Just like humans, sneezing is a natural physiological reaction in cats. However, when sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms, there is a chance that the cat may be suffering from a more serious illness, and owners should be extra vigilant. Below, PET-A-HOOD summarizes the causes of sneezing in cats, the symptoms owners should look out for, and ways to prevent them:
Causes of sneezing in cats
1. Something gets into your cat's nose
If your cat sneezes just a few times, it could be that something (such as dust) has gotten into your cat's nose and needs to be expelled through sneezing.
2. Temperature difference
Whether it's the difference in temperature between morning and evening in the spring and fall, or going in and out of an air-conditioned room in the summer, changes in environment and temperature can easily cause your cat to become allergic, sneeze and have a runny nose.
3. Allergens/Pollutants
Some people sneeze when they smell perfume, and some people are allergic to pollen. Other irritants such as litter dust, dust bugs, mold and mildew may trigger this immune response too.
4. Illness (cat colds/sinusitis)
If your cat is sneezing, has a runny nose, or even has difficulty breathing, they may have a sinus infection or upper respiratory tract infection. The causes of upper respiratory tract infections in cats include feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and feline capillaris, which are three major infectious diseases that can lead to more serious health problems. Owners should seek medical attention as soon as possible if their cat is suspected of having these infections!
When should the owner seek medical advice?
If your cat has any of the following symptoms in addition to sneezing, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible:
- Sneezing that lasts for several days and becomes more frequent
- Poor appetite and energy
- Nasal discharge / runny nose
- Fever
- Red and congested eyes that are difficult to open
- Thick, yellowish-green nasal discharge
- Tears with discharge
- Blisters, swelling and ulcers in the mouth
Preventing your cat from sneezing
1. Pay attention to the room temperature
To prevent your cat from catching a cold, avoid running your air-conditioner too cold or having it blowing directly against your cat. In autumn and winter, pet owners can also uses scarves or clothes to keep their cats warm.
２. Regular Vaccinations
The common 5-in-1 vaccine for cats is effective in preventing feline distemper, feline rhinobronchitis, feline calcinosis, feline lancelet pneumonia and feline leukemia. It is recommended that pet owners follow the instructions of their veterinarians and take their cats for regular vaccinations.
3. Nutritional supplements
Whether your cat sneezes because of allergies or viral infections, it is most likely caused by a lack of immunity. To boost your cat's immune system, it's a good idea to use natural nutritional supplements in addition to a healthy diet!
With Taiwan's professional veterinarians and traditional Chinese medicine teams, Local brand Royal Pet formulates a golden ratio of pure chicken essence that is suitable for dogs and cats to effectively strengthen their immunity.
Pure Chicken Essence with Goji, is not only for daily health care, but also for cats and dogs with eye care needs. (Special DEALS price for PET-A-HOOD members: HK$288 / 10 packs)
4. Keep the environment clean
Dust mites, hair, and odors in the air can cause your cat to sneeze. Creating a fresh air environment is good for the health of both pet owners and cats!
The new Philips Pet Air Purifier AC3681/10 is equipped with a patented automatic fluffing cleaning system, which effectively solves the three major problems of "floating pet hair, pet odor and allergens".
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Equipped with NanoProtect nano HEPA filter, Philips Pet Air Purifier AC3681/10 removes >98% of cat and dog allergens*** and 99.9% of viruses and bacteria ****.
***Third-party laboratory testing with reference to the GB/T 18801-2022 national standard for air purifiers, dust mite allergen Der f1 removal rate is tested in a 30-cubic-meter experimental chamber after the machine maintains Turbo mode operation for 60 minutes. In actual use scenarios, different use effects may be caused by factors such as house size, house ventilation, outdoor air conditions, and continuous release of allergens.
****Tested and nominal by a third-party laboratory in accordance with the GBT/18801-2022 standard. The measured values are the test results of the prototype sent for testing, and there may be slight differences in the measured values of each device.
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