We have moved! Your cat hops up beside you on the couch, nuzzling your hand in an attempt to get pet. Once he takes a seat, he sneezes three times in a row. Even though sneezing is not always tied to a serious health concern, you should be sure to understand what causes it and when you need to take your cat to the vet.
If your cat is sneezing, it may be difficult to pinpoint the cause. There are various, reasons why your cats may be experiencing this symptom including:. Not every sneeze is a cause for concern, but it is important to look for a pattern in the sneezing, as well as other symptoms.
These symptoms are your sign to head to the vet:. When your cat is experiencing more than just a nose tickle, other health concerns may arise. There are three main respiratory issues that often cause problems for cats, including:. Nasal and Sinus Issues — Rhinitis and Sinusitis are also common among cats.
Thankfully, we do have vaccines for both herpesvirus and calicivirus, and they are part of the kitten series your veterinarian will recommend. It is important to follow recommendations for vaccine boosters to make sure that your kitten develops adequate immunity to be protected.
Other infections that can cause sneezing include: feline immunodeficiency virus FIV , feline leukemia FeLV , feline infectious peritonitis FIP , chlamydia, bordetella, and mycoplasma.
There are quick tests that can check for FIV and FeLV, and it is strongly recommended to test all new kittens before adding them to your home to prevent the spread of these diseases to your other cats. Some of these infections can be vaccinated against if your kitten is at risk for infection. In mild cases, your vet will make a loose diagnosis based on the examination of your kitten and his history.
He will likely receive subcutaneous fluids to counteract dehydration and be sent home with medications to alleviate his symptoms and address any suspected bacterial element to his illness. This is also an option for any sneezing kitten if you are interested in having a specific diagnosis. At home, your sneezing kitten may need some extra TLC to get him feeling his best.
Respiratory infections can impair his sense of smell and taste, resulting in poor appetite. To encourage him to eat, offer canned food that has a nice meaty smell and warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave to further increase the aroma.
Your vet may also recommend using a humidifier to soothe his nasal passages. Rhinitis inflammation of the nasal passages and sinusitis inflammation of the sinuses can occur on their own or as a result of an upper respiratory infection.
The delicate tissues in these areas can be irritated by a variety of things, including cigarette smoke, cleaning products, pollen, dust, mold, and perfume. Irritation can also be caused by a foreign body lodged in the nasal passages, such as grass seeds or hair. Symptoms are very similar to an upper respiratory infection, but almost always include nasal discharge and some sneezing, sniffling, or snorting.
Your kitten may even paw at his nose due to the irritation. Nasal discharge in mild cases is clear and runny, but the inflammation makes your kitten vulnerable to secondary bacterial or fungal infections, which can cause the discharge to become thick and to appear yellow, green, or even bloody. If your veterinarian suspects rhinitis or sinusitis or rhinosinusitis if both areas are impacted , he or she will likely take a swab to send out for testing to identify any infectious agents present.
This will allow your vet to choose the right medications to address any infection. Your kitten may also be sedated for a nasal flush to collect samples or for rhinoscopy, where a tiny camera is inserted into his nose to search for the cause of the problem. Foreign bodies can often be removed via rhinoscopy, but surgery may be necessary. Cats with chronic rhinitis may have a persistent sniffle and be predisposed to secondary infections and respiratory illnesses.
Cats sneeze for the same reason we do, because something has irritated the inside of their nose. The odd sneeze is nothing to worry about but if your cat is sneezing regularly or having severe bouts of sneezing, you need to take them to the vet. Sneezing from time to time is nothing to worry about, but you should contact your vet if your cat starts sneezing often. Consider insuring your cat as soon as you get them, before any signs of illness start.
This will ensure you have all the support you need to care for them. Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. All of our work helping the UK's pets — including this article — is funded entirely by public support. If you've found our information useful please donate today. This will ensure we can continue to help pet owners and their sick pets for many years to come. Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Pet Health Hub Search.
Sneezing in cats. Check your pet's symptoms.
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