17 Common Causes Of Cat Sneezing

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Sneezing occasionally is normal to relieve the irritation, but frequent breathing is an act that calls for further evaluation. The most common of all is the upper respiratory infection, similar to the common cold among humans.

Such infections are usually bacterial, causing inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages and eventually coughing. Another general cause of sneezing involves inhalation of irritants such as pollen, smoke, and dust.

Some of them are described below.


1. Dust

If one's indoor cat sneezes nonstop, it is because of dust particles. These minute dust particles can easily become airborne, thus allowing the ability to irritate a cat's nasal passages. House dust may collect on furniture, carpets, and drapes, among many other places.

Vacuuming and cleaning such areas will minimize the amount of dust inside your house. An air purifier will take the dust particles out of the air and give your cat a cleaner environment to inhale.

However, minimizing the amount of exposure can reduce the sneezing. Regular dusting and cleaning where your cat hangs around will stop the sneezing.

2. Mold

Cats that inhaled mold spores showed persistent sneezing, just as they do when dust irritates their nasal passages. Since it thrives well in this kind of environment, the mold may easily dwell in places such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.

Once these spores are inhaled, they act to irritate your cat's sensitive lining in the nose and create irritation and sneezing. Proper measures should be taken to give good air everywhere in the home to prevent mold formation and ensure your feline friend has good respiration.

Moisture problems, like pipe leaks and collecting condensation, should be addressed with their immediate repair. Places prone to mold growth, like areas behind sinks and appliances, should be cleaned often.

The most sensitive and effective dehumidifiers reduce mold spores in humid settings by as much as a thousand times.

3. Perfumes

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Cats are far more sensitive to smell than humans, and a smell that may be pleasant to us could be overpowering and irritating to their sensitive nasal passages. Pungent odors-like those wafting from scented candles, air fresheners, and perfumes-can cause cats to sneeze.

This is due to the extreme level of odor molecules saturating the olfactory receptors in their nose. These receptors then communicate with the brain to cause a sneeze, the body's natural defense mechanism, or the means to get rid of the irritant and start breathing normally again.

For this, it is necessary to give your kitty an odor-sensitive environment. This will help your cat avoid this discomfort. Products that have a strong smell shouldn't be used in places where she stays for a long time.

4. Cat Litter Dust

Being of their nature, cats dig and move around the litter box meticulously to propel particles of tiny dust into the air. At this time, irritants rise easily to penetrate their sensitive nasal passageways, causing a sneezing reflex.

This is just your cat's natural defense mechanism to readjust for clear breathing. Use low-dust or dust-free litter options where possible. Regular cleaning of litter boxes and sweeping also minimizes dust build-up.

If it irritates them physically, try using a covered litter box. cover the dust cloud raised while digging-then try out the covered litter boxes.

Lastly, place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to have your poor kitty buddy breathe in a healthier space that encourages airflow and scatters dust particles.

5. Air Fresheners

Smell-wise, we are outclassed by our cats, while perhaps a pleasant freshener greets our nostrils, an overpowering, aggravating attack is what meets the sensitive noses of our cats.

Many air fresheners, including sprays and plug-ins, and even scented candles, can easily cause cats to sneeze with their chemicals.

It's just your cat's way of sneezing, making the pathways open again so that your cat can breathe once more. Just as people wipe away after a sneeze to clear runny noses and avoid discomfort.

Sneezing now and then is nothing to worry about, but sneezing persistently or sneezing along with other symptoms of discharge from the nose or eyes can show a more profound reaction.

6. Seasonal Allergies

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Like people, cats can also have seasonal allergies, which can cause them to sneeze and sometimes show other signs of respiratory distress. Grass, trees, and weed pollen become airborne and are inhaled by your cat, thus producing the allergy.

In response to this, your cat's immune system sneezes, develops a nasal discharge, and sometimes even watery or itchy eyes. Your cat needs to be checked and at what times of the year such symptoms first start to arise.

You can minimize the allergen if you always keep your windows closed, have air purifiers inside your house, and clean your home regularly. You can also treat your cat with antihistamines, among others, especially if the allergic reaction is severe.

7. Cold Weather

Cat sneezing can be worse in cold weather because this dries up their nasal passages and respiratory tracts. In a cold air environment, the lining of the nose develops an irritant response resulting in sneezing.

To worsen the case, interior heating during winter can dehumidify the air even more. It is urgently necessary that your cat has a warm but humid environment that should help them in these matters.

Running a humidifier to keep the ambiance space at the best level of dryness prevents the nasal passages from being completely dried out. Keeping your cat indoors during extreme cold spells also provides excellent advantages in safeguarding them from sudden temperature changes.

8. Foreign Objects in the Nose

The grass, dust, and other minute particles that are placed accidentally inside a cat's nose are very irritating to it and may precipitate sneezing in an attempt by the body to evacuate the foreign substances. The condition is often presented with sudden and persistent sneezing that may be followed by nasal discharge or facial pawing.

