Persistent Cat Sneezing: Possible Causes and Solutions

Many pet parents mistakenly believe that a cat's sneezing is a sign of a cold, but that's not necessarily true. Just like humans, cats occasionally sneeze. If your feline friend sneezes occasionally and is otherwise active and normal, there's usually no need to worry. However, if your cat is sneezing frequently, has blood in their nasal discharge, or shows signs of excessive mucus, eye discharge, or coughing, these sneezes might be hiding more serious underlying issues.

What Causes a Cat to Sneeze?

Cats can sneeze for a variety of reasons, which can generally be categorized into three main types: environmental, infectious, and anatomical.

1. Environmental Causes

Even indoor cats can be sensitive to allergens in the air, such as pollen, dust, cleaning agents, plants, and cat litter dust. These particles can be brought inside on clothing or blown in through open windows. Cats are also sensitive to smoke, so if someone smokes indoors, it could be a cause for sneezing. Environmental sneezes are usually mild and may be accompanied by a little nasal discharge. Some cats may be allergic to air pollutants, but most don't sneeze due to allergies.

2. Infectious Causes

Another common cause of sneezing in cats is respiratory infections, most often due to viral infections. Yes, our feline companions can catch colds too!

Possible viral infections include:

Cat Herpes Virus (FHV): Cats can contract this virus by coming into contact with other infected cats. Stress can weaken their immune system, leading to outbreaks and transmission to other cats. Treatment aims to control symptoms. FHV is not contagious to humans.

Cat Calicivirus (FCV): This virus is highly contagious among cats. Oral ulcers are the most common issue, but it can also affect the respiratory system and even lead to pneumonia. Like FHV, it doesn't transmit to humans.

Other viruses or bacteria can also cause sneezing, including:

Cat Infectious Peritonitis (FIP): This disease can present with no symptoms or mild symptoms, which can worsen over time.

Cat Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Also known as Feline AIDS, it progresses slowly but severely compromises the cat's immune system, making them more susceptible to other infections.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This is a serious and often fatal infection in cats.

Bacterial infections, such as Bordetella and Mycoplasma, can also infect cats and dogs.

Less common fungal infections can also lead to nasal diseases and rhinitis.

Viruses that cause respiratory infections may be accompanied by coughing, but it's more common to see increased eye discharge and nasal discharge (white, yellow, or green mucus).

3. Anatomical Causes

Some cat breeds, like Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs, have flat faces. Their shorter noses and smaller nostrils can lead to respiratory issues. These cats may be more prone to upper respiratory diseases and sneezing due to their facial structure. If a cat frequently experiences respiratory issues due to structural problems, surgery may be an option to help enlarge the nostrils.

If you have a flatfaced cat that sneezes daily or has a persistent runny nose, it's best to consult a veterinarian.

Other Causes

Inflammation: Chronic rhinitis is a longterm inflammation of the nasal passages. It can be caused by damage to the nasal passages, such as from a herpes virus infection.

Foreign Bodies: For example, grass can enter the nasal passages and irritate the mucous membranes, causing sneezing. If the sneeze doesn't dislodge the foreign body, it could lead to an infection.

Dental Issues: Conditions like abscessed tooth roots can lead to infections that spread to the nasal passages, causing sneezing.

Tumors: Nasal tumors are more common in older cats. Nasal cancer has an average age of onset of 910 years. Besides sneezing, there may be many other symptoms, such as nosebleeds, facial asymmetry, and nasal deformities.

Nasal Vaccination: Some upper respiratory vaccines are administered nasally. It's common for cats to sneeze four to seven days after receiving a nasal vaccine, but the sneezing usually doesn't last longer than a few days.

What Should Parents Do If Their Cat Sneezes?

If your cat is sneezing, the first step is to check your home environment. By improving the environment, you can observe whether the sneezing is related to environmental factors.

For example:

Use lowdust, lowscent cat litter. Litter with high dust or strong odors can cause cats to sneeze. Avoid using strongly scented products. Some cats are sensitive to the smell of cleaning agents, disinfectants, and perfumes. Use unscented or mild products. It's best to use petspecific cleaning products. Regularly clean the house. Some cats may react to dust or pollen in the home.

