How to Help a Sneezing Cat

Determine the cause of your cat's sneeze.

Although it may seem strange, cats occasionally sneeze, often because of chronic health problems, viruses or environmental irritants. When humans sneeze, relief is only a tissue away, but with cats the remedy is not so simple. The first step to helping a sneezing cat is to determine the cause of the sneezing. Does it coincide with specific events, such as right after you vacuum, or after your cat steps out of its litter box shrouded in a cloud of dust? Pet owners can help their furry friends feel better, just as soon as they figure out what's wrong.

Things You'll Need

• Veterinary assistance
• Antibiotics
• Clumping kitty litter
• Cleaning supplies

Instructions

1. Observe the frequency and intensity of your cat's sneezes, as well as any other symptoms accompanying the sneezes, such as runny eyes, mucus discharge or swelling of the eyes of glands. If your cat sneezes infrequently, there is probably something minor irritating his nasal passages. If your cat sneezes often, or if his sneezing occurs with other symptoms, take your cat to a veterinarian to check for something more serious.

2. Follow treatment protocols if the veterinarian determines the sneezing is a symptom of an underlying illness or health condition. Feline sneezing can be a symptom of feline leukemia virus, feline herpes, an upper respiratory infection or dental disease. Feline leukemia and herpes are incurable, but the symptoms are managed with antibiotics. Upper respiratory infection in cats is treatable with antibiotics. Feline dental disease can be treated with a trip to a veterinary dentist.

3. Investigate possible causes in your home if feline diseases are ruled out as a cause of your cat's sneezes. Cats can be just as sensitive to environmental allergens as humans.

4. Clean your house from top to bottom. Eliminate as much dust and mold as possible. If you cannot remove mold from a particular area, find a way to keep your cat away from the mold source.

5. Observe whether or not your cat's sneezing coincides with the spraying or application of certain household cleaners, perfumes, colognes, deodorants or other spray products that could irritate your cat's sensitive nasal passages. If airborne irritants cause the cat to sneeze, either stop using the product within the vicinity of the cat, or cease using the product altogether.

6. Observe whether your cat sneezes after relieving himself, as occasionally cat sneezes are the result of an allergy to the type of litter used in their litter box. If this is the case, switch to a brand of kitty litter that clumps heavily and doesn't release fine particles of dust.

References

• Cat Health Issues: Cat Sneezing
• Best Cat Art: Common Causes of Cat Sneezing
• Cat Health Behavior: Why Cats Sneeze