Sneezing Symptoms in Cats

A cat's sneeze may indicate a very minor condition or a very serious medical problem. Knowing a little bit about the illnesses that include sneezing as a symptom will help you to determine if your pet is OK or if she needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Irritants

Cats put their noses everywhere. Many times sneezing may indicate nothing more than that your cat has inhaled an irritant. Irritants can include dust, pollen, cleaning supplies, air fresheners, litter dust, cologne and mold.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper respiratory infection is one of the most common reasons cats sneeze. Most upper respiratory infections are similar to the common cold in people. Conjunctivitis and a low-grade fever are often accompanying symptoms. Unless your cat develops more serious symptoms, an upper respiratory infection can be treated at home with rest and good food. Wash any accompanying mucous from your cat's eyes and nose a few times a day. You can put a bit of petroleum jelly on his nose to prevent it from becoming chapped. You can also obtain an ophthalmic ointment from your veterinarian to help ease the discomfort in his eyes.

Feline Herpes

Feline herpes is very common in cats and many pet cats are vaccinated against it as kittens. However, if the cat has contracted the disease, he likely will have occasional flare-ups throughout his life. When there is a flare-up, the cat will develop symptoms similar to a human cold with frequent sneezing. The symptoms will last about three weeks and your cat will then return to normal. There can be long stretches---years--between flare-ups.

Dental Disease

Dental disease can also cause cats to sneeze. If your cat's gums and teeth are infected, the nasal passages may also be infected. If your cat is showing other signs of dental disease, such as swollen gums and tooth pain when eating, she should see a veterinarian for a dental cleaning.

Feline Leukemia

Feline leukemia is one of the more serious illnesses that might cause a cat to sneeze. The disease weakens a cat's immune system, making her more susceptible to infections and illnesses such sinus infections, asthma and other upper respiratory problems.

Other Symptoms

Determining if your cat's sneeze is just a sneeze or if it's an indication of something serious is usually a matter of considering other symptoms he may be exhibiting. If the sneezing is just occasional, it's probably nothing to worry about. However, if it becomes continuous or excessive, your cat should see a veterinarian.
If your cat's sneezing is accompanied by loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy or a bloody nose, she needs medical attention.

References

• Cat Health Behavior
• Cat Health Issues
• Pet Place, Jon Rappaport Pet Place, Jon Rappaport DVM