Cat Sneezing Fits: What You Need To Know

Cat owners shouldn't worry about the occasional sneeze from their pet, but if their cat has a sneezing fit or is sneezing more than usual, it may be worth investigating. Cat sneezing fits can be caused by allergies, irritation, upper respiratory infections, or dental disease. If your cat is sneezing a lot, it's a good idea to take them to the vet, who may suspect a cause based on the cat's symptoms.

Allergies

If your cat has allergies, they will probably sneeze when exposed to the allergen, just like humans do. Allergies can also cause other symptoms in cats, such as itchy skin, excessive licking or grooming, and excessive scratching. If you suspect your cat has allergies, it is important to consult your veterinarian, who can help identify the specific allergen and provide appropriate treatment.

In some cases, allergies can be managed by reducing or eliminating exposure to the allergen. For example, if your cat sneezes after you clean the bathroom, try switching to a different cleaning product. Using a HEPA filter can also help capture small dust particles and other allergens in the air.

If your cat's allergies are severe, your veterinarian may recommend allergy medication to help manage their symptoms. For food allergies, your vet may suggest an elimination diet or a switch to a hydrolyzed protein food.

Upper respiratory infections

The most common types of URI in cats include Feline Herpesvirus Type-1 (also called feline viral rhinotracheitis, or FVR) and Feline Calicivirus. Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis are the most common bacterial causes.

Cats infected with herpesvirus become carriers of the virus for life, although they will not show signs or be contagious unless the virus is reactivated by stress. About half of the cats infected with calicivirus will carry the disease for a couple of months, and a few may carry it for life. These persistent carriers of herpesvirus and calicivirus will not show symptoms but may still infect other cats.

Signs of upper respiratory infections in cats include sneezing, red and swollen eyes, swollen eyelids, eye discharge, nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, and difficulty breathing. In most cats, uncomplicated URIs last about 7 to 21 days, although they may last longer in immunosuppressed cats or those with other health issues.

If you suspect your cat has an upper respiratory infection, it is important to take them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. The vet will likely perform a complete physical exam and gather information about your cat's medical history. Testing may include swab samples from the eye, nose, or back of the throat, as well as X-rays, blood tests, and culture testing in rare cases.

Treatment for upper respiratory infections in cats may include antibiotics for bacterial infections and antiviral or immune-stimulating medications for viral infections. Providing a warm and humid environment, gently cleaning the cat's nose and eyes with a warm, moist cloth, and offering smelly, wet food can also help alleviate symptoms. In severe cases, hospitalization and fluid therapy may be necessary.

Irritants

If your cat is sneezing only occasionally, it is likely that something is simply irritating their nose and nasal passages. If your cat is sneezing more frequently, it may be an indication of an allergy. Allergies are a very common cause of sneezing in cats, and they will often exhibit more symptoms than just sneezing. These can include a runny nose, tearing eyes, and itchy and red skin, which the cat may excessively lick or scratch, especially around their face, paws, and belly. In some cases, cats with allergies can develop scaly or scabbed skin in sensitive areas due to excessive scratching. If this occurs, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet may prescribe ointment and antibiotics to prevent or treat a skin infection.

If you believe that irritants in the environment are causing your cat discomfort, remove them from the environment. You can try using HEPA filters, which help capture small dust particles. Take note of when the sneezing occurs and work to eliminate suspected irritants from your home. For example, if your cat sneezes after you’ve cleaned your bathroom, try switching cleaning products.

Dental disease

In addition to periodontal disease, trauma to the teeth can also lead to dental issues. When a tooth is fractured or chipped, the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, can become exposed to bacteria and become infected. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissue and result in an abscess.

The signs of dental disease in cats can include visible swelling below the eye, discharge from the nose, and a change in chewing patterns. Bad breath, inflamed gums, plaque and tartar buildup, and trouble chewing are also common indicators of dental issues. If dental disease is left untreated, it can contribute to problems with other organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart.

To prevent and treat dental disease in cats, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene. This may include regular brushing of the teeth, providing treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) to reduce tartar buildup, and regular dental check-ups with a veterinarian. In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted or treated with a root canal, and antibiotics may be prescribed to combat infection.

Foreign body in the nose

A foreign body in the nose is one of the less common causes of sneezing in cats, but it can still happen. Cats can inhale a foreign object that gets stuck in their nose and blocks their airways and nasal passages. Even if the cat can breathe normally through its mouth, the object in its nose can cause distress. The cat will likely start sneezing to try to get rid of the object.

Common foreign bodies in cats' noses include blades of grass, pieces of lint, hair, and grass or plant awns. If you think your cat has something stuck in its nose, try to look into its nose to see if you can see the object. If you can see the object, take your cat to the vet right away.

If your cat is sneezing a lot and you suspect a foreign body may be the cause, there are some other signs you can look out for. These include acute paroxysmal sneezing, pawing at the nose or face, unilateral nasal discharge, snorting, gagging, and repeated attempts at swallowing. If your cat is displaying these symptoms, a prompt investigation is warranted.

Foreign bodies that are not removed will result in progressive nasal discharge, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections may develop. Radiographs usually do not show any abnormalities unless the foreign body is radiopaque. However, radiographic evidence of bony lucencies in the nasal cavity of a cat with a chronic foreign body suggests a secondary fungal infection.

Diagnosis of a nasopharyngeal foreign body is established by a rhinoscopic exam of the nasopharynx, which also allows for retrieval, or via a nasal flush. In some cases, a rhinotomy may be needed if retrieval has been unsuccessful by other means, for example, if the foreign body is a stubborn plant awn or a long-standing foreign body encased in granulation tissue.

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