My Cat is Sneezing: Why Does It Sneeze, How to Stop It? Precautions to Take

Without exception, all cats look quite funny when they sneeze. Sneezing is quite normal in cats, just like in humans and other living things. In fact, there is no problem if cats sneeze a few times a day, but if the cat starts sneezing more than usual, it would be beneficial to monitor it closely. Like humans, cats also sneeze, resulting in the rapid expulsion of a large amount of air from the mouth and nose. Sneezing is usually caused by irritants in the nasal passages. However, cats also sneeze when they are overly excited or move around a lot. There are many reasons that can cause sneezing in cats. Even a speck of dust entering the nose can cause sneezing. The important thing here is to pay attention to the situations that can cause the cat to sneeze constantly. Upper respiratory tract infections, exposure to toxins, dust allergy, pollen allergy, other types of allergies, foreign objects in the nose, structural abnormalities, and various cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma or lymphoma can cause sneezing in cats. Some fungal infections and dental diseases can also cause sneezing from time to time. The severity of sneezing in cats varies depending on the underlying cause. Sneezing caused by dust mites is not very significant, but sneezing caused by cancer can seriously endanger a cat's health. Other Symptoms to Watch Out For Along with Sneezing If there is an underlying problem causing sneezing in cats, it can also cause other symptoms. These symptoms make it easier to understand the real source of the sneezing. A wheezing sound while breathing along with sneezing indicates a problem in the lower respiratory tract. Coughing that occurs with sneezing is the result of an upper respiratory tract or throat problem. Nasal discharge, blood from the nose, or dark-colored mucus may be a sign of an injury or infection. If you encounter such a situation, it is recommended that you first take a picture and then clean the cat's nose to show to the veterinarian. In this way, you can help the veterinarian make a more accurate and quicker diagnosis. Chronic nosebleeds that occur with sneezing are a sign of cancer. This condition is more common, especially in older cats, but not every cat with sneezing and chronic nosebleeds has cancer. Treatment Methods Treatment for sneezing in cats is usually planned to treat the underlying disease causing the chronic sneezing. In this way, the chronic sneezing also disappears on its own. In cases caused by viral or bacterial infections, antiviral or antibiotic medications are used for treatment. Saline nasal drops are used to quickly control sneezing. Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, can also cause sneezing. It is not possible to completely cure these diseases, but various treatment methods can alleviate the symptoms caused by the disease and improve the quality of life of cats.

Causes of Sneezing in Cats

There are many reasons that can cause sneezing in cats. Even a speck of dust entering their nose can cause sneezing. The important thing here is to pay attention to the situations that can cause a cat to sneeze constantly. Upper respiratory tract infections, exposure to toxins, dust allergy, pollen allergy, other types of allergies, foreign objects in the nose, structural abnormalities, and various cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma or lymphoma can cause sneezing in cats. Some fungal infections and dental diseases can also cause sneezing from time to time. The severity of sneezing in cats varies depending on the underlying cause. Sneezing caused by dust mites is not very serious, while sneezing caused by cancer can seriously endanger the cat's health.

Other Symptoms to Watch Out For Along with Sneezing

If there is an underlying problem causing sneezing in cats, it will also cause other symptoms. These symptoms make it easier to understand the real source of the sneezing. A wheezing sound during breathing, in addition to sneezing, indicates a problem in the lower respiratory tract. Coughing accompanied by sneezing is usually a sign of an upper respiratory tract or throat problem. Nasal discharge, nosebleeds, or dark-colored mucus may indicate an injury or infection. If you encounter such a situation, it's recommended to take a photo before showing it to your veterinarian and then clean the cat's nose. This will help the veterinarian make a more accurate and faster diagnosis. Chronic nosebleeds accompanied by sneezing are a sign of cancer. This is more common in older cats, but not every cat with sneezing and chronic nosebleeds has cancer. [

Treatment Methods]

Treatment of sneezing in cats is usually planned to treat the underlying disease causing chronic sneezing. In this way, chronic sneezing also disappears spontaneously. In cases caused by viral or bacterial infections, antiviral or antibiotic medications are used for treatment. Saline nasal drops are used to quickly control sneezing.

Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, can also cause sneezing. It is not possible to completely cure these diseases, but various treatment methods can alleviate the symptoms caused by the disease and improve the quality of life of cats.

If there are no symptoms other than the cat sneezing repeatedly for several days, the problem should be sought elsewhere. Some cat litters are dusty, and sneezing can occur in cats after changing the litter. Some detergents, candles, scented oils, or perfumes in the house can also cause cats to sneeze regularly. If you suspect that the cat started sneezing due to a change in its environment, you can clean the cat's environment with vinegar. You can check if your cat's sneezing stops this way.

If no condition causing sneezing is found in the cat or its environment, a rhinoscopy procedure is performed under general anesthesia. In this way, it is seen whether there is an abnormality in the nasal cavity. Sometimes small foreign objects, such as pieces of grass, can get stuck here and cause the cat to sneeze constantly.