Is Your Cat Sneezing? Here Are a Few Potential Causes

A cat sneezing here and there is no big deal. It’s cute, even! But if Mittens is constantly sneezing and has watery eyes and a runny nose, it may be cause for concern. Excitement, seasonal allergies, and upper respiratory infections can all be behind those seemingly adorable kitty sneezes. Keep reading to find out what has your kitten’s nose all over the place.

Just like humans sneeze sometimes, so do cats. If your furry friend isn’t sneezing all the time, you probably have nothing to worry about. A speck of dust or another small foreign body are all it takes to trigger a nasal irritation.

However, excessive cat sneezing is most likely a sign of health problems. Anything from a minor allergy to a life-threatening infection could be to blame. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out and to know the symptoms of the most serious illnesses.

A kitten sneeze can be caused by a lot of things. Generally speaking, nasal discharge means that there’s something wonky with your cat’s respiratory system. Maybe they smelled a grain of pepper, which caused irritation to their nose. Or maybe they have a disease that’s making it hard for them to breathe.

All in all, a cat sneezing is pretty common. What’s not so common is excessive sneezing. If your cat sneezes more than you feel like they should, it’s time to think of what could be making them sick.

You can spot a cat sneezing illness almost from a mile away. Our furry friends just don’t act like they usually do when they’re under the weather.

Many things could be to blame for the constant sneezing. Feline upper respiratory infections, for example, rhinotracheitis, are common culprits.

Allergens are much more common than infectious diseases in cats. If Mittens is around something they’re allergic to, expect sneezing galore shortly after.

People who have allergies know just how miserable allergy season is. Blades of grass, pollen, and certain fungal spores are famously responsible for making cats (and humans) sneeze. See, we’re not that different!

Some things that don’t bother us humans can irritate your kitten’s nose. For instance, smoke from a candle and air fresheners can wreak havoc on your cat’s sensitive nose. If you notice this happening in your home, it’s best to keep those irritants away from Mittens.

Many cat owners have also realized that after they clean the house, their pets start sneezing more. It’s no coincidence! Some ingredients in household cleaning products irritate feline noses. That’s why many products will say “keep away from pets.”

Cat sneezing can also be explained by a cold diagnosis. After all, it’s not just humans who get them during the winter.

The most common and easy-to-spot symptoms include:

You need to pay special attention to kittens who have a cold. Because they’re young, their immune system isn’t as tough as that of an adult cat. Thus, they’ll have a harder time fighting whatever infection is making them sick. On top of that, because they aren’t eating as much as before, they could lose too much weight, which can be dangerous.

The worst-case scenario would be for your kitten to have an upper respiratory infection. It is usually caused by bacteria, a virus, or a fungus. Some are deadly and others are treatable. It’s all a matter of taking action quickly.

Did you know a dental problem can lead to cat sneezing? It sounds impossible, but it really happens! When a tooth rots and falls away, it leaves room for bacteria to make their way into the nasal sinus. Then, an infection develops, which makes Mittens sneeze.

If you suspect a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, it’s time to start fighting it. To start treatment, you need to know what infection it is. Sadly, there are dozens of possible guilty parties:

The good news is that many of these illnesses are preventable. There are vaccines out there that protect young kittens from ever getting these nasty infections.

Every cat parent knows there’s no better person to see their kitten back to health than a veterinarian. If your four-legged friend is sneezing blood or going through severe weight loss, it’s time to take them to the vet clinic. They may need urgent care and specialized treatment.

Watch out for these symptoms that something is very, very wrong with your furry companion:

To end on a less sad note, we have to point out that a cat sneezing isn’t necessarily a sign of illness. Sometimes, your cat’s nose just gets ticklish! For example, they may have gotten some straight hairs up there. Or maybe they smelled a strong odor they shouldn’t have. As the saying goes, curiosity made the cat sneeze (wait, is that right?).

If you’ve never seen your kitten sneeze, pay closer attention. You won’t want to miss it. It’s simply adorable! Nothing gets us smiling like watching cat sneezing compilations on YouTube. That is when we know nothing’s wrong with Mittens!