Cat Sneezing A Lot-Why is My Cat Sneezing So Much?
A cat sneezing is cute but can be more than just a normal reaction to dust or other environmental irritants.
Frequent sneezing may indicate an underlying health issue requiring a trip to your vet. Thankfully, many of these causes are treatable and easy to manage at home.
Irritation
Cats sneeze to push air out of their nose and whisk away irritants. If you notice a cat sneezing frequently, it is important to investigate why they sneeze so much Cat Sneezing A Lot.
A common cause is momentarily irritating their nasal passages or sinuses. This can be something as simple as a smell, an object, or something in their environment.
However, if your cat has chronic sneezing and other accompanying symptoms, getting them to the vet is a good idea.
Your vet will first want to look at your cat’s health history. They will run some lab tests and possibly perform a physical exam to see what is causing the sneezing ( Cat Sneezing A Lot ).
Infection
If your cat sneezes a lot, it could be an infection that needs veterinary treatment. This could be a viral infection, such as herpesvirus or calicivirus (which the FVRCP combo vaccine protects against).
Viral infections can cause inflammation of your cat’s nasal passages and sinuses, which may result in excessive sneezing. Likewise, respiratory bacterial infections can cause a discharge of yellow or green fluid from your cat’s eyes and nose.
These symptoms can also be accompanied by coughing and pawing at the face. They are commonly seen with feline upper respiratory infections, including feline herpesvirus, which affects 80%-90% of cats.
Herpesvirus outbreaks in fully immunized cats tend to be mild and short-lived, but they can flare up occasionally, especially if your cat is stressed or feels vulnerable. Your vet can recommend medications to decrease herpes virus reproduction and ease your kitty’s symptoms.
Allergies ( Cat Sneezing A Lot )
Allergies are reactions by the immune system to different substances that enter the body. These substances may be inhaled, ingested, or contacted with the skin.
Allergy symptoms are usually seasonal, with outdoor irritants like pollen or year-round ones like mold and dust flaring up more frequently during certain times of the year. If your cat’s allergies are causing a sneeze, consider removing these airborne contaminants from their environment and allowing them to breathe easier to alleviate their symptoms.
Sneezing is also a common symptom of nasal and sinus issues, such as rhinitis (stuffy nose) or sinusitis (inflammation in the lining of the sinuses). If your cat is sneezing often, it’s best to check them out at the vet to see what’s causing them.
Stress
Stress is a natural response to situations that threaten our physical or emotional well-being. Known as the “fight-or-flight” response, it helps humans and other mammals prepare for an emergency or escape.
But stress can also cause chronic and recurring health problems, including sneezing. Cats, like humans, are more prone to respiratory illnesses under constant stress.
Sneezing is a natural reaction to airborne particles that irritate the nose or throat. It forces air out of the nose and into the mouth, where it’s blown away in a hissing sound.
The noise can be heard even at a distance. But if sneezing occurs often, you must take your cat to the vet for an examination.
One of the most common causes of sneezing in cats is upper respiratory infections (URIs). These can occur together or separately, usually caused by feline herpesvirus and calicivirus.