Ah-choo! It’s admittedly endearing when your cat sneezes, but after the fourth or fifth time, you may wonder if there is a bigger issue at hand. 

Rest assured, the Parker & Ace vet team is here to answer any questions you may have—and to ensure your pet is having the happiest and healthiest life ever. Read on as we break down why cats sneeze. 

Got a question for our veterinary team? Email hello@parkerandace.com or send us a DM on Instagram (@parkerandace)

‍

REASONS YOUR CAT MIGHT BE SNEEZING

As you know, sneezing is the body’s way of getting rid of unwanted matter from the respiratory system. However, while it is something that both pets and humans do, lately you may have noticed that your furry best friend is sneezing more than you. Here are reasons why this may be occurring—and what you can do about it.

‍

Nasal Irritants

The easiest explanation for your cat’s sneezes might be caused by something in their environment—anything from dust to chemical vapors might be the culprit. If you’ve been cleaning a particularly dusty area or spraying products, you might notice a sneeze or two come out. However, the sneezing should stop once the irritant is removed from the environment.

‍

Nasal Tickles

This happens often to humans—that annoying little tickle in the nose that won’t go away. When you think about how often your pet uses their nose (from smelling items to releasing sweat from their glands), it’s easy to understand how this could be a culprit for their sudden sneezing. However, if it appears that they are getting these nasal tickles too often and you’ve cleaned their living environment, then it might be seasonal allergies. 

‍

Seasonal Allergies

Admittedly, cats don’t have reactions to allergens (like pollen) as frequently as humans, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. If you notice your cat sneezing more frequently during certain seasons—or if you find that you’re both sneezing when the seasons change—it might be the start of seasonal bonding. 

‍

Medical Causes

Similar to their humans, cats can also get colds—and simple viruses can lead to sneezing (among other symptoms, such as low energy, decreased appetite, more cat naps, etc). 

Please be aware that cat sneezing can also be a symptom of Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) or     Feline Calicivirus (FCV), both which can cause upper respiratory infections. 

Alternatively, your cat may have a particular feline infection that has spread to their respiratory system. These can include feline leukemia, bordetella, mycoplasma, FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), or even fungal infections.

If you’re unsure whether this might be the case (or any of the other potential causes as listed above), remember you can always contact your Parker & Ace vet team and bring in your pet for a complimentary consultation.

‍

CONTACT PARKER & ACE ASAP IF ANY OF THESE OCCUR:

• Frequent sneezing accompanied by unusually foul-smelling breath or discharge of the nose, eyes, and/or mouth
• Sneezing that results in blood in the nostrils or mucus
• Behavioral changes such as lethargy or lack of appetite

‍

Remember, Parker & Ace provides a full scope of wellness & preventive care—and 24/7 chat & video calls for added support. Get in touch with us (for any reason) by logging in to the member portal. 

Seeking to understand your pet more? Send in your ‘Ask P&A’ questions to hello@parkerandace.com.

‍