If you think that something has become lodged in your cat's nose, then you need to check them closely. While at times, sneezing will force those foreign objects out spontaneously,

If the symptoms persist or the animal is in distress, then a veterinary visit is necessary. In this instance, the veterinarian safely removes the object, and checks for damage and any possible infection resulting from the object.

9. New Carpets or Furniture

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Your cat may sneeze because new furniture or rugs release dust, fiber, or fumes that might have simply irritated your cat's respiratory system. Carpets and furniture contain volatile organic compounds, among other materials, capable of irritating your cat's extremely sensitive respiratory system.

New carpet installation may also increase dust and other particles in the air. Reduce such effects by allowing some ventilation by opening the window and using fans for air circulation of the possibly irritating particles in the air.

New carpets and newly bought furniture must also be well-vacuumed to reduce dust and loss of fiber. If sneezing persists, the help of a veterinarian should be sought to rule out any allergic reaction or upper respiratory problem.

10. Viral Infections

Sneezing in young cats is mainly due to viruses, which are one of the most common causes of respiratory infections in cats. The two major viruses usually associated with this condition are feline FCV and feline FHV. Cats in homes or places with many cats have a better chance of buying those diseases since they can be virus carriers.

This parasite causes fever, runny nose, watery eyes, and vomiting in addition to sneezing. Early detection through your veterinarian can set up the proper treatment.

Because drugs are generally ineffective against the virus, adjuvant therapy is usually an indication for treatment. Vaccinating your cat against this virus greatly reduces the risk of infection.

11. Mites

Once inside, the parasites inflame cats' nasal passages and induce an expulsion reflex, and though usually confined to the ear canal, ear mites can migrate and produce respiratory difficulties.

Frequent bouts of sneezing, shaking of the head, scratching of the face, and nasal discharge manifest the mites as the causative agent of the disease. The veterinary diagnosis may be done by physical examination and a microscopic study.

The anti-parasitic medication given by a veterinarian destroys the mites. Cats who use the general prevention methods of cleanliness in their surroundings and regular visits to a veterinarian have little chance of buying mites.

 

12. Hairballs

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One byproduct of feline grooming behavior is hairballs, especially in long-haired cats. During grooming, cats carry loose hair into their intestines. Sometimes these hair follicles irritate the dog’s nasal or throat passages and cause coughing. The dog may sneeze, choke, or bark while trying to remove the hair.

Grooming will help remove loose hair and reduce the amount. In more severe cases, you may need to visit the veterinarian to help your cat safely pass the hairball.

13. Dental Problems

Feline dental disease can be one of the most common but often unknown causes of excess gum in cats. Gum disease, periodontitis, and gingivitis can cause inflammation and infection that directly affect the nasal passages.

Other symptoms that can occur in cats, however, are not usually associated with diarrhea and include bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, and a numb jaw. The best way to prevent arthritis is to support regular veterinary examinations and proper oral hygiene.

14. Injury To The Nose

The cat incessantly sneezes to show irritation of the nasal passages. This most often occurs in conjunction with trauma or in battles with other animals when the sensitive region of the nose has been bruised aside from rough handling and accidental injury.

This action causes inflammation and irritation of the nasal tissues and summons a natural bodily response of sneezing to rid the body of what is detected as an irritant. Symptoms may include sneezing, nasal discharge, edema, or even overt sores of the nose.

It calls for keen observation in noticing your cat showing signs of pain and distress. If the injury is critical or doesn't heal fast, then it's an issue that needs to be taken to a veterinarian.

15. Reaction to Medication

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The aftermath of several medications possibly irritates the passages of the nose or even causes allergic reactions. That is so for meds taken or applied near the nose: symptoms might include an increased tendency to sneeze, nasal discharge, or other forms of discomfort.

If a cat begins sneezing after a new medication is administered, then it is needed to contact a veterinarian already. A veterinarian will be able to adjust the dosage of the medicine, give another kind as an alternative, or add care to relieve the symptoms.

16. Smoke

Smoke from cooking, cigars, fireplaces, or cigarettes carries a host of irritating substances and dangerous particles that could be harmful to your cat's sensitive respiratory system. The irritation caused by smoke in the nasal passage may cause sneezing, as the human system tends to cut such foreign particles from it.

In the long run, exposure to smoking causes serious respiratory ailments such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. It is necessary to keep them away from smoke-filled spaces, and places where there will be exposure to smoke should be well-ventilated.

If the cat has been exposed to smoke and is sneezing often, bringing it to the veterinarian to check whether any respiratory damage might have occurred and to give proper therapy will be highly recommended.

17. Environmental Changes

Cats are sensitive animals, and even slight changes in the environment can cause health troubles. All these conditions or humidity or air quality changes can irritate a cat's nasal mucosa and induce sneezing.

This can be as simple as exposing the cat to new allergens or irritants, which can irritate a cat's nasal mucosa, and induce through the addition of new furniture and carpets. Even the introduction of new plants, or simply the use of air fresheners or cleaning products, can cause sneezing if a cat is sensitive to these things.

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