Cat Sneezing: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Guide

Cat Sneezing: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Guide

As a responsible cat owner, you need to provide your cat with enough food and water, and also pay attention to their health. For mammals, sneezing is a common thing. Any situation that causes nasal discomfort can be solved with a sneeze.

Cats are the same. They sneeze for the same reasons as humans, such as air pollutants, allergens, and infectious particles. Generally, it’s not unusual for cats to sneeze occasionally. However, if your cat starts sneezing frequently, especially several times in a row, you should immediately pay attention.

Generally, cats sneezing frequently indicates a problem with their body, such as cat allergies, viral infections, chronic rhinitis, or nasal congestion. These can all lead to frequent sneezing.

When you observe that your cat is unwell, you need to further analyze the cause. However, sneezing, a common symptom, is really difficult to distinguish which disease the cat has. For this reason, we will organize some of the causes and symptoms of cat sneezing, and provide corresponding solutions to help you quickly identify the cause of your cat's illness and take appropriate measures.

I. What are the causes of cat sneezing?

There are many reasons why cats sneeze, some are common, some are more serious. Here are some common causes of cat sneezing:

1. Allergies

Like humans, cats can also be affected by allergens in their surroundings. Cats smell irritants, just like humans sneeze when they smell pepper. Some smoke or steam in the air can cause cats to sneeze.

Generally, this kind of sneeze is only a single time, and the owner doesn't need to worry. Cats with allergic diseases will sneeze more frequently than other normal cats.

Solution: If your cat sneezes at a certain time of the year or at a certain time of day every year, it can be confirmed that the cat is sneezing because of allergies. In this case, it is best to seek professional help from a veterinarian. Veterinarians will diagnose and treat the cat based on its specific condition, such as using anti-allergic drugs, avoiding contact with allergens, etc.

2. Viral infections

Cats can get infectious diseases even if they don't go outside. Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms include persistent sneezing, accompanied by tearing, fever, coughing, mouth ulcers, and loss of appetite.

If your cat is often outdoors and interacts with other feral cats, be aware that your cat may have contracted herpesvirus or calicivirus. Both viruses are highly contagious in cats and can cause symptoms such as runny nose and frequent sneezing.

Solution: It is best to take your cat to the veterinary hospital for treatment. The veterinarian will check which virus is causing the cat to sneeze frequently and develop a treatment plan. Generally, drugs for treating viral infections include antiviral drugs and supportive care drugs, such as antibiotics, cough suppressants, etc.

3. Chronic rhinitis

Cats often sneeze, breathe heavily, and have a foul-smelling nasal discharge, so they may have a bacterial infection. If the bacterial infection in a cat is not treated effectively, it will slowly develop into chronic rhinitis. At this time, if the cat feels uncomfortable or uncomfortable, it will sneeze frequently, similar to a human nose cold.

Solution: If chronic rhinitis in cats is not treated effectively, it can worsen into pneumonia, so you must not take it lightly. If your cat develops any abnormalities, it is best to consult a veterinarian immediately and ask them to help with targeted treatment. Treatment for chronic rhinitis usually involves the use of antibiotics, and some adjunctive treatments may be needed, such as cleaning nasal discharge, using nasal sprays, etc.

4. Sinusitis

When the paranasal sinuses at the back of the cat's nasal cavity become inflamed, sinusitis can produce the following symptoms: frequent runny nose, nasal swelling due to inflammation, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, etc.

Solution: When you are not sure why your cat is sneezing, you can feed them some anti-inflammatory drugs in the early stage. If the condition does not improve, you should consult a doctor. Treatment of sinusitis usually requires the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and some adjunctive therapies may be needed, such as nasal sprays, etc.

5. Chlamydophila felis infection

In addition to sneezing and runny nose, another feature of Chlamydophila felis infection is that there will be more gingiva. If the symptoms are too severe, the gingiva will cause conjunctivitis and respiratory inflammation.

Solution: Chlamydophila felis infection is highly contagious, so it needs to be treated promptly once it is found. Treatment of Chlamydophila felis infection usually requires the use of antibiotics, and some adjunctive therapies may be needed, such as cleaning eye secretions, using eye drops, etc.

6. Feline calicivirus infection

After being infected, the cat will have symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and fever. In severe cases, it will be accompanied by stomatitis, leading to decreased appetite and increased saliva production.

Solution: Immediately send the cat to a veterinary hospital for treatment. During treatment, the home needs to be thoroughly disinfected. It is best not to raise other pets for half a year. Treatment of feline calicivirus infection usually requires the use of antiviral drugs and supportive care drugs, such as antibiotics, cough suppressants, etc.

7. Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis symptoms include sneezing, purulent nasal discharge, nosebleeds, and loss of appetite. In addition, it will also affect the respiratory system, so it may suddenly snore. In severe cases, infection can spread to the central nervous system, causing seizures, movement disorders, optic neuritis, or retinal detachment, etc.

Solution: Regularly deworm your cat internally and externally, get your cat vaccinated on time, and it is best to keep your cat from going out to prevent the cat from being infected with viruses. Treatment of cryptococcosis usually requires the use of antifungal drugs, and some adjunctive therapies may be needed, such as cleaning nasal discharge, using nasal sprays, etc.

8. Feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline rhinotracheitis)

Or feline viral rhinotracheitis symptoms, have more eye mucus, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, fever, and more tears than usual. If the symptoms are more serious, it can cause keratitis, conjunctivitis and rhinitis.

