A sneezing cat can be alarming. While cats tend to sneeze occasionally, constant sneezing can be a sign of illness.
Sneezing is a physiological response to irritation in the nasal cavity. This irritation can be caused by several things—some of which are more serious than others. Being able to recognize whether your cat should be evaluated by your veterinarian can help you keep your furry friend healthy and happy.
What Causes Sneezing in Cats?
Sneezing can be caused by a variety of things in the feline world. The causes can be broken down into three main categories: environmental, infectious and anatomical. If you have a sneezing cat or a sneezing kitten, a history of what they’ve been exposed to can help narrow down the culprit.
Environmental Causes Even when kept exclusively indoors, cats are sensitive to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust and other plant materials. These particles can be carried in the house by clothing, or can easily blow through open windows. Cats are also extremely sensitive to smoke, so woodburning stoves and indoor smoke exposure can be another cause of sneezing.
Cat sneezing due to environmental causes is typically mild, causing occasional sneezing with clear nasal discharge. In some cases, cats can have extreme allergies to air pollutants, but the majority of cats do not need to be seen for occasional sneezing due to allergies.
Infectious Causes Cats can contract feline colds, usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Infectious causes stimulate the respiratory system to become irritated, while also causing the respiratory system to clear the infection with the help of white blood cells from the immune system. While white blood cells are wonderful in helping clear infections, we see the white blood cells manifest as mucous.
Cats with viruses or bacteria causing their sneezing will often have runny noses, and sneezes produce a significant spray of white, yellow or green mucus. These upper respiratory infections can be very common in younger cats. Cats with these types of sneezes do need to be seen by a veterinarian, as many cats need medications to help combat the infection and feel better.
Anatomical Causes Cat breeds such as Persians, British Shorthairs and Himalayans have flatter faces. This results in smaller nasal passages and narrowed nostrils, which can cause respiratory issues. These cats can be more prone to upper airway disease, and may sneeze more often due to their anatomy. In certain cases, surgery can help widen the nostrils, but this is only necessary if frequent respiratory disease affects the cat. If you have a cat with a flatter face, consult your veterinarian if the sneezing is every day, or if you notice any nasal discharge.
An occasional sneeze is nothing to stress about, but if your cat is sneezing frequently or has snotty nasal discharge, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Just make sure you pack the tissues!