Our feline friends sneeze for the same reasons humans do: usually an itch in the nose, prompted by suspended particles in the air such as dust, smoke or even their own cat fur. Sneezing is a normal, biological function when it occurs infrequently. It's even normal for a cat to throw an occasional sneezing fit.
If your cat is sneezing a lot for several days or if she shows other signs of being sick, you should take her to the veterinarian to be examined. She may have developed a respiratory infection, which is quite common in cats. A round of antibiotics should help her get back to her usual self.
Keep your cat indoors and watch for changes. But be sure to call the vet if your cat sneezes continuously or often, sneezes blood, or has other signs such as those listed above. They may be signs of an illness or condition that needs veterinary care.
Sneezing is a common symptom of upper respiratory infections (URIs) in cats. Often referred to as the “common cold” or the “cat flu”, upper respiratory infections can be viral, bacterial and even fungal, although that's less common.
The most common cause of persistent sneezing in cats is an upper respiratory tract infection, usually due to viruses such as feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus. Both these viruses are contagious between cats but cannot be caught by humans.
Our feline friends sneeze for the same reasons humans do: usually an itch in the nose, prompted by suspended particles in the air such as dust, smoke or even their own cat fur. Sneezing is a normal, biological function when it occurs infrequently. It's even normal for a cat to throw an occasional sneezing fit.
Saline nasal spray
A home remedy that'll help you answer what can I give my cat for sneezing? is saline spray. Ask your vet about using saline nasal spray and pediatric nasal sprays to help with sneezing related to dryness and congestion.
The sneezing generally lasts for only a few days and goes away on its own, requiring no treatment. If your cat sneezes only occasionally, no treatment is generally needed.
In most cases, cat colds are harmless and will go away within 1-2 weeks. You do need to monitor their health, however, and if there is no sign of improvement by the fourth day, you should make an appointment with your vet as a persisting cold that does not get treated properly may develop into pneumonia.
Sneezing. Sneezing or upper respiratory signs in cats can be a sign of stress or illness. Stress in cats can activate symptoms of a viral infection called feline herpes virus, which is very common in cats and highly contagious.
If your cat only sneezes a few times and there doesn't seem to be any other symptoms, then it may just be a tickle. This can be caused by dust, pollen, or even their own fur. There is nothing serious about a nose tickle.
Outdoor cats often catch colds from contact with other outdoor cats. However, even solitary indoor cats can come down with colds, despite an apparent lack of exposure. That's because cats don't always develop colds immediately after exposure to a virus.
URI is similar to the common cold in humans. It is especially common in cats that have been exposed to a lot of other cats, such as in an animal shelter. URI is rarely fatal and usually resolves in one to three weeks. Treatment generally consists of supportive care.
The symptoms of allergies and a cold are very similar. Both can include symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and wheezing or coughing. Typically if your cat has allergies rather than a cold it will be a chronic issue that you might notice consistently popping up over time or occurring during a specific instance.
It can cause a runny nose and eyes, and a sore throat. Other symptoms include aches and pains in the muscles and joints, mouth ulcers, dribbling, sneezing, loss of voice and fever. Cat flu is not usually serious in adult cats, however, all cats with symptoms of cat flu should see the vet.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets — including cats and dogs — have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 . This happened mostly after the animals were in close contact with people infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Coughing and sneezing is common. Signs usually resolve in 2-3 weeks but some cats are left with a long-term intermittent nasal discharge or eye disease. The second virus (feline calici virus) tends to cause less serious disease.
Fortunately, both viral infections are specific to cats and are not contagious to people.
Nasal sprays: Saline nasal spray and pediatric nasal sprays (Little Noses) can be given in kittens and cats to alleviate dryness and nasal congestion associated with a cold.
Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. Examples of some common trade names containing camphor include Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, etc. Camphor is readily absorbed across the skin, and should never be applied to dogs or cats due to risks for poisoning.
Cats that are ill will usually show changes in overall appearance, energy level, sociability, coat appearance and/or amount of shedding, appetite, litterbox usage, breathing, or discharges from the eyes or nose. In general, any sudden change should alert you that your cat needs veterinary attention.