Cats Purr Like Sneezes: The Quirky Quiver of Feline Sni
When a cat sneezes, it's not just a simple reflex; it can be a window into the feline's age and overall health. The reasons behind a sneeze can vary significantly depending on the cat's age. For kittens and adult cats, sneezing often stems from respiratory infections or other factors, but in older cats, a sneeze might be a sign of more serious conditions, such as nasal polyps or tumors.
Common Causes of Cat Sneezing:
1. Infectious Causes
Infectious causes are typically related to respiratory infections, which can be caused by viruses like herpes, calicivirus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, and Bordetella, as well as less common fungal infections. These can lead to sinusitis and nasal inflammation.
Among infectious causes, feline herpesvirus is the most prevalent. Similar to the calicivirus and coronavirus, once a cat is infected, it carries the virus for life. While there are medications available, there is no complete cure for the virus. Pet owners can greatly reduce the risk of outbreaks by ensuring their cats are vaccinated, stressfree, dewormed, and wellhydrated.
2. NonInfectious Causes
Noninfectious causes of sneezing can be categorized into four main types: environmental irritants, allergies, foreign objects, and dental issues.
Environmental irritants include perfumes, strongly scented cleaning agents, pesticides, air fresheners, and even dust from cat litter containing silicon dioxide. These can lead to persistent sneezing. Allergies can be triggered by food, mold in the air, or rare pollen. Foreign objects can be inhaled, especially when cats are outdoors, and may include dust or grass particles that can cause sneezing. If a cat inhales a foreign object, it should be removed promptly to prevent nasal infections. Dental issues, particularly infections at the roots of a cat's teeth, can lead to bacterial buildup around the sinuses, causing rhinitis.
Tip: For more information on cat sneezing, you can watch "What Does a Cat's Sneezing Look Like?" for a closer look.
