infection may not present symptoms, it may also present mild or even severe infections. It will depend on each cat. Unfortunately, FIP is difficult to diagnose in most cases. It is also fatal in almost all cases.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

This virus develops slowly but severely impacts a cat's immune system. Therefore, it will also leave the cat vulnerable to other infections. Other symptoms include diarrhea, fever, weight loss, enlarge lymphs nodes, hair loss and more. This virus is also not infectious to humans.

Feline leukemia

This serious and, almost always, fatal infection only affects cats. Like many other infections, it's transmitted through urine, feces, saliva and blood. Other symptoms include pale gums, yellow color in their mouth, poor coat condition, enlarged lymphs nodes, fever, diarrhea, trouble breathing, progressive weakness, etc. Learn more in our article about feline leukemia.

Feline chlamydia

The classic symptom is a persistent conjunctivitis. This is an inflammation of the pink lining of the eyelids and transparent covering of the eyeball. It commonly starts in one eye only, before spreading. Other than sneezing, other symptoms include nasal discharges, fever and loss of appetite. Thankfully, death from chlamydiosis alone is rare. With the proper treatment, the cat should recover quickly.

Feline bordetella

Feline bordetellosis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other symptoms include coughing, nasal and ocular discharge and fever. Signs typically last 7-10 days. However, in occasional cases (especially in young kittens) infection may be more severe and can sometimes result in life-threatening pneumonia.

Feline mycoplasma

This is a relatively uncommon infection in cats.The major transmission route of FHM is thought to be biting, blood-sucking parasites such as fleas.

As we've previously mentioned, cats that are sneezing a lot may also present other symptoms that indicate an underlying health issue. These symptoms may include:

• Eye discharge or swelling
• Excessive nasal discharge
• Fatigue or depression
• Fever
• Drooling
• Decreased appetite
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Wheezing or coughing
• Poor coat condition
• Trouble breathing
• Diarrhea

If your cat sneezes once but doesn't display any other symptoms, you shouldn't worry as it must've been dust or another airborne particle. However, if your cat is sneezing continuously and is even experiencing other symptoms, it's time to visit the veterinarian.

Then, your veterinarian will be able to examine and diagnose your cat. They will also find the correct treatment for the indicated illness. In mild cases, your veterinarian will tell you to use a humidifier at home or be aware of an allergy your cat has. In other cases, antibiotics, nasal decongestants, steroids, or fluids may be needed. In rare cases, your veterinarian may need to perform surgery on your cat if the medical therapy isn't successful.

If you observe your cat continuously sneezing, you should bring them to their veterinarian for a check-up to make sure it's not a serious disease. Especially if they are presenting other symptoms. Early detection and diagnosis will help treat the health issue early on before it gets too serious.

Lastly, we want to share this video from the veterinarian Dr. Andrew Jones where he explains effective home remedies for sneezing cats. He will also speak about the feline herpes and how to tell if your cat has this condition. With that being said, it's always best to go to a veterinarian in person so your cat can be examined and treated by a professional.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Does My Cat Sneeze?, we recommend you visit our Breathing diseases category.