Cats are cute when they sneeze several times in a row. They come and tickle their nose against you and get petting attention from you. It is ok if it stops in a few seconds, but if the cat goes on sneezing, then it can be a sign of something else.
There are many reasons why cats sneeze, there are also many symptoms pointing to the reason and this issue needs more elaboration so it can be helpful for both the cat and its owner.
Causes of infections as a reason for sneezing in cats
The most frequent cause of sneezing in cats is an upper respiratory tract infection. It happens in felines due to some viruses such as herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. As their owners, cats can also catch a cold and suffer from an upper respiratory infection. Cats can also have sinus infections the same as humans.
There is always a dilemma about how upset you should be because your cat is sneezing. Sneezing itself is a bodily reflex to various irritants on the upper nasal passage. Sneezing in cats helps them to clean the irritants from the nostrils blowing out air from their lungs through the nose and mouth. Almost all the members of the animal kingdom have a habit of sneezing affected by different irritants.
The answer to the question of what brings your cat to sneeze is very hazardous and similar to us, humans. The felines sneeze for almost the same reasons as we do due to an itch in the nose caused by particles in the air or sometimes their fur. It is a normal biological function in cases it is not frequent, but it is not normal when your cat sneezes several times during the day many times in a row. If the sneezing persists and develops even more symptoms a visit to the vet is highly recommended.
There are 7 common causes of why your cat is sneezing:
1. External irritation as a reason for sneezing in cats
Talking about external irritants mostly means pointing out some noxious smells and exposure to different toxins. Some household products that we do not even consider irritating can cause sneezing in cats. Those are cooking spices like pepper and cinnamon.
The cleaning products in the household can also provoke sneezing in cats. Bleach, vinegar, or some other chemicals that we use at home are taken into consideration as well. Essential oils can also cause distress with your cat and keeping in mind your cat’s strong sense of smell it is not strange at all that it will start sneezing as it comes in contact with the essential oil.
2. Foreign Material as a cause of sneezing in cats
Cats are very curious so do not be surprised if your curious cat is loading many strange materials in its nose. Lint, grass, or hair are the most common foreign objects. Pollen and other allergens can be inhaled by your cat and it is a real problem that causes sneezing in cats. Dust and some other particles cause frequent sneezing in a cat. In all of these occasions the same as with humans sneezing is the only way to take the irritant out of the nose by sneezing, but if it does not help what you must do is visit a vet as soon as possible.3. Upper Respiratory Infections as a reason for sneezing in cats
If your cat is sneezing more than usual then it may be a symptom of an upper respiratory infection RRI. The most spread infection of this kind in cats is the Feline Herpesvirus FHV and it is estimated that 80-90% of cats are infected with this virus. It frequently happens with kittens and become chronic carriers of the virus. In a situation when the cats are stressed or immunosuppressed the dormant virus is re-emerging and the cat starts to sneeze.
Another virus infection that contributes to sneezing in cats is the Calicivirus and it can be prevented by the FVRCP combo vaccine that can be given to a cat as a prevention. In general, the common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are repeated sneezing, an occurrence of irregular discharge which may become yellow, green, or bloody, recurrent coughing or swallowing, lethargy, dehydration or appetite loss, diarrhea, and enlarged lymph nodes.
4. Dental disease as a cause for sneezing in cats
Many cat owners are surprised that a dental issue can cause sneezing in cats. But the root canals of the teeth in the upper jaw are located next to the nasal passages and when a tooth becomes infected the bacteria is free to travel to the other parts of the body. This condition is very complicated and painful so a visit to a vet is an immediate solution.
5. Bacterial solutions as a cause for sneezing in cats
If you notice a yellow or green discharge from your cat’s nose or eyes accompanied with sneezing that is a sure sign for a bacterial infection. This kind of bacteria rarely acts alone and is usually accompanied by an upper respiratory infection. In this situation, you must ask your vet for help.
6. Neoplasia
Neoplasia (tumors) is also on the list of reasons why your cat sneezes. Some cells can grow inside your cat’s nasal passage and irritate the cat. Diagnostics is done by a suggestion from your vet usually by nasal biopsy or rhinoscopy.