Solution: The virus causing feline viral rhinotracheitis is highly contagious and can be transmitted through various cat products. When the cat is sick and receiving treatment, the home needs to be thoroughly disinfected, and cat supplies also need to be exposed to the sun. Treatment of feline viral rhinotracheitis usually requires the use of antiviral drugs and supportive care drugs, such as antibiotics, cough suppressants, etc.

II. How to tell if a cat has a cold or a cold?

Many diseases have sneezing symptoms in their early stages. So, is it a simple cold or a feline cold? The following three points can help you distinguish quickly.

1. Does the sneezing happen continuously?
2. Does the sneezing last for days on end?
3. Does sneezing come with a runny nose or snot?

A cold is mainly caused by the body catching a cold, and the symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Mental state and appetite will not be greatly affected, and there are no other symptoms.

Feline upper respiratory infection (FURS) is similar to a common cold in the early stages, also sneezing and runny nose, but it can also cause fever, paroxysmal coughing, increased tearing, eyes blocked by secretions, conjunctivitis, purulent secretions, fever, etc. In the early stages, the main way to distinguish is based on body temperature.

III. Symptoms and Treatment of Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (FURS)

Here, I will focus on the knowledge of feline upper respiratory infection. Feline upper respiratory infection is not terrible. As long as it is detected in time and a correct judgment is made, the condition can be effectively prevented from worsening.

(1) How to tell?

The symptoms of feline upper respiratory infection can be similar to a common cold, and many new cat owners cannot distinguish between the two symptoms. Here's how to tell.

A cold is mainly caused by the body catching a cold, and the symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Mental state and appetite will not be greatly affected, and there are no other symptoms.

Feline upper respiratory infection (FURS) is similar to a common cold in the early stages, also sneezing and runny nose, but it can also cause fever, paroxysmal coughing, increased tearing, eyes blocked by secretions, conjunctivitis, purulent secretions, fever, etc. In the early stages, the main way to distinguish is based on body temperature.

(2) How to confirm?

Before treatment, measure the cat's body temperature. If the temperature rises to 39.5 degrees Celsius or higher, the cat will feel hot. Please take the cat to a veterinary hospital to lower the fever. If the measured temperature is between 38.5 and 39 degrees Celsius, don't worry too much. It's just a slight fever, so you can pay more attention.

(3) Precautions during treatment

a. No bathing Bathing will worsen the condition, prolong treatment time, and may even lead to death of kittens.
b. Avoid going out (please send the cat to the veterinary hospital in a cat cage). The cat's resistance is weak during illness, and it is easy to get reinfected with germs and bacteria, leading to skin diseases. Or transmit the virus to other cats.
c. Continue taking lysine during treatment. Stop eating if you don't see improvement.
d. Postpone vaccination. The most basic requirement for vaccination is good health and no symptoms. To get vaccinated, you need to cure the disease first.

IV. How to prevent disease?

Cat sneezing is their way of asking for help from their owner, a sign of illness. The most important thing to prevent these viruses is to prevent disease!

Among these diseases, some can be prevented by vaccination, so you can get your kitten fully vaccinated, which can avoid many disease risks. In addition, you can also take the following measures:

1. Pay attention to keeping the environment well-ventilated and clean.

Inhaling hair, dust, and invisible mites in the air can make sensitive cats sneeze repeatedly. Cats with sensitive respiratory tracts often sneeze when they inhale irritating odors.

If you find that your cat sneezes repeatedly every time it uses cat litter, you should completely replace the cat litter. Pay attention to the hygiene of the cat's living environment and keep the indoor environment well-ventilated and dry.

2. Be careful of colds.

When the temperature drops sharply and it rains, try not to let your cat go outside to avoid catching a cold. When bathing your cat, be sure to dry its hair promptly. Kittens and older cats have weak resistance and are easily prone to colds, which can lead to other diseases.

Cats usually sneeze and have a runny nose. If there is no sign of fever, pay attention to keeping warm after taking medicine and try not to disturb the cat's rest. If the cat has a fever, be sure to take it to the veterinary hospital for injection treatment promptly.

3. Do a good job of preventing feline upper respiratory infection (FURS) virus.

Feline upper respiratory infection (FURS) is a feline rhinotracheitis, which spreads rapidly. It is a highly acute infectious disease that infects the upper respiratory tract of cats, so it is also called infectious rhinotracheitis.

The incubation period of feline upper respiratory infection (FURS) is 2-6 days. Early symptoms will be sneezing, tearing, coughing, loss of appetite, lethargy, and the start of nasal discharge. As the disease progresses, the secretions will gradually increase and become thicker. Kittens are more susceptible than adult cats and have a higher mortality rate.

Spring is the peak season for feline upper respiratory infection (FURS). During this period, it is recommended that cats do not go outdoors and avoid contact with sick stray cats. If you find that your cat has contracted feline upper respiratory infection (FURS), you must isolate the cat, disinfect the environment, give the cat medicine for a long time, control and stabilize the condition.

Cats, which look soft and cute, are very tolerant of illness. They won't easily reveal their discomfort, and they don't sound like dogs asking for help. At this time, they need their owner's careful observation even more.

No matter what kind of pet you raise, we all need to take responsibility. I hope this article will help you become a responsible cat owner, and I hope all pets can live a healthy life with their owners.

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