How to Treat a Sneezing Cat

Cat sneezing comes in two varieties, the infectious type and the non-infectious type. Infectious sneezes are caused by bacteria and viruses invading your cat's body and causing illness. Non-infectious sneezing is caused by allergies, inhaled household products, genetic predisposition to nasal problems, foreign objects in the nose and abscessed teeth. Treatment of feline sneezing depends on the type and cause of the sneezing.

Things You'll Need

• Medication (prescribed by veterinarian)
• Baby wipes

Instructions

1. Observe your cat's symptoms. Make a note of any symptoms you observe to provide your veterinarian with information that can help make a diagnosis. Look for nasal or eye discharge (make a note of how much and the color), fever, appetite loss, facial sores or swelling, or head shaking and facial rubbing.

2. Visit your veterinarian. Your veterinarian needs to perform a thorough physical examination and take your cat's medical history. Other tests may include analysis of nasal discharge, biopsies, rhinoscopy (nasal exam), X-rays and blood tests.

3. Treat underlying conditions. Depending on what causes the sneezing, your cat may need dental treatment, foreign object removal, surgery or allergy treatment to completely cure the sneezing.

4. Administer any medication your veterinarian prescribes as directed. Courses of medications may be short-term or may need to be administered for the rest of your cat's life. Medications may relieve pain, kill bacteria or fungus, or treat allergies.

5. Provide adequate nutrition. Nutrition is key in keeping the immune system strong and aiding in fighting off disease. Feed a high-quality diet. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water and offer the occasional dish of chicken broth to keep your cat hydrated during recovery.

6. Clean your cat's face. Sneezing often produces discharge from your cat's nose or eyes. Gently wipe the discharge away (remember--your cat's nose may become sensitive from all the wiping) using a baby wipe. Discard all of the wipes after using to prevent the spread of infection.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider quarantining your cat from other pets until the problem has been diagnosed and treated to prevent the spread of infection to your other pets.

References

• 2ndChance.info: Upper Respiratory Tract Problems In Dogs And Cats
• Pawprints and Purrs: Upper Respiratory Infections (URI)
• Cat World: Cat Sneezing--Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment of Sneezing in Cats
• "Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat Not a Sour Puss"; Pamela Johnson-Bennett; 2000