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Cats are susceptible to many diseases like humans. And because cats are often kept indoors rather than let loose, they are more susceptible to respiratory diseases caused by smoking, dust, etc., from humans, the most visible manifestation of which is sneezing and sneezing. Your cat sneezes constantly but looks fine. Do they have an illness? How do you know if they’re just a normal sneeze or if it’s the signs of a respiratory illness?
Why Do Cats Keep Sneezing?
Sneezing is the body’s natural response to expelling irritants from the nose and mouth. Unlike humans, cats do not often sneeze due to allergies. Occasionally, they sneeze when they inhale something irritating like dust or pollen, or sometimes a few types of grass caught in conjunctivitis. It also makes them sneeze all day.
Pay attention to the time each time you catch your cat sneezing. Did you just move house? Or has their sandpit just been shoveled up after they “resolved”?
Sneezing is usually just a minor incident that is no cause for concern. While a cat that constantly sneezes can be a sign of health problems, it’s important to learn about what causes sneezing symptoms and when to take your cat to the vet.
Why Does My Cat Keep Sneezing But Seems Fine?
Sneezing can be one of the normal daily routines of cats. You don’t need to worry too much if your cat sneezes once or twice and then resumes normal activities. It could just be something in the air that irritates their sinuses. Just watch your cat for a day or two to see if they show any unusual symptoms.
If your pet is constantly sneezing or has other symptoms such as lethargy, cough, dry vomiting, thick nasal discharge, shortness of breath, wheezing or bloody sneezes, it could be a sign. of the following diseases:
Upper respiratory tract infections
The most common cause of sneezing in cats is an upper respiratory infection, comparable to the common cold in humans. They are very contagious, so they are often found in cats at shelters or with kittens with weakened immune systems. Typical pathogens that cause upper respiratory tract infections are viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Herpes viruses are the most common viruses in cats. They invade the pet’s immune system leading to symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, and discharge from the eyes. These symptoms appear within 2-5 days of your cat becoming infected with the virus, and like humans, symptoms are aggravated by stress. A few other viruses that cause sneezing in cats include Calicivirus, feline immunodeficiency virus, and influenza virus.
Viral infections can lead to symptoms of a bacterial infection, which directly include yellow or green thick nasal discharge and eye problems.
The severity of the infection depends on the type of virus and how long your cat has been infected. While some can be treated with vaccines and antibiotics, others still have no cure.
Dental disease
Many people may be surprised to learn that dental disease contributes to cat sneezing. Like many other animals, the roots of the upper teeth in cats are located right next to the nasal cavity. Food can enter the nasal cavity when they eat, creating conditions for bacteria to grow, causing a sneeze reflex. Chronic sneezing can lead to painful chronic rhinitis in your cat, so if you suspect your pet has dental disease, you should take them to the vet.
Cancer of the nasal cavity
Although extremely rare, cancerous tumors in the nasal cavity are always on the list of possible causes. Tumors that grow inside the nasal cavity create irritation and inflammation that causes cats to sneeze. These sneezes will be extremely severe and persistent, often with bloody sneezes, especially in the later stages of the illness. Nasal cavity cancers often appear in older cats, and most are discovered when the disease is advanced, and it is difficult to offer treatment options.
Vaccines
Has your cat been vaccinated? Then you can rest assured. Sneezing is a common side effect after vaccination, especially those used to treat upper respiratory tract infections or those given through the nose. This is completely normal, lasts 2 to 5 days, and may be accompanied by other respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose.
Something in the nose
It’s not uncommon for your cat to accidentally breathe in a foreign object that causes her to sneeze. Many cat toys contain hair or small fibers. When they inhale these objects, the body’s natural reflex is to sneeze to remove the foreign object. Sometimes the scent of perfume, smoke, or strongly scented products can also cause a cat’s nose to itch. In this case, the sneeze usually starts suddenly and goes away on its own after the cause of the nasal irritation disappears. Interestingly, cats sometimes sneeze when they get too excited.
How to stop cat sneezing?
If your cat’s sneezing isn’t severe, you can start to prevent sneezes by cleaning the room. Air purifiers and vacuum cleaners will remove impurities that are irritating to cats, significantly reducing their sneezing episodes.
Be careful when using cleaners. Avoid using products with strong odors. Chemical odors will make the cat’s sneezing condition worse. Choose products that have a natural gentle scent and don’t contain a lot of dangerous chemicals.
When to See the Vet?
When you see unusual symptoms in your cat, and you can’t find a cause, consult your doctor. Take them to the vet if your cat doesn’t stop having a runny nose, sneezes blood, or appears to be in pain. Most causes of sneezing in cats are easily treatable, and your cat will soon feel much better.
Make sure to check your cat’s health twice a year as well as fully vaccinate your cat, helping to prevent and detect dangerous diseases in their body early.
Conclude
If your cat sneezes but doesn’t look abnormal, you can safely observe for 1-2 days. In most cases, their sneezes are caused by environmental factors. Cleaning the house, regularly trimming the cat’s hair, and switching to low-dust litter not only helps keep the house clean but also limits your pet’s discomfort.
However, sneezing can signify some respiratory diseases accompanied by unusual manifestations. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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