Cats spend most of their time close to the ground. Thoroughly vacuuming the house and using petspecific cleaning agents for environmental cleaning is essential.

If you've taken all measures to rule out environmental factors and your cat still sneezes, the sneezing may not be related to environmental factors.

When to See a Veterinarian

If your cat sneezes and shows any of these symptoms, including increased eye discharge, red eyes, corneal ulcers, increased green or yellow nasal discharge, poor appetite, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, wheezing or coughing, poor hair quality, difficulty breathing, or diarrhea, it's important to seek veterinary care promptly.

What Tests Will the Veterinarian Perform?

Routine tests (based on the condition):

Comprehensive physical examination: This is a standard checkup for any animal coming to the hospital, allowing the veterinarian to get a basic understanding of the cat's condition.

Basic blood tests: These include a complete blood count and SAA (inflammatory response protein) to assess the body's inflammatory status.

Imaging tests: Chest Xrays are essential for diagnosing respiratory diseases.

Screening for infectious pathogens: Tests for viruses (including herpes, calicivirus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, and Bordetella) and bacteria are necessary, especially for young animals and those with compromised immune systems.

Through these basic tests, common causes can usually be diagnosed. If the cat does not respond to treatment, further testing may be required.

Screening for Potential Immunosuppressive Diseases:

Feline AIDS, Feline Leukemia

Nasal Endoscopy (requires anesthesia):

This can detect abnormalities in the nasal structure, nasal tumors, or suspected foreign bodies.

Nasal Mucus Cytology:

This is used to suspect bacterial/fungal infections.

Available Treatment Options:

Medications:

Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and nasal drops may be recommended by veterinarians, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.

If the cat does not respond to initial antibiotic treatment, a sensitivity test may be necessary to select targeted medications.

Nasal Endoscopy Treatment:

Nasal endoscopy is not only a diagnostic tool but can also be used for treatment. During the procedure, nasal polyps, tumors, upper respiratory swelling, structural abnormalities, or foreign bodies may be discovered. Foreign bodies can be removed through nasal endoscopy.

Surgical Treatment:

Polyps, tumors, dental issues, and other conditions often require surgical intervention. Congenital structural abnormalities, such as some Persian cats having small nostrils, can be improved through "cosmetic" surgery.

Prognosis:

Most cats will see their sneezing symptoms gradually resolve after treatment. However, some animals may develop chronic diseases, experiencing recurrent upper respiratory symptoms. Other conditions, such as immunosuppressive diseases, may be difficult to cure but can be managed to allow cats to live relatively healthy lives. Cats that have been infected with herpes virus or calicivirus may experience recurrences.

How to Care for a Sneezing Cat:

After your cat has seen a veterinarian, it's important to follow the treatment plan. Here are some tips to help your cat recover quickly:

Wipe your cat's eyes and nose with a damp cloth or pet wipes daily to keep them clean.

You can also use a humidifier (warm moisture) to help nasal discharge drain and relieve your cat's nasal discomfort.

Ensure your cat has access to food. Excessive nasal discharge can affect a cat's sense of smell, leading to decreased appetite.

Cats can develop fatty liver disease if they don't eat for a few days, which can be fatal. Offer heated canned food to ensure your cat receives adequate nutrition daily.

Provide plenty of clean drinking water.

Do not give your cat any medication without consulting a veterinarian, especially human medications (such as acetaminophen, which can destroy a cat's red blood cells and be lifethreatening). Many human medications are toxic to cats.

If your cat's appetite is very poor (and other measures have not improved) or if there are particularly severe or worsening symptoms, seek veterinary care promptly, and your cat may need hospitalization.

How to Prevent Sneezing:

One of the best ways to prevent upper respiratory viral infections (herpes virus, calicivirus) is to keep your cat up to date on vaccinations.

Other home measures mentioned in the text include:

Choose lowdust, lowscent cat litter.

Regularly clean the house and use petspecific cleaning agents.

Do not smoke indoors.

Do not use strongly scented perfumes.

Clean your cat's face daily.

Take your cat for regular checkups.

Remember: For more information on cat sneezing, watch "Why Does My Cat Sneeze After a Bath?"