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There are few things cuter than a tiny little cat sneeze. Though a single, well-placed sneeze may bring a smile to your face, repeated cat sneezing can really be a problem. Cat sneezing may be brought on by a variety of issues, some more serious than others. So, if you’ve noticed an uptick in ah-choos around your home, you probably want to know what can cause cat sneezing and what you can do about it.
Understanding Cat Sneezing
Though it’s often looked at as a symptom of something more concerning, sneezing in cats is actually a normal reaction. It’s the body’s way of trying to clear irritants from the upper airways. Airway irritants can include things as minor as a bit of dust to issues as serious as an infection or tumor.
It’s perfectly normal for your cat to sneeze from time to time, as they use their nose to explore their world, they may inhale minor irritants that the body doesn’t want in there. As for the more concerning side of it, what you don’t want to hear is repeated sneezing, especially if it comes with other signs of congestion, lethargy, noisy or difficulty breathing, or not eating may signal a bigger problem.
As you can imagine, cat sneezing can be a difficult problem to diagnose as it’s not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of something else. So, your best bet is to stay on top of your kitty’s health and seek veterinary attention if you notice excessive sneezing in your feline friend.
Major Causes of Cat Sneezing
Uneventful causes of sneezing would be an ah-choo following your massive cleaning spree where your kitty may have breathed in a little dust or pet-safe cleaning solution. Causes of sneezing that you really want to look out for include the following: Upper Respiratory Infections The upper respiratory system includes the nose, nasal passages, sinuses, throat, and windpipe. As you can imagine, anything bugging those areas is going to trigger some cat sneezing. Blowing things out the nose is the quickest and most efficient way to get rid of irritating substances in those areas. Cats are prone to getting infections in the upper respiratory tract. Most commonly these are caused by viruses, but they can also be brought on by bacteria or even fungi. The inflammation and subsequent congestion can cause sneezing as well as other signs such as:
Nasal discharge that may be thin and clear or thick and colored
Discharge from the eyes which may also be watery or colored
Noisy breathing
Lethargy
Decreased appetite
Fever
Difficulty breathing
Pawing at face
Bad breath or difficulty eating (Did you know? Upper respiratory infections can stem from a bad tooth!)
Cats often get upper respiratory infections from coming in contact with other sick kitties, or in the case of fungi, from the environment. Most infections will clear with time, supportive care, and/or medications.
Environmental Irritants
I mentioned that a little bit of dust can cause infrequent sneezing, while an overload of dust and other environmental irritants can bring on sneezing fits or something more serious. Along with dust, watch out for cleaning products, especially ones that are scented (this includes cat litter), as they can be very irritating for a cat’s respiratory tract. Smoke and other chemicals in the air may also be behind your cat’s sneezing.
Depending on how irritating these substances are, you may also see some nasal discharge, red and watery eyes, coughing, and lethargy. Cats generally feel better once they are removed from the irritating situation.
Long-haired cats may be especially prone, not because their long hair is irritating, but because it may trap and hold onto irritants from their environment. Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Norwegian Forest cats are a few long haired breeds that will benefit from frequent grooming to remove these irritants.
Foreign Objects
It's not just your business; a cat's nose finds its way into all sorts of things. They use their sense of smell to investigate and learn, which can put them at risk of inhaling foreign objects.
Grass seeds, bits of food, even sewing needles can find their way through a cat’s tiny nostrils and into the upper airways. Cat sneezing will be triggered to try to clear the object. There may also be some bloody discharge and pawing or rubbing at their face.
Tumors and Polyps
In some cases, frequent or chronic cat sneezing can be a sign of an abnormal growth, such as a nasal tumor or polyp. These growths can obstruct your cat’s airways, leading to chronic sneezing, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing.
Nasal Polyps: These are benign (non-cancerous) growths that can occur in the nasal passages or the back of the throat. They are more common in younger cats. While they are not life-threatening, they can be a significant source of discomfort and breathing problems for your cat.
Nasal Tumors: These are much less common, but are typically malignant (cancerous). Nasal tumors are more often seen in older cats and can be very aggressive. Signs to watch for include chronic sneezing, bloody nasal discharge, and sometimes facial swelling
Allergies
We’re not talking about the itchy eyes and sneezing that your cat’s dander causes you here, we’re actually talking about how allergens can affect your cat’s systems. Allergies to things like pollen, molds, plants or chemicals can cause cat sneezing as well as nasal congestion and discharge from the nose and eyes.
Allergies get better if you can remove the allergen from your cat’s environment. Otherwise, cats may need medications to control symptoms.
Facial Anatomy
As a side note, our short-nosed kitties may experience more sneezing due to their facial anatomy. Persians, Himalayans, and exotic shorthairs may sneeze more regularly as well as be subject to other breathing issues.
Age-Specific Sneezing in Cats
As you can see, cat sneezing can come from a varied background of reasons. So, let’s look at common reasons based on a cat’s age.
Kitten Sneezing
Kittens are all about development. Their bodies are growing, and their systems are maturing. This includes the immune system, so infections are a definite possible cause of cat sneezing in kittens. Also, kittens are overly curious, which could put them more at risk of sniffing up a foreign object, and they may be more likely to develop nasal polyps.
Adult Cat Sneezing
With any luck, your adult kitty is up to date on vaccinations, which help to decrease the likelihood of a lot of upper respiratory infections. But that doesn’t mean they’re completely safe, especially if their dental health is declining.
Adult cats may also start to see sneezing from tumors, allergens, and other irritants.
Senior Cat Sneezing
With age often comes more health issues, including cat sneezing. Dental health can really be a problem, so be sure to brush frequently and schedule professional cleanings. Senior cats may also experience more tumors and allergy problems.
When to Seek Emergency Care
The occasional cat sneeze isn’t likely to need any treatment, but frequent sneezing, especially when accompanied by other signs, should be seen by a vet. You’ll definitely want to seek care immediately if your cat is having trouble breathing or is bleeding uncontrollably from the nose.
Treatment Options for Cat Sneezing
Most minor causes of sneezing will clear on their own once the irritant gets removed from the airways. However, more serious causes may require medications to treat inflammation, infections, or allergies, and surgery may be necessary to remove a foreign object or tumor. Supportive care, in the way of oxygen, fluids, or even hospitalization may also be needed.
Sounds a little scary and expensive, right? From diagnostics like X-rays and CT scans to surgical interventions for foreign objects or tumors, the costs of treating serious respiratory issues can add up quickly. A single, serious upper respiratory infection can cost anywhere from $200 to over $1,000 if hospitalization is required. For more complex issues like a foreign object requiring surgery, bills can easily reach $1,500 or more. And if you’re faced with a serious diagnosis like a tumor, a treatment plan involving surgery or radiation therapy could run into the thousands of dollars, often between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the specific treatment and location.
Fortunately, you’re not in this alone financially. Insurance for cats can help you out by covering a portion of the expenses associated with an injury or illness that causes cat sneezing. Having a good insurance policy removes financial concerns, so you can always afford to get your cat to the vet without hesitation.
Prevention of Cat Sneezing
You aren’t going to be able to keep every irritating thing out of your cat’s nose, but you can do your best to try. Decreasing cat sneezing starts with environmental management. Don’t use any scented or irritating cleaners around your cat (yes, that includes that lovely lavender scented room spray you just bought!).
If you must use a certain cleaner that may cause problems, keep your cat out of the area until the smell has dissipated. Avoid using essential oils and smoking around your kitty and keep them indoors to avoid outside irritants.
Preventative healthcare for cats is another important ingredient in reducing cat sneezing. This means vaccinations to prevent infections and regular veterinary appointments to check dental and overall health. This is also important to catch issues while they’re small to avoid expensive and time-consuming treatments. If you have a smooshed-face cat, such as a Persian, be sure to monitor their breathing and seek regular veterinary care for any irregularities.
Feeding your kitty a high-quality diet and giving them plenty of exercise will help ensure they are as healthy as possible. Regular grooming is also important to help remove debris and irritants from the hair, especially in our long-haired breeds.
Why Is My Cat Sneezing So Much?
Most of the time, the one-off cat sneeze will do little more than slightly warm your heart, but regular sneezing with other signs is something you’ll want to get to the bottom of. This will likely involve your veterinarian, so having a pet health insurance policy will likely come in handy to cover costs. To ensure your cat stays as healthy as possible, check in with them regularly, see your veterinarian at least yearly, and provide a high-quality diet in a clean environment.
With a little knowledge and a lot of love, you can ensure your furry friend's little "achoo!" remains a source of smiles, not stress.