Occasional sneezing is nothing serious in cats. On the other hand, if they are frequent and accompanied by other symptoms that also tend to last, it’s best to take your feline friend to the vet as soon as possible. What’s to be feared is a respiratory illness that could develop into something more serious.
What causes a cat to sneeze? Let’s take a look at the various probable causes of feline sneezing.
Temporary irritation of the mucous membranes or the presence of a foreign body
Cats may sneeze simply because a particle has come into contact with their nasal mucosa. The particle causes a small irritation, prompting the body to try to expel it by sneezing. Once the particle has been expelled, the cat stops sneezing. There’s nothing to worry about in this case. Sneezing is only temporary.
The same applies when a foreign body, such as plant debris, lodges inside the cat’s nose. Here again, the animal sneezes to try to get rid of it. Nothing to worry about here.
Malformation or trauma
Certain malformations affecting the respiratory tract are likely to cause sneezing in cats. This is particularly true of cleft palates.
Cleft palate in cats takes the form of a fissure in the animal’s palate. It creates an abnormal communication between the oral and nasal cavities.
Cleft palate in cats can be congenital. In other words, the feline is born with this malformation. However, it can also be acquired, following trauma.
There is only one form of treatment for cleft palate in cats, a possible source of sneezing. It is surgical and is generally performed on kittens from the age of 4 months.
Cat colds
Like humans, cats can also sneeze when they have a cold. The feline may have caught a cold on different occasions: from drafts, after taking a bath, etc.
As a rule, cat colds are not serious. However, its symptoms, including sneezing, should not be prolonged. If there is no improvement after ten days or so, we strongly recommend that you take your cat to the vet for a check-up. An untreated cold can seriously affect the respiratory tract, developing into pneumonia, for example.
A cat with a cold will sneeze, runny eyes and nose, fever and loss of appetite. However, it’s important to ensure that your cat gets enough food to support its natural defences. It’s also vital to keep the animal hydrated.
Regular cleaning of the nose and eyes and keeping the animal warm are other precautions to be taken until it recovers.
Coryza
Another likely cause of cat sneezing is coryza. It’s also known as cat flu.
This viral disease is highly contagious. There is no cure for coryza, but it can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine is given to kittens, followed by booster doses every year.
More worrying than the common cold, coryza is easily transmitted from cat to cat through sneezing and physical contact.
In addition to sneezing, a cat’s coryza symptoms include droopiness, fever and coughing.
