Why Does My Cat Keep Sneezing?

Just like humans, cats will need to sneeze sometimes and in a very similar way, there isn’t always a very clear reason for it. We are often surprised by a sneeze every now and then but something as small as a few dust particles in the air might be the trigger.

Cats are no different and the odd sneeze here is there because their nostrils or nasal cavity become irritated, which is perfectly normal. It’s only when it’s persistent that you may have a cause to get involved and try to establish why.

While sneezing is a perfectly normal biological response to things like dust, hair and smoke in the environment, there are quite a few different causes that could be making your feline friend sneeze.

If you notice that it’s more than just an individual sneeze and then they’re over it, there could be a couple of different reasons.

A nose tickle usually only causes a single sneeze, but it could also be the cause of a sneezing fit. Sometimes one sneeze won’t clear whatever is irritating them, so they must do several just to remove whatever might be giving them a tickly nose.

If you notice that there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for their sneezing fit, you may want to check to make sure there isn’t coming easily visible causing it. Cats can often get their own fur stuck up their nostrils when they have a particularly in-depth grooming session. If their sneezes don’t dislodge the fur but you can see it, you can help them out by gently removing it from their nostril to solve the issues.

If they’ve just come in from playing outside and are known to have a nibble at the grass, you may want to check for stray pieces of grass of grass seeds that might have gotten themselves stuck to help remove those too. Once removed, their sneezing should stop.

Cats can suffer from allergies just as much as their owners do sometimes. If you notice that they seem to be sneezing a lot, especially during the summer months, they may have some allergies that are triggered by seasonal changes.

Pollen allergies can be quite common in cats and they will vary when it comes to severity, but sneezing is a common symptom. If they are sneezing when they’ve been outside or if you have a window open to let some air into the house it could be a sign of this. There are usually a few other symptoms that go hand in hand with sneezing, so if they are presenting any of the following, it could very well be an allergy that’s giving them the sneezes:

If you’re not during a seasonal change that will trigger a pollen allergy or making home renovations that may set off a dust allergy and your kitty keeps sneezing, you may be looking at a virus or infection. When cats suffer from viruses in the upper respiratory tract, they may need to visit their vet to help shift it and get them feeling better again.

As cats get older their immune systems tend to get a little weaker so viruses and infections will be more common. Infections and viruses can affect their chest, throat, or even their sinuses. If a cat has an infection in their mouth or a broken tooth that has become infected, this can easily cause a swelling and put pressure on the sinuses which can lead to sneezing.

If you suspect that your feline friend has a virus of some kind, keep an eye out for other symptoms closely related to distinguish what might be wrong with them. Along with repeated sneezing episodes, other symptoms of a virus include:

It’s perfectly normal for your cat to have a few sneezes here or there, you only need to start to worry if these episodes are prolonged and continue over a period of a few days. If they’re unwell you will usually see sneezing alongside other symptoms so keep them rested, keep a close eye, and give their vet a call if you’re unsure.

If you notice any discharge, weight loss, lethargy, or substantial changes in behaviour, you may want to get a full health check to make sure there are no underlying issues.

There are lots of different ways to treat sneezing in cats depending on the reason they’re sneezing in the first place. If they have a dust allergy, cleaning the house and all the areas they sleep in can reduce symptoms. If it’s a seasonal pollen allergy, they may need to start taking antihistamines to conquer their reaction to the pollen.

Infections can be cleared up with antibiotics and some vets will even recommend air purifiers to help keep their surroundings free from irritants that could make it worse.

For everything you need to keep your kitty comfortable and all your other cat and kitten essentials, look at our wide range of products online and in-